John R. Leonetti

John R. Leonetti (John Robert Leonetti) is an American cinematographer and film director whose career spans over four decades of genre filmmaking. Born on July 4, 1956 in California, United States, he grew up immersed in the movie‑making world thanks to his father Frank Leonetti, a seasoned gaffer whose work on classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Singin' in the Rain gave the young John early exposure to professional lighting and equipment. As a teenager he began working for the family motion‑picture equipment business, learning the trade hands‑on and developing a keen eye for visual storytelling that would later define his cinematographic style. Leonetti’s first credited work as a cinematographer appeared in the early 1980s, and throughout the 1990s he became known for his collaborations on a series of high‑octane horror and thriller projects, most notably the Final Destination franchise and the Annabelle series, where his slick camera movement and atmospheric lighting earned him a reputation for amplifying suspense. In 1997 he made his directorial debut with Mimic 2, marking the transition from behind‑the‑camera craft to the director’s chair; since then he has helmed several commercially successful horror entries, including The Possession (2012) and Annabelle (2014), proving his versatility in both visual and narrative aspects of filmmaking. Leonetti’s brother, Matthew F. Leonetti, is also an acclaimed cinematographer, creating a family legacy that continues to influence contemporary genre cinema. Beyond his film work, Leonetti is a member of the American Society of Cinematographers, and his contributions have been recognized for blending practical lighting techniques with modern digital aesthetics, thereby shaping the look of modern horror and thriller productions.