Ted Tetzlaff, a renowned cinematographer, was born in 1903 in Los Angeles, California, to a family with a rich history in the entertainment industry. His father, Teddy Tetzlaff, Sr., was a skilled racecar driver and movie stuntman who appeared in numerous silent films, including the racing movies of the legendary Wallace Reid. These films featured Reid in thrilling stunts, such as The Roaring Road (1919),Double Speed (1920),Excuse My Dust (1920),Too Much Speed (1921),and Across the Continent (1922).
Ted Tetzlaff, Jr. was born Dale H. and grew up with his mother after his parents divorced in 1915. Despite the challenges he faced, Tetzlaff, Jr. went on to become a highly respected and accomplished studio cameraman, working on over 100 films under the name "Teddy Tetzlaff, Jr."