Emmy, Oscar-Winning Sound Designer, Former Television Chair, Dies at 97

Leo Chaloukian, recognized with multiple Emmy and Oscar awards for his work in sound design, died on July 18 at the age of 97, the Television Academy confirmed on Wednesday.

Chaloukian’s illustrious career in sound began in 1954 when he joined Ryder Sound Service. He quickly made a name for himself as a re-recording mixer, eventually becoming the company’s sole owner in 1976. Over the years, Chaloukian and his team at Ryder Sound earned four national Emmys and two regional Emmys.

In 1997, Chaloukian sold Ryder Sound Service to the Soundelux Entertainment Group, where he continued to serve as the senior vice president. The company’s ownership changed hands a few times, first acquired by Liberty Media Group in 2000, morphing into Ascent Media Group, later Creative Sound Services, and finally a part of Discovery Communications known as CSS Studios LLC. Chaloukian maintained his role as vice president of business development until he retired following the company’s spinoff to become Todd Soundelux in 2014.

Among his many contributions to the industry, Chaloukian worked on the soundtracks for renowned National Geographic specials, David Wolper Productions documentaries, and iconic TV shows like Lassie, Death Valley Days, Sea Hunt, Maverick, Route 66, and Gunsmoke. He also contributed to the sound design of classic films such as The Graduate and Easy Rider.

Under Chaloukian’s leadership, Ryder Sound also worked on celebrated movies including Love Story, The Godfather, Chinatown, Saturday Night Fever, and the first Star Trek films. Noteworthy projects included Raiders of the Lost Ark, Tootsie, and The Killing Fields. The company was honored with an Emmy for Best Achievement in Sound in 1986 for the television movie Cross of Fire, and that same year, won an Oscar for Best Achievement in Sound for Platoon.

Chaloukian was also highly involved with the Television Academy. He served on the Motion Picture Academy Board in the 1970s and held multiple terms on the Television Academy’s Board of Governors, representing the Sound Peer Group. From 1980 to 1991, he spearheaded the Academy’s Building Committee, overseeing the construction of its current headquarters in North Hollywood, California. He also served four years as the Academy’s president, a position now known as the chair, from 1989 to 1993.

In addition to his roles within professional organizations, Chaloukian created Peer Group Executive Committees and was a director on the Television Academy’s Foundation Board. He supported the Foundation’s Internship Program and its celebrated project, The Interviews.

In 1988, Governor George Deukmejian appointed Chaloukian to the California Film Commission, a position he held through the administration of Governor Pete Wilson.

Chaloukian’s wife and partner, Virginia, passed away in 2020. He is survived by his daughter Kimme Chaloukian Black and son Dale Chaloukian, who followed in his father’s footsteps into sound editing, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held privately. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Television Academy Foundation in Chaloukian’s memory.

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