McLean was born in Santa Monica, California, the son of George McLean ( and Dorothy Jane (née Scott) and raised in the San Fernando Valley. His uncle was an actor and his step-father, Fred Jackman, Junior., son of the second president of the ASC, was a cinematographer.
He attended North Hollywood High School. McLean attended University of Southern California on a football scholarship.
McLean"s family was highly involved in the entertainment industry. He then opened a pool hall and a body and fender shop in Van Nuys, California. McLean"s step-father introduced him to the camera department at Columbia Pictures.
McLean got his first job in 1966 as a clapper boy on a television series called "The Iron Horse".
He worked 10 days during the first year and one day the next year. In 1969 McLean became a second assistant cameraman at Universal Studios, working on many difference shows.
The first feature film that he worked on was "Red Sky at Morning" with Vilmos Zsigmond. Vilmos promoted Nick to operator.
He did all the aerials on his films, and also on some commercials even after he became a cinematographer.
McLean"s first movie as a cinematographer was "Stroker Ace". Burt Reynolds then asked Nick to shoot "Evening Shade", which became a highly popular sit-committee McLean continued to work on various film and television projects, as camera operator, cinematographer and director of photography.
1966 The Iron Horse 1970 Red Sky at Morning 1970 The Touch of Satan/Curse of Melissa/Night of the Demon 1972 Domo Arigato/Thank You Very Much 1973 The Sugerland Express 1973 Cinderella Liberty 1973 Larry 1974 Funny Lady 1975 Obsession 1975 Sweet Revenge/Dandy, the All American Girl 1975 Marathon Manitoba 1976 Exorcist II The Heretic 1976 Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1976 Looking for Mr.
Goodbar 1977 The Deer Hunter 1977 Heaven Can Wait 1978 The Rose 1979 Being There/Chance /High Encounters (of the Ultimate Kind) 1980 Honky Tonk Freeway 1980 Rich and Famous 1981 Sharky"s Machine 1981 The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas 1982 Kiss Maine Goodbye as director 1989 Bachelor of Laws 1991 Burt Reynolds" Conversations with.
