Ross McDonnell was a photographer, cinematographer, and director who won Emmy Awards for his work on the documentaries “The First Wave” and “The Trade.” He went missing in New York in November 2023.
- Died: November 2023
- Details of death: Died in New York City after going missing at the age of 44.
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Ross McDonnell’s legacy
Ross McDonnell began his career in the visual arts as a photographer. His work with the lens is featured in the 2021 book, “Joyrider.” He transitioned to movies in 2010 when he co-directed “Colony,” a documentary about bee colony collapse disorder. The film won the IDFA First Feature Award. This was followed in 2017 with “Elián,” a film about Cuban refugee Elián González which was nominated for an Emmy Award.
McDonnell won his first Emmy for his cinematography work on “The Trade,” a Showtime docu-series about a variety of illicit industries. He won another for “The First Wave,” a documentary about the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
McDonnell went missing in New York City on November 4, 2023. His body was found several weeks later. Investigators could not determine a cause of death but reported that no foul play was suspected.
Tributes to Ross McDonnell
Full obituary: Entertainment Weekly
