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Peter Zinner Obituary
Zinner died Tuesday at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica of complications from an almost five-year battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, his daughter Katina Zinner said.
"He was a humble guy. If anyone wasn't full of the Hollywood junk, it was my dad," she told The Associated Press. "He lived life to the fullest. He was passionate on every level. We were the best of friends."
Born in 1919 in Vienna, Peter Zinner, who was Jewish, fled the Nazis with his family and moved to the Philippines in 1938. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1940 and "always wanted to be in film," said his daughter.
After working as a taxi driver and piano player in silent movie theaters, Zinner landed a job as an apprentice film editor at 20th Century Fox in the early 1940s.
In 1960, he quit MGM and started his own company with two other film editors, his daughter said.
It was Zinner's film editing work on Francis Ford Coppola's 1972 groundbreaking mob drama "The Godfather" that earned him an Academy Award nomination with coeditor William Reynolds.
"Peter Zinner made a great contribution to 'The Godfather,"' Coppola said in an e-mail to The AP through his publicist. "Working on the editing of the final (baptism) sequence, Peter had the inspiration to add the organ music that pulled the sequence together."
Zinner's other notable movie editing credits included 1967's "In Cold Blood," 1974's "The Godfather: Part II" and 1976's "A Star Is Born."
He snagged a film editing Oscar for the Vietnam War film "The Deer Hunter," which won best picture. He later picked up an Oscar nomination for 1982's romantic drama "An Officer and a Gentlemen."
Zinner appeared only once as an actor, playing an admiral in 1990's "The Hunt for Red October," and directed one movie, 1981's "The Salamander," a political thriller set in Italy with Anthony Quinn.
Last year, Zinner collaborated with his daughter Katina, also a film editor, on the documentary "Running With Arnold," about Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
21 Entries
June 21, 2010
The years may come and go, but the memories of our loved ones will live on forever in our hearts.
God is for us a refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be found during distresses.
March 18, 2010
For Peter...
Your editorial work in the
first two Godfather films
is truly memorable. You were
said to be the very best in
you work in the Dear Hunter.
You...are very much missed.
Peter...This is for you.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
Erik Friedl
April 21, 2009
I miss my mentor and my conscience. With the greatest fondness, I remember the acerbic sense of humor, the pithy retort, the elegant diction, the no-nonsense advice whether it had to do with editing or not. Thanks for having been there.
July 9, 2008
Always know that God is not far off from anyone of us. Acts chapter 17.
He will help those in need all we have to do is ask. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you. (James 4:8)
How you can show support
Robert Pompa, MD
February 24, 2008
I cannot convey the sadness upon learning of the passing of my friend and patient Peter Zinner. Although I was not his primary care physician, I looked forward to his visits at my office during the years I cared for him, often discussing his craft as well as his reason for being there. He always made me smile and I cherished those brief times with him. I will never forget the delight he showed when I took a few minutes of his time at one of his last visits to "google" his bio for him as I was always in awe of his talent and accomplished life. I deeply regret that we never got to have that lunch we always talked about scheduling. I will miss him.
Eliot Lipps
February 24, 2008
Krista & Katina,
I was watching the Oscars and learned of Peter’s passing away. I just wanted to send my sympathies. It has been many, many years since we were neighbors in the Palisades, but I remember those days fondly. Sincerely,
Denise Hedley
February 22, 2008
Rest in peace, Peter. My memories of you when Katina and I were growing up are precious to me. You will be missed! My deepest sympathies to Krista and Katina at this difficult time.
carl gordon
November 19, 2007
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
BRENDA PRUITT
November 19, 2007
God Be With You
yvonne hellas
November 19, 2007
god bless you and your familey
Susan H
November 19, 2007
While you are mourning the loss of a loved one, others are rejoicing to meet them behind the veil.
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith
November 19, 2007
My heartfelt sympathy to the Zinner family in the loss of Peter.
Barbara Mills
November 18, 2007
May the GOD of tender mercies be with you and comfort you during your time of great loss.
November 18, 2007
Iam sorry for your loss Hold on to your memories,and let then guide you during this time of sadness.remmeber you will see your love one again one day
Lori Farrar
November 17, 2007
God, may you rest in peace, your stuff was awesome. You will be missed. Sorry you had to go.
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
November 17, 2007
REST IN PEACE, PETER ZINNER
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