Arthur “Artie” R. Schmidt
Artie Schmidt died suddenly and peacefully at his home in Santa Barbara. He was 86. Artie was born in Hollywood, California and the rest is cinema history.
Artie was a skilled film editor, following in the footsteps of his father, Arthur P. Schmidt (“Some Like it Hot “, “Sunset Boulevard”, “Sabrina”), who died while Artie was living in Spain, teaching ESL. He returned to Los Angeles for the funeral: a few months later, at a loss for a job, his father’s assistants offered him an apprenticeship. And so began the early years of learning the trade. At the time, it took almost as much time to become an editor as it did a doctor: first an apprenticeship, then at least 8 years as an assistant editor.
Throughout his remarkable 30+ year career, Artie’s unparalleled talent graced the silver screen, and his work touched the hearts of countless moviegoers worldwide. He was a two-time Academy Award winner for Film Editing of the Robert Zemeckis films: “Forrest Gump” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” He had a long collaboration with Zemeckis – 9 films, to include the “Back to the Future” trilogy, “Cast Away,” and “Contact.” Artie also worked with director Mike Nichols editing “The Birdcage” and “Primary Colors.”
Other notable films he edited included “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” for which he was nominated for an Oscar, “Last of the Mohicans,” “Addams Family Values,” “Death Becomes Her.” He was brought in to help edit “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” and the pilot for “Miami Vice”.His editing of the TV movie, “The Jericho Mile” earned him an Emmy for Best Editing. He served on the Board of the Academy of Motion Pictures and in 2009 was presented a Career Achievement Award by the American Cinema Editors.
Artie never forgot his early struggles in the film industry and those who mentored him in his early years, editors like Dede Allen and Jim Clark. Artie continued that tradition by mentoring and encouraging many young aspiring filmmakers, wherever he met them – in the editing room, at film schools or film festivals.
Talking to them about editing, his most frequent mantra was “keep it simple”. Others were: “Don’t manipulate, the footage tells you how to cut, listen to the film rather than imposing your own ideas or ‘style’, a bad cut can be as offensive as a missed beat in a symphony, editing is the final rewrite, cuts should remain invisible to the eye – but I want you to feel their impact.”
A strong believer in the benefits of a good education, Artie supported his school, Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks, and his alma mater, Santa Clara University, and talked to their film & theater student groups. “The students absolutely loved him: he was always the most requested meeting during our annual trip down to LA”. He would also encourage them to have a well rounded life: “read, go to the theater, museums, look at art, travel”. He always seemed to be reading six books at once: the combined height of the various piles of books on his bedside table once clocked in at 32 inches
Aside from his stellar filmography, his family, friends, collaborators and fans will remember him for his kindness, warmth, and genuine goodness. He always said what he thought, and was incapable of telling a lie: after a rather disastrous preview, we couldn’t answer the phone for days, because he knew his mother would be calling to see how it went, but everyone involved had been sworn to secrecy. His dry wit would get laughs in a tense editing room or over a shared meal with colleagues and family.
Artie and his wife Susan shared a love of travel, especially to Italy, loved the arts and the opera. He and his wife supported Santa Barbara’s Music Academy of the West, as well as the LA Opera.
For almost 25 years, he loved hosting his large family at his home for Thanksgiving. He was a great cook, whose meals were to be remembered for their panache and originality. He was always coming up with new dishes, especially salads.
He was a cherished husband, a loving uncle, a devoted son and brother, and a dear friend to many. His warm smile and kind-hearted nature endeared him to all who were fortunate enough to know him.He is survived by his beloved wife, Susan, his brothers, Fr. Ron Schmidt, and Gregory Schmidt, 4 nieces and 4 nephews (editors and film-makers among them) and many cousins and family members.
As we bid farewell to Artie, we find solace in the indelible mark he left on the world of cinema and the countless fond memories his friends and colleagues have shared with us. He is dearly missed by his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.
Rest in peace, dear Artie. We love you.
Memorial Service
Sat., August 26, 2023 11:00AM
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
1300 E Valley Rd
Santa Barbara, CA 93108
Reception to follow.
“He was incredibly talented and a joy to work with. He was a true gentleman and I am honored to have known him and to have created what we did together.”
Director Robert Zemeckis
“Your story will live on through your special talent and ever-present humanity.”
Christopher Brown.
“So sorry to learn about Artie’s passing. He was one of the few gentlemen left in the world, and he was always such interesting company”
Henry and Rebecca Tinsley
