Who was George Folsey Jr.? Legendary film editor and producer dies at 84
Film editor and producer George Folsey Jr. passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024, due to complications from pneumonia, as confirmed by his son Ryan Folsey to The Hollywood Reporter. On the same day, Ryan, who is also a film editor, shared the news of his father's demise in an emotional Instagram post.
He posted a heartfelt tribute to Folsey Jr., which was accompanied by a series of family photographs featuring George with his wife and loved ones. Ryan expressed gratitude for his father's love and guidance in the post.
"George Joseph Folsey jr 1939-2024. What a life you lived. We are gonna miss all your stories, homemade bread and golf tips. Love you forever 💔," Ryan wrote.
George Joseph Folsey Jr. was an American film producer, editor, and assistant director. With a career spanning six decades, Folsey Jr. became a household name in the film industry for his unparalleled storytelling skills and meticulous craftsmanship in film editing.
Getting to know George Folsey Jr.
George Joseph Folsey Jr. was the son of Angele Folsey, a homemaker, and George Joseph Folsey, a cinematographer and thirteen-time Oscar nominee. Born on January 17, 1939, in Los Angeles, he grew up immersed in cinema.
Folsey Jr. began his career as a film editor in 1967, working on episodes of The Monkees TV series. One of his earliest feature film projects was editing the 1973 blaxploitation classic Black Caesar, starring Fred Williamson. He continued working in the genre, including collaborations with director Arthur Marks.
That same year, George Folsey Jr. stepped into the role of executive producer while editing the sci-fi horror comedy Schlock. This project kickstarted the prolific partnership between Folsey Jr. and Landis.
Their collaboration led to Folsey editing several films, including The Kentucky Fried Movie 1977, National Lampoon's Animal House 1978, and The Blues Brothers 1980. He also edited the groundbreaking Thriller music video directed by Landis for Michael Jackson in 1983.
Folsey Jr. contributed to several of Landis' most memorable works as a producer, including An American Werewolf in London (1981), Trading Places (1983), Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Into the Night (1985), Spies Like Us (1985), and Three Amigos! (1986).
However, his career faced a significant challenge after a tragic helicopter accident during the filming of the Twilight Zone: The Movie in July 1982. The accident claimed the lives of actor Vic Morrow, 53, and two child actors, My-Ca Dinh Le, 7, and Renee Chen, 6.
Later, in 1987, George Folsey Jr., along with others involved in the production, faced charges of manslaughter and underwent a nine-month trial featuring 93 days of testimony.
In a recent interview with producer-author Kevin Goetz on the Don't Kill the Messenger podcast on November 6, 2024, Folsey referred to the incident as an accident, stating:
"We saw this as an accident, and we don't understand why'd you prosecute people for an accident."
George Folsey Jr. attended St. Paul the Apostle School, Loyola High School, and Pomona College before beginning his career at KABC-TV in Los Angeles. He later joined MGM and worked under the mentorship of Henry Berman (Grand Prix).
According to IMDb, George Folsey Jr.'s final credited work was on the indie drama Summer Rain, released earlier this year. Details regarding his funeral services have not yet been disclosed.
