Charlie Gruet

Biography

Charlie Gruet is an accomplished Cinematographer and Director with over two decades of experience working across New York, Los Angeles, and internationally. Charlie seamlessly blends compelling imagery with emotional depth, crafting narratives that resonate with audiences. His expertise spans comedy, drama, and documentary filmmaking, offering a versatile approach to storytelling. Charlie’s career highlights include serving as the Film Unit Director of Photography for Saturday Night Live during its Emmy-winning Seasons 42 and 43. During his tenure, he worked with A-list talent on sketches that have become part of pop culture history, honing his ability to adapt cinematic techniques to a variety of comedic and narrative styles. Following his time at SNL, Charlie was the Director of Photography for the critically acclaimed series The Other Two (HBO/Max). Collaborating with creators Chris Kelly and Sarah Schneider, he brought a refined visual sensibility to the show. In addition to cinematography, Charlie directed the Season 2 finale as well as two episodes in Season 3. Charlie served as one of the Directors of Photography for all four seasons of HBO’s critically acclaimed series High Maintenance. The show, created by Katja Blichfeld and Ben Sinclair, was celebrated for its unique storytelling, capturing intimate character portraits and vibrant slices of New York City life. Charlie’s cinematography played a pivotal role in shaping the show’s aesthetic, blending naturalistic lighting and dynamic compositions to reflect the authenticity and diversity of the city’s narratives. His collaboration with the creators resulted in episodes that ranged from deeply emotional to whimsically humorous, making High Maintenance a standout in modern television. In feature films, Charlie has worked with prominent comedy talents on projects like Most Likely to Murder and Big Brother Volcano. He has also directed short films for Freakonomics Radio, blending documentary and fiction with sharp humor. In drama, Charlie showcased his versatility as the DP for Hulu’s Tell Me Lies, a gripping series starring Grace Van Patten and Jackson White. Charlie worked with notable directors, including Robin Wright and Isabel Sandoval, to capture its nuanced narrative. Charlie’s documentary work has garnered critical acclaim, including Meet the Hitlers, Confessions of a Superhero, and PBS’s emmy-nominated The Self-Made Man. His ability to create intimate, visually engaging documentaries is further highlighted in projects for CNN Heroes and Stand Up 2 Cancer. A proud member of the International Cinematographers Guild (Local 600) and the Directors Guild of America, Charlie continues to push creative boundaries.