Greg Brunton, Noted Lighting Designer, Dies at 73

	Greg Brunton

Gregory Rankin Brunton, of Palm Springs, California passed away peacefully at his residence on July 12, 2020 with his caring and loving husband, Brian Mitchell Wolbaum at his side. He was 73.

Brunton was born in Athens County, Ohio on November 18, 1946, the first of six children to the late Rankin Gerald Brunton and Barbara Ann Richardson Brunton.

After graduating from Marietta High School in the class of 1964, Brunton continued his education at Kent State University, where he studied broadcast/theatre and served as president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. After receiving a bachelor of science degree in fine and professional arts in 1969, he began a lengthy and accomplished career in the broadcast/theatre industry. His first job was shooting movie wraparounds with Don Imus at WUAB TV in Cleveland, Ohio. The evangelist, Rex Humbard of the Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Cathedral of Tomorrow, followed in hiring him for commercial lighting.

Brunton moved from Ohio roots to pursue a successful stint lighting Sesame Street before joining Imero Fiorentino for seven years. In 1980, he moved to Los Angeles as an entertainment lighting designer with Design Partners Inc. where he remained for 33 years.

During his 50 years in film/television, and theatrical lighting and design, he won many awards and industry recognition for his work, including 14 nominations for Emmys, winning three times. He not only enjoyed career success, but he also enjoyed sharing his knowledge by mentoring many in his profession.

From early in life, Brunton was an avid fan of theatre, a love he shared with his husband in their many trips to both on and off Broadway shows in New York City. Another great passion of theirs has been the many cats and dogs they have rescued over the years to be part of their family.

Brunton will be dearly missed by many family and friends who span the country. In addition to Wolbaum, he is survived by three brothers, Geoff (Shelley West), Chris (Candy), and Bruce (Nanette), all of Marietta, Ohio, and his sisters, Ann Brunton-Cohen (Jerald) of Hudson, Ohio and Susan Brunton-Reinmann (James) of Avon Lake, Ohio as well as many adoring nieces and nephews.

No memorial services are planned. Any memorials in Greg's name can be made to The Trevor Project at the URL below.