George Folsey Jr., the veteran film editor behind classic films such as “Coming to America” and “Animal House,” died Dec. 29. He was 84.
Variety learned the news from Folsey Jr.’s son Ryan Folsey, who is also an editor. Folsey Jr. was the son of cinematographer George J. Folsey.
Folsey Jr. collaborated frequently with director John Landis. Over the course of his five-decade career, he went on to edit or co-edit a total of six of Landis’s films which included “Schlock,” “The Blues Brothers” and “Coming to America.”
Furthermore, Folsey Jr. worked with the “Burke and Hare” filmmaker as a second unit director on “Trading Places,” “Into the Night” and “Three Amigos.”
Some of his other editing credits include the “Michael Jackson: Thriller” music video, “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Clarity,” “Wolf Mountain,” “Just Swipe,” “Summer Rain,” “Despair,” “Freeloaders,” “Chain of Command” and “My Sister.”
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In addition to his work as an editor, Folsey Jr. also served as a producer on a number of films. Among his producing credits are “Schlock,” “The Blues Brothers,” “An American Werewolf in London,” “Coming to America,” “Grumpier Old Men,” “Michael Jackson: Number Ones,” “Wendy Liebman: Taller on TV,” “Spies Like Us,” “Into The Night,” “Twilight Zone: The Movie” and “Glass Houses.” His credits as an executive producer include “Clue,” “The Thing Called Love,” “Greedy,” “Death Link” and “Reboot Camp.”
Folsey Jr. also earned a 1984 ACE nomination for his work on the Documentary Special “The Making of ‘Thriller’” centered around Michael Jackson. He also provided DVD commentary for the 2005 film “Hostel.”
He was acquitted in a 1980s manslaughter case pertaining to the deaths of actor Vic Morrow as well as two children involved in a helicopter accident on the set of “Twilight Zone: The Movie.” Folsey Jr. attended St. Paul the Apostle, Loyola High School and Pomona college. He was an avid golfer and wine aficionado.
He is survived by his wife Belinda Folsey, daughter Erin Plasse and son Ryan Folsey. He also has 3 grand daughters Lucia Folsey, Chloe Plasse and Hazel Plasse.