Douglas Ibold Cause of Death

Doug Ibold, the Emmy-nominated film editor known for his prolific 20-year collaboration with producer Dick Wolf, has passed away at the age of 83. Ibold’s significant contributions include editing the pilots for the groundbreaking series Law & Order and Law & Order: SVU.

Ebold succumbed to cancer on November 8 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, as announced by his family. His impressive career extended to editing the first six seasons of Magnum, P.I. from 1980-85, and he was involved in various Donald P. Bellisario productions, such as Quincy M.E., Quantum Leap, Tequila and Bonetti, and the 1995 pilot for the drama series Crowfoot.

Collaborating with Dick Wolf on Miami Vice from 1985-87 and on the 1997 NBC crime series Players, Ibold went on to edit the 1990 Law & Order pilot “Everybody’s Favorite Bagman” and the 1999 Law & Order: SVU pilot “Payback.” His involvement continued with SVU through 2005, handling numerous episodes.

In recognition of his outstanding career, Doug Ibold was honored with a Career Achievement Award at the 2012 Eddie Awards, where he received the accolade from Dick Wolf himself. Additionally, Ibold served as a board member for the American Cinema Editors for almost two decades. In his acceptance speech, he expressed his love for being part of the final storytelling process.

Born on January 23, 1940, in Cincinnati, Edward Douglas Ibold grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. After completing his education at Florida State University and serving in the U.S. Army until 1965, he began his career at WTVT-TV in Tampa/St. Pete.

Ibold’s diverse career included being the CBS pool camera operator on the USS Wasp during live shots of the Gemini 6 and 7 space capsule landings. In 1972, he served as an assistant editor and operator on John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s telefilm, Imagine. His work earned him an Emmy nomination for editing the 1992 miniseries Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel, executive produced by Michael Mann.

His extensive body of work also included TV series such as B.L. Stryker, Walker, Texas Ranger, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Tour of Duty, along with films like Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones (1973), Off Limits (1988), and The Break (1995).

Doug Ibold’s ACE Award Tribute Book described him as possessing a “restless spirit and boundless curiosity” that propelled him through a diverse and successful career. From jazz bass player to commercial director, rock ‘n’ roll cinematographer, and finally an editor, Ibold remained engaged and relevant throughout the years.

Survived by his brother, Robert, a celebration of Doug Ibold’s life is scheduled to take place in the coming months. Contributions in his honor can be made to the Motion Picture & Television Fund.