Robert “Bob” Slutske, a technical wizard who helped shepherd film and television studios into the modern era of production, has died at the age of 81, it was reported Wednesday.
No cause of death was available, but Slutske had been ill for some time, according to multiple reports.
The Hollywood Reporter said Slutske died in Los Angeles.
Slutske was one of the initial developers of non-linear editing technology and worked consistently in the theater and entertainment space for his entire 60-year professional life.
He got his start in lighting, stage management and direction in theater productions including “Amen Corner” with James Baldwin and “The Loudest Sound in the World” with Frank Silvera.
Later he worked with Ampex and LucasFilm, among others, where he brought non-linear editing systems to market and worked on their evolution with giant directors and actors including Stanley Kubrick, Sidney Lumet, Alan Alda and George Lucas.
He served for 17 years as the vice president of National TeleConsultants and provided expertise to many industry leaders including Warner Bros., Universal Television, Walt Disney, TV Globo-Brazil, NBCU, Paramount Pictures, ESPN, BET, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, UCLA Film and Television Archive and Microsoft.
Slutske was considered an expert on efficiency and effectiveness of media issues throughout the entire production process. He served on several key committees as a longtime member of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers.
Slutske is survived by his daughters Shoshana and Reina Slutske, brother Dale Lewis and son-in-law Christopher Alden. Funeral services will take place at Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills.