Jan de Bont

Born: October 22 1943
Where: Eindhoven, The Netherlands

The prolific cinematographer and producer arrived with a bang when he made his directial debut with the hi-octane thriller Speed.

The chase caper, starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, won Oscars for best sound and best effects.

Prior to directing, de Bont, who is one of 14 children, was a regular collaborator as a cameraman with Paul Verhoeven, starting with Diary of a Hooker in 1971.

A graduate of Amstersdam film school, he worked with the Dutch director for 20 years until Basic Instinct in 1982.

Even a mauling from a lion on the set of Lion! in 1981 couldn't put him off his stride.

Utilising a fast style incorporating handheld cameras, he specialised in horror (Cujo), drama (I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can) and teen movies (All the Right Moves).

During the mid-1980s he directed the photography for blockbusters including Jewel of the Nile and The Clan of the Cave Bear.

Die Hard established De Bont in Hollywood and he stayed with the genre with The Hunt for Red October, Black Rain and Lethal Weapon 3 while also lensing thrillers such as Flatliners and Shining Through.

After his directorial debut with Speed he helmed the less successful Twister and the, frankly, woeful Speed 2: Cruise Control.

He tried his hand at producing with SLC Punk and The Haunting (which he also directed)as well as the sci-fi action movies Minority Report and Equilibrium.

He returned to the director's chair for Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life starring Angelina Jolie.