Don Zimmerman (film editor)
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Don Zimmerman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1944 |
| Died | (aged 81) |
| Other names | Big D[1] |
| Occupation | Film editor |
| Spouse | Donna Zimmerman |
| Children | 5, including Dan and Dean |
Don Zimmerman (1944 – July 24, 2025) was an American film editor.[2]
His first job as lead editor was the film Coming Home, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award at the 51st Academy Awards.[3]
Zimmerman was born in 1944.[1] He initially studied to become a veterinarian. He served in the Vietnam War, and later became a music editor. He moved into film editing after meeting director Hal Ashby, who was also an editor at the time.[4]
Career
Zimmerman began his career in 1969 as an apprentice editor in music and sound effects working for the Mirisch Co. on films such as The Hawaiians, Gaily, Gaily, Little Big Man, The Godfather, Where's Papa and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. He then became a picture assistant editor for director Hal Ashby on films such as The Landlord, Harold and Maude, Shampoo, and Being There.[4] Zimmerman went on to work with director Hal Ashby on six films, including Coming Home, for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
In 1993, Zimmerman began working with director Tom Shadyac. Zimmerman went on to work with Shadyac on Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Nutty Professor, Patch Adams, and Liar Liar.
Personal life and death
Zimmerman was married to Donna Zimmerman. The couple had five children, all of whom are in the film business: sons Dean, Danny and David are all film editors; Debi is a costumer; Dana works in post-production.[4] Don died of acute myeloid leukemia on July 24, 2025, at the age of 81.[1]
