Gabriel Figueroa was born in Mexico City in 1907 and studied painting at the Academia de San Carlos and violin at the National Conservatory. He became one of the most influential cinematographers in Mexican cinema, shaping its visual identity through striking compositions and dramatic use of light.

His career began with Allá en el Rancho Grande (1936), directed by Fernando de Fuentes, a landmark film that brought international recognition and earned him his first award at the Venice Film Festival. Figueroa went on to work on over 200 films, including Los Olvidados with Luis Buñuel and The Fugitive with John Huston.

In Hollywood, his work on The Night of the Iguana earned him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination, solidifying his legacy as a master of visual storytelling whose influence continues to resonate in both cinema and visual arts.