Peter Gimbel

Peter Gimbel (1927–1987) was an American underwater diver, filmmaker, and explorer. He is best known for his documentary films about the underwater world, including the critically acclaimed Blue Water, White Death.

Early life

Peter Gimbel was born in New York City in 1927. He was the son of Bernard Gimbel, the president of the Gimbel Brothers Department Store. Despite his family's wealth, Gimbel chose to pursue a career in exploration and filmmaking, rather than joining the family business.

Career

Gimbel's career in underwater exploration began in the 1950s, when he became one of the first people to use scuba diving equipment. He was also one of the first to film underwater using color film.

In 1965, Gimbel led an expedition to the Andrea Doria, an Italian ocean liner that had sunk off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts in 1956. The expedition was the first to successfully retrieve artifacts from the ship, and Gimbel's film of the expedition, Andrea Doria: The Final Chapter, won an Emmy Award.

Gimbel's most famous film, Blue Water, White Death, was released in 1971. The film followed Gimbel and a team of divers as they searched for great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. The film was a commercial and critical success, and is considered a classic of underwater filmmaking.

Personal life and death

Gimbel was married to Elga Andersen, a German actress and singer. They had no children. Gimbel died in 1987 from lung cancer.

Legacy

Gimbel's films have had a lasting impact on the field of underwater filmmaking. His use of color film and his innovative filming techniques have influenced many subsequent filmmakers. In addition, his expeditions to the Andrea Doria and his search for great white sharks have inspired many other underwater explorers.

See also

• Underwater diving
• Underwater photography
• Andrea Doria

References

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