Sound Pioneer Silenced: R.J. Kizer Passes Away at 73
R.J. Kizer, the renowned sound editor and ADR specialist, has passed away at the age of 73 after a battle with glioblastoma. He died on August 12 in Los Angeles, leaving behind a legacy of work on iconic films such as Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, three features from Christopher Nolan, and three Planet of the Apes movies.
A Career Spanning Decades
R.J. Kizer's illustrious career spanned nearly five decades, with a resume that boasts an impressive array of notable films. He worked at 20th Century Fox on a wide range of projects, including Waiting to Exhale (1995), The X-Files (1998), X-Men (2000) and its sequels, Shallow Hal (2001), and Hidden Figures (2016). His expertise in sound editing and ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) earned him 10 Golden Reel Award nominations from the Motion Picture Sound Editors, with a win for the ADR-heavy War for the Planet of the Apes (2017).
Collaborations with Hollywood's Elite
Kizer's work took him to the forefront of the film industry, collaborating with some of Hollywood's most renowned directors and actors. He supervised dialogue with actors after films were shot, generally to record lines that needed to be replaced or added, and worked with walla groups to create ambient voice tracks as well. His credits include films like Inception (2010), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Interstellar (2014), and Arachnophobia (1990), among many others. He even served as project manager for special effects on John Carpenter's Escape From New York (1981).
A Passion for Sound Design
Kizer's passion for sound design and post-sync dialogue was evident in his work on numerous films. He authored the 2024 book ADR and Post-Sync Dialogue: What It Is and How It's Done, and was writing an anecdotal memoir of his journey in the movie business at the time of his passing. In a video featured at the Academy Museum, Kizer and colleagues describe the process of creating the soundtrack for Peter Weir's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003), on which he was supervising ADR editor. His dedication to his craft earned him recognition within the film industry, including two terms on the Film Academy's sound branch executive committee.
Legacy and Remembering R.J. Kizer
R.J. Kizer's legacy will live on through his work on countless iconic films. He is survived by his wife, Joanne D'Antonio, a film and sound/dialogue editor, and their three sons, Christopher, Jack, Edward, Richard, and William. Donations in his memory can be made to The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens or to the Glioblastoma Research Organization. As the film industry mourns the loss of this sound pioneer, his contributions to the art of sound design will continue to inspire and influence generations to come.
Source: Hollywood Reporter