Don Zimmerman, Oscar-Nommed Film Editor of ‘Coming Home,’ Dies at 81

Film editor Don Zimmerman, who was Oscar-nommed for “Coming Home” and known for his work on the “Rocky” franchise and ”Night at the Museum,” died on July 24 in Studio City. He was 81.

The American Cinema Editors confirmed Zimmerman’s death on their Instagram story. Zimmerman died as a result of acute myeloid leukemia.

Originally starting off his career studying veterinary science, Zimmerman began working a number of jobs in gas stations, insurance and various other roles during the Vietnam War. After a friend recommended that Zimmerman try a job in show business as an assistant, Zimmerman began working his way in the industry, eventually becoming a sound editor on sets.

In 1969, Zimmerman started as an apprentice editor in music and sound effects on projects such as “The Godfather,” “Little Big Man,” “The Hawaiians,” and more. He became a picture assistant editor for director Hal Ashby, working on “Harold and Maude,” “Shampoo,” “The Landlord” and “Being There.” Zimmerman received an Oscar nomination for his work in Ashby’s “Coming Home,” which was also nominated for Best Picture. 

Zimmerman also served as a film editor for directors such as Sylvester Stallone (“Rocky III” and “Rocky IV”), Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum), and Tom Shadyac. In 1991, Zimmerman edited Barbra Streisand’s “The Prince of Tides,” which received a Best Picture Oscar nomination.

His other credits included Warren Beatty’s “Heaven Can Wait,” “Staying Alive,” “Everybody’s All-American,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Liar, Liar” and “Patch Adams.”

In a 2023 interview with Cinema Editor, Zimmerman spoke in length about his career and the creatives he worked with in the industry. “I learned from these different people that I worked with that it’s mainly your gut. Above all else, they always taught me to tell the truth. I was fortunate to work with [directors] that would always say, ‘Let me see your interpretation of it first.’”

Zimmerman is survived by his wife, Donna, five children and seven grandchildren.