Who was Douglas Ibold? Film Editor for Dick Wolf Shows Dead at 81

Doug Ibold, recognized professionally as Edward Douglas Ibold, passed away on November 8 at the age of 83. The announcement of his demise, along with the disclosure that the cause of death was unspecified cancer, came from Ibold’s family, who shared the details through an obituary.

Ibold left an indelible mark on the television industry, contributing to various TV projects, including editing the pilot episode of “Law and Order.” His extensive list of credits encompasses notable works such as “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Miami Vice,” “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel,” and “Ladies and Gentlemen — The Rolling Stones.”

Born on January 23, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ibold grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. His early experiences included serving as a CBS pool camera operator on the U.S.S. Wasp before transitioning to work as a camera assistant and editor for John Lennon and Yoko Ono on the 1972 feature film “Imagine.”

Following his collaboration with Lennon and Ono, Ibold relocated to Los Angeles, where he contributed to shows by Donald Bellisario and played a crucial role in Dick Wolf’s “Law and Order.”

In a reflective piece for CineMontage in 2013, Ibold attributed the spark that ignited his career to St. Petersburg. He wrote, “My career may have started in St. Petersburg, Florida when I was 13 years old and first saw the magnificent Western ‘Shane.’ I was so enthralled that I stayed in the theater and watched it a second time; the joy of cinema entered my soul.”

After his army discharge, Ibold returned to Florida and secured a job at a local educational TV station, marking the beginning of a decade-long journey that took him through Tampa, Cincinnati, New York, and Washington D.C.

Recalling his first interview for “Imagine,” held on the 18th floor of the St. Regis Hotel, Ibold recounted the unforgettable moment when John Lennon played the titular song on an audio recorder while helicopters dropped steel beams on the Twin Towers. He expressed, “While listening to this hauntingly beautiful song, I watched helicopters drop huge steel beams onto the top of the Twin Towers. It was an unforgettable moment. I got the job. After working on ‘Imagine,’ I knew that editing was my calling.”

Health issues led to Ibold’s retirement in 2005. He is survived by his brother Robert Ibold, as well as nieces, nephews, and their families.