George Folsey Jr., the acclaimed film editor known for his work on classics such as “Coming to America” and “Animal House,” passed away on December 29th at the age of 84. The news was shared by his son, Ryan Folsey, also a film editor. Folsey Jr., son of renowned cinematographer George J. Folsey, enjoyed a prolific five-decade career.
His collaborations with director John Landis were particularly noteworthy, spanning six films including “Schlock,” “The Blues Brothers,” and “Coming to America.” Beyond editing, Folsey Jr. also served as a second-unit director for Landis on several projects, such as “Trading Places,” “Into the Night,” and “Three Amigos.” His extensive editing credits extend beyond Landis’s films, encompassing the iconic “Michael Jackson: Thriller” music video, as well as features like “Hot Tub Time Machine,” “Clarity,” and numerous others including “Wolf Mountain,” “Just Swipe,” “Summer Rain,” “Despair,” “Freeloaders,” “Chain of Command,” and “My Sister.”
Folsey Jr.’s contributions to the film industry extended beyond editing. He served as a producer on a wide range of films, including “Schlock,” “The Blues Brothers,” “An American Werewolf in London,” “Coming to America,” “Grumpier Old Men,” “Michael Jackson: Number Ones,” and “Spies Like Us,” among others. His executive producer credits include “Clue,” “The Thing Called Love,” “Greedy,” “Death Link,” and “Reboot Camp.” His talent earned him an ACE nomination in 1984 for his work on the documentary special, “The Making of ‘Thriller’,” and he also provided DVD commentary for the 2005 film “Hostel.”
In the 1980s, Folsey Jr. was acquitted in a manslaughter case related to a helicopter accident on the set of “Twilight Zone: The Movie,” which tragically resulted in the deaths of actor Vic Morrow and two children. He is survived by his wife, Belinda Folsey; daughter, Erin Plasse; son, Ryan Folsey; and three granddaughters, Lucia Folsey, Chloe Plasse, and Hazel Plasse. A graduate of St. Paul the Apostle, Loyola High School, and Pomona College, Folsey Jr. was known to be an avid golfer and wine enthusiast.