Stephen Goldblatt was born on April 29, 1945 in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved with his family to London when he was seven years old. By the time he was twenty, Goldblatt was already working as a professional photographer for the Times Newspaper Group, capturing memorable images that appeared on the covers and pages of many British and European newspapers and magazines. Goldblatt's photographs ranged from the somber portrayal of Churchill's funeral and lively vignettes of London life to unforgettable centerfolds on various rock stars, including The Beatles and The Who. Goldblatt attended Guildford School of Art and the Royal College of Art Film School.
Goldblatt's early film work is represented almost exclusively by Granada's television series, Disappearing World. From 1975 onwards, he sold all his equipment and focused his career on cinematography working eventually on notable films like The Hunger, Cotton Club, the first two Lethal Weapon movies, and Prince of Tides among many others.
It is, however, Goldblatt's work with Mike Nichols on Angels in America, Closer and Charlie Wilson's War that clearly demonstrates his closest artistic collaboration to date. Most recently Goldblatt was the Director of Photography on Julie and Julia starring Meryl Streep and directed by Nora Ephron, and in 2011 The Help starring Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer directed by Tate Taylor.
In the late 1990's, during a "film sabbatical" and after many years of only taking snapshots, Goldblatt built a darkroom and began to photograph his life and surroundings again. He now lives in Berkeley, California and has three grown children. When he is at home, Goldblatt enjoys tending to his pond and koi fish, gardening, playing his guitar, cooking, reading everyday, and mastering the art of husbanding with his wife Deborah.