Bob Gunton – Actor Portraits, Los Angeles (Rory Lewis Photographer 2020)
In April 2020, I had the pleasure of photographing acclaimed American actor Bob Gunton at my Los Angeles studio. Known for his commanding presence on both stage and screen, Bob is celebrated for portraying formidable, authoritative characters—most memorably Warden Samuel Norton in The Shawshank Redemption. His screen credits also include Demolition Man, Patch Adams, Argo, Daredevil, 24, and Desperate Housewives.
Beyond his extensive film and television work, Bob is a distinguished theatre actor. He originated the role of Juan Perónin the Broadway premiere of Evita and starred as Sweeney Todd in the 1989 revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street—earning two Tony Award nominations, along with Drama Desk, Obie, and Clarence Derwent Awards.
During our session we spent an hour crafting a series of theatrical, expressive portraits—images that capture the intensity, nuance, and animation that define Bob’s work. Between frames, we spoke about The Shawshank Redemption—a personal favourite—and reflected on the enduring impact of his iconic performance.
Bob Gunton – Actor Portraits, Los Angeles (Rory Lewis Photographer 2020)