John A. Bonner Medals of Commendation

The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted N. Paul Kenworthy Jr. the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation. The medal will be presented during the Scientific and Technical Awards presentation dinner on Saturday, March 3, 2001.

Kenworthy will receive the Bonner Medal for his pioneering efforts and innovations in the design of equipment for shooting feature films using optical relays. Since 1950 he has been innovative in the development of various devices to capture close-up images of desert reptiles and arachnids, as illustrated in such films as Disney's "The Living Desert."

Throughout his career, Kenworthy continued to develop numerous types of optical relays for shooting film from various camera points-of-view. In 1977, Kenworthy, along with William R. Latady, received a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy for the invention and development of the snorkel camera system.

"Every cameraman knows Paul Kenworthy," said Richard Edlund, chairman of the Scientific and Technical Awards Committee. "Over the years his work has furthered the field of photography. Kenworthy is absolutely the right man to receive the Bonner Medal."

Two years ago, Kenworthy was honored by the Disney Foundation as a "living legend" for his body of work for the Walt Disney Studio. The unique shots captured by the snorkel cameras of Kenworthy, still active today, can be seen in such features as "The Green Mile" and "Gone in 60 Seconds."

Named in honor of the late director of special projects at Warner Hollywood Studios, the Bonner Medal is awarded for "outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy."

The invitation-only Scientific and Technical Awards dinner will be held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.