Remembering Leo Chaloukian

We are sad to learn that Emmy and Oscar-winning sound engineer and past president of the Television Academy, Leo Chaloukian, has passed away at the age of 97.

Leo's pioneering work in sound included television shows such as Gunsmoke, Lassie, Route 66, Highway Patrol, Maverick, Have Gun Will Travel, Sea Hunt, and the pilot episode of Star Trek. Chaloukian started his career as a janitor at Ryder Sound Services, working his way up to become the company's owner and earning multiple Emmy nominations and wins, and an Oscar for sound on Platoon. 

Below are some selections from his 2001 interview:

On doing sound on the first "Star Trek" pilot :

On his analysis of the audio from the JFK assassination tape:

On his proudest career achievement and the key to his success :

Watch Leo Chaloukian’s full interview and read his obituary in The Hollywood Reporter here.