Matthew Libatique Biography: Wife, Net Worth, Height, Age, Children, Awards, Ethnicity, Parents
Matthew José Libatique, professionally known as Matthew Libatique, is an American cinematographer celebrated for his distinctive visual style and long-running collaborations with filmmakers such as Darren Aronofsky, Spike Lee, Joel Schumacher, Jon Favreau, and Bradley Cooper.
He has earned three Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography for Black Swan, A Star Is Born, and Maestro, alongside major recognition from the Independent Spirit Awards, BAFTA, and other film organizations.
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Matthew José Libatique |
| Stage Name: | Matthew Libatique |
| Born: | July 19, 1968 (age 58 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | Filipino American |
| Height: | 175cm (5 ft 9 in) |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Justiniáno Libatique and Georgina José Libatique |
| Siblings: | David Libatique |
| Spouse: | Mary-Ellen Libatique |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Ezekiel Libatique, Audrey Libatique |
| Occupation: | Cinematographer |
| Net Worth: | $4 million |
Early Life and Education
Matthew José Libatique was born on July 19, 1968, in Elmhurst, Queens, New York City, to Filipino immigrant parents Justiniáno Libatique and Georgina José Libatique. His father came from Dagupan in the Philippines, while his mother was from Lucena.
Matthew has spoken proudly about his Filipino heritage and remained closely connected to his family’s culture.
His brother David is also part of his close family circle. He is of Filipino – American heritage and his religion is Christianity.
Photography became part of Matthew Libatique‘s life at an early age. His father was an amateur photographer who worked at a film laboratory in New York and gave his son a Nikon camera.
Matthew later recalled that his father taught him the fundamentals of photography before he understood that those lessons would eventually become central to his career.
His father died in 1993, when Matthew was 25 years old.
Matthew studied sociology and communications at California State University, Fullerton.
He subsequently attended the American Film Institute Conservatory, earning an MFA in cinematography.
During his time at AFI, he met Darren Aronofsky, beginning a creative partnership that would become one of the defining collaborations of his career.
In 2024, AFI awarded him the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal for his contribution to visual storytelling.
Career
Matthew Libatique began his professional career as a cinematographer in the early 1990s, working on short films, music videos, and independent productions.
His early music-video work included projects for artists such as Tracy Chapman, and his background in photography helped shape the visual approach he later brought to feature films.
His meeting with Darren Aronofsky at AFI proved particularly important, as the pair went on to collaborate on numerous acclaimed productions.
Matthew served as cinematographer on Aronofsky‘s Pi (1998), Requiem for a Dream (2000), The Fountain (2006), Black Swan (2010), Noah (2014), and mother! (2017).
His work on Requiem for a Dream earned him the Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography, while Black Swan brought his visual work to an even wider international audience.
He received his first Academy Award nomination for Black Swan, alongside a BAFTA nomination and numerous critics’ awards.
Matthew‘s career also expanded into major studio productions.
He served as director of photography on Tigerland, Phone Booth, The Number 23, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Cowboys & Aliens, Straight Outta Compton, Venom, and Birds of Prey.
He also collaborated extensively with Spike Lee on films including She Hate Me, Inside Man, Miracle at St. Anna, and Chi-Raq.
Matthew received another Academy Award nomination for A Star Is Born (2018), Bradley Cooper‘s directorial debut, and later reunited with Cooper for Maestro (2023), earning his third Oscar nomination.
His other major credits include The Whale, Don’t Worry Darling, Women Talking, and Highest 2 Lowest. His recent work also includes Is This Thing On? and Caught Stealing, continuing his long-running professional relationship with Aronofsky and Cooper.
Awards
- 1999: Chlotrudis Award — Best Cinematography for Pi
- 2001: Independent Spirit Award — Best Cinematography for Requiem for a Dream
- 2011: Independent Spirit Award — Best Cinematography for Black Swan
- 2011: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award — Best Cinematography for Black Swan
- 2011: New York Film Critics Circle Award — Best Cinematographer for Black Swan
- 2018: Hollywood Film Award — Cinematographer of the Year for A Star Is Born
- 2019: Satellite Award — Best Cinematography for A Star Is Born
- 2024: Satellite Award — Best Cinematography for Maestro
- 2024: Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal — American Film Institute
- Academy Award nominations: Best Cinematography for Black Swan (2010), A Star Is Born (2018), and Maestro (2023)
- BAFTA nominations: Best Cinematography for Black Swan and Maestro
Social Media
- Instagram: @libatique
Personal Life
Matthew Libatique, 58 years old. He was previously married to Magela Crosignani until 2017. He is currently married to Mary-Ellen Libatique, a film professional and former attorney. They married in Malibu in 2021.
Matthew also has two children, a son named Ezekiel and a daughter named Audrey. He has spoken publicly about the importance of his mother and children, including taking his children to the Philippines so they could experience their family’s heritage alongside their grandmother.
Photography remains an important personal interest for Matthew, reflecting the influence of his father and his early experience using a camera.
He has also maintained a strong connection to Filipino culture and enjoys Filipino food, particularly sinigang; he has mentioned preparing dishes such as sinigang and arroz caldo himself.
His creative interests extend beyond cinematography into photography, painting, music, and visual experimentation.
In discussing his approach to cinematography, he has said that photography and painting are important visual references for him.
Matthew has also maintained professional connections to the Philippine film community and has participated in cinematography masterclasses in the Philippines.
He became an associate or honorary associate member of the Lupon ng Pilipinong Sinematograpo, reflecting his continuing connection to Filipino cinematographers.
Net Worth
Matthew Libatique has a net worth of $4 million. His professional earnings come primarily from his decades-long career as a cinematographer and director of photography on independent films, major Hollywood productions, music videos, commercials, and other visual projects.
His work on successful films such as Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Black Swan, A Star Is Born, Venom, The Whale, and Maestro has contributed substantially to his career profile and professional income.
Filmography
- Pi (1998)
- Requiem for a Dream (2000)
- The Fountain (2006)
- Inside Man (2006)
- Black Swan (2010)
- Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
- Venom (2018)
- A Star Is Born (2018)
- Birds of Prey (2020)
- Noah (2014)
- Mother! (2017)
- The Whale (2022)
- Maestro (2023)
- Highest 2 Lowest (2025)
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