Oscar-Nominated Editor Don Zimmerman Dies at 81

A Legacy of Excellence in Film Editing

Don Zimmerman, a veteran film editor known for his remarkable contributions to the motion picture industry, passed away on July 24 at the age of 81. He succumbed to acute myeloid leukemia at his home in Studio City. His career spanned decades, and he worked on numerous iconic films that have left an indelible mark on cinema history.

Zimmerman's journey in the film industry began with a unique path. Born in 1944 and nicknamed “Big D,” he initially served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. After his discharge, he took on various odd jobs, including working for Western Electric, gas stations, and insurance companies. A friend suggested he explore opportunities in show business, which eventually led him to become a sound editor.

In a 2023 interview with ACE’s Cinema Editor magazine, Zimmerman shared how he first got involved with the legendary filmmaker Hal Ashby. "Then Jimmy, the assistant friend of mine, was working with Hal Ashby," he said. "Hal had just moved from editor to a director by Norman Jewison, and they needed a second assistant editor. [Ashby] had his assistant move up to editing, and Jim was the first assistant. Jim said, 'Let's get Don to help as the second editor.' That was my introduction to Ashby and the group."

Zimmerman's collaboration with Ashby led to his work on the 1971 cult hit Harold & Maude, as well as other notable films such as Bound for Glory, Shampoo, and the Peter Sellers-led Being There. His talent was recognized when he received a Best Film Editing Oscar nomination for his first solo credit on the 1978 post-Vietnam classic Coming Home. This film was also nominated for Best Picture. The same year, Zimmerman edited another Best Picture Oscar nominee, Warren Beatty’s remake of Heaven Can Wait.

Over the years, Zimmerman continued to work on significant projects. More than a decade later, he was the film editor on a third Best Picture Oscar nominee, Barbra Streisand’s The Prince of Tides (1991). His versatility allowed him to collaborate with a wide range of directors, including Tom Shadyac, Dean Parisot, Sylvester Stallone, Shawn Levy, Arthur Hiller, Doug Liman, Norman Jewison, Brett Ratner, and Barry Sonnenfeld.

Zimmerman often emphasized the importance of intuition and authenticity in his craft. In the 2023 Cinema Editor interview, he stated, "I learned from these different people that I worked with that it's mainly your gut. Above all else, they always taught me to tell the truth. I was fortunate to work with [directors] that would always say, 'Let me see your interpretation of it first.'"

Beyond his professional achievements, Zimmerman's personal life reflected a deep commitment to family. His five children have also found success in the entertainment industry. Sons Dan and Dean are ACE-member editors, Debi is a costumer, Dana works in postproduction, and David — who assisted his father for many years — is VP of the streaming platform Evercast.

Zimmerman's family shared a heartfelt statement about his passing: "He was an incredible husband, father, friend and colleague, and we will miss him dearly. He loved his job so much he would often say he never felt like it was work. He was an artist — a creative, talented editor whose body of work has been cemented in the motion picture industry forever."

In addition to his wife, Donna, Zimmerman is survived by seven grandchildren, who will carry forward his legacy. His contributions to the film industry will continue to inspire future generations of editors and filmmakers.