Education
Murphy was educated in English and American schools before she set her sights on an acting career and attended the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and Pembroke College.
Murphy was educated in English and American schools before she set her sights on an acting career and attended the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City and Pembroke College.
In order to become "more American", she worked as a trick rider with a rodeo for a season. In 1954, she "crashed" the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden on opening night and performed as a clown for the entire evening. The resulting publicity helped Murphy land a job as a still photographer with the traveling circus and eventually led to her to Hollywood.
In 1980, she was the first female director of photography on a major studio picture, Fatso.
She was also nominated for four Emmys for cinematography, winning for outstanding cinematography for the series Highway to Heaven in 1985. On August 20, 2003, Brianne Murphy died of lung and brain cancer, aged 70, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Won: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children"s Programming Foreign: National Broadcasting Company Special Treat (Foreign the episode "Five Finger Discount", 1975) Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Miniseries or a Special Foreign: There Were Times, Dear (1987) Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Series Foreign: Highway to Heaven (Foreign the episode "A Match Made in Heaven", 1985) Nominated: Outstanding Cinematography for a Series Foreign: Breaking Away (Foreign the episode "Louisiana Strada", 1980) Won: Scientific and Engineering Award Plaque for the concept, design and manufacture of the MISI Camera Insert Carolina and Process Trailer (Shared with Donald Schisler, 1982) Recipient - Crystal Award for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry. (1984) Recipient - Lucy Award in recognition of her excellence and innovation in her creative works that have enhanced the perception of women through the medium of television