- Eric is the grandson of Eliel Saarinen (1873-1950), Architect, Designer and Educator whose multi-faceted career in Finland and then the U.S. included his strong influence on the styling of Pre-World War II American office towers.
- Cousins with Edie Sedgwick.
- One of the first Cinematographers ever to be inducted into the American Society of Cinematographers because of "Extraordinary Achievement in the Field of Television Commercials".
- Godson of Charles and Ray Eames.
- Eric is the son of Architect and Designer, Eero Saarinen (1910-1961), who is now considered one of the masters of American 20th-century Architecture and one of the leaders of the International Style.
- A Director/Cameraman in the DGA and the ASC.
- Member of the Finnish Society of Cinematographers.
- Eric's mother, Lily Saarinen, was a Sculptor, Artist and Educator. She was on the first women's Olympic Ski Team.
- 'Symbiosis' was the first film to be mixed digitally at Walt Disney.
- For 'Symbiosis', Saarinen circumnavigated the globe two-and-a-half times in 13 months to film the natural and ancient man-made wonders of the world exposing the history of man's relationship with the environment. Seen by 28 million people during its 11 year run.
- Director of Photography on "Exploratorium", an Oscar nominee for Best Documentary.
- Eric Saarinen was one of the cinematographers hired by the Maysels Brothers to cover the Altamont Concert on Saturday, December 6, 1969 for the film later titled "Gimme Shelter". He held the camera that shot the footage of Meridith Hunter's stabbing by Hells Angel, Alan Passaro.
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