Emmy-nominated film editor Doug Ibold passed away on November 8 at the age of 83. He battled cancer at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills. Ibold’s career spanned over two decades, leaving an indelible mark with his work on iconic television shows.
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“It is with extremely heavy hearts we announce the passing of our friend, film editor and former American Cinema Editors board member, Doug Ibold, ACE. He lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, November 8th, 2023, surrounded by his closest friends who had become his Los Angeles family at the Motion Picture & Television Fund Mary Pickford House in Woodland Hills, California,” began the obituary on Legacy.com.
Ibold’s notable collaboration with producer Dick Wolf included cutting the pilots for Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU. His contributions extended to the first six seasons of Magnum, P.I. from 1980 to 1985, along with work on various Donald P. Bellisario productions like Quincy M.E., Quantum Leap, Tequila and Bonetti, and the 1995 pilot for Crowfoot.
Born on January 23, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ibold’s journey into the entertainment industry began after serving with the U.S. Army through 1965. He secured a position at WTVT-TV in Tampa/St. Pete, where he operated the CBS pool camera on the aircraft carrier USS Wasp, capturing live shots of the Gemini 6 and 7 space capsule landings.
His illustrious career included significant milestones, such as being an assistant editor and operator on John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 1972 telefilm Imagine. Ibold received an Emmy nomination for editing the 1992 miniseries Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel, executive produced by Michael Mann.
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Collaborating with Wolf, Ibold edited the 1990 Law & Order pilot Everybody’s Favorite Bagman and the 1999 Law & Order: SVU pilot Payback, handling numerous SVU episodes through 2005.
In 2012, he was honored with a Career Achievement Award at the Eddie Awards, presented by Dick Wolf. In his acceptance speech, Ibold expressed his love for being part of the final storytelling process.
Ibold’s diverse career spanned roles from a jazz bass player to a commercial director and rock ‘n’ roll cinematographer before becoming an esteemed editor. He remained engaged and relevant throughout his successful career, leaving behind a legacy of varied accomplishments.
An excerpt from his ACE Award Tribute Book article written by Liza Cardinale, ACE, says it best:
“A restless spirit and boundless curiosity propelled him throughout his successful career, and made his list of accomplishments more varied than usually found on the resumes of prime-time television editors. From jazz bass player to commercial director to rock ‘n’ roll cinematographer, and eventually to editor, Ibold always had his finger on the pulse of his time and managed to stay engaged and relevant as years went by.”
Survived by his brother, Robert, a celebration of Doug Ibold’s life is scheduled to take place in the coming months. Donations in his name can be made to the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
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