Mark Livolsi

Mark Livolsi was an American film editor known for his long and fruitful collaboration with director Jon Favreau and his work on several major Disney productions. He received an Academy Award nomination for his editing on David Fincher's *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* and was a member of the American Cinema Editors. His career spanned nearly three decades, during which he contributed to a diverse range of films, from intimate comedies to large-scale fantasy adventures.

Early life and education

Mark Livolsi was born in New York City and developed an early interest in storytelling. He pursued his higher education at Syracuse University, where he studied film and television production. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles to begin his professional journey in the entertainment industry, initially finding work in various assistant roles on television productions and low-budget films.

Career

Livolsi's career breakthrough came when he began working with director Jon Favreau, editing the successful comedy *Elf*. This collaboration established a lasting professional partnership and led to Livolsi editing several of Favreau's subsequent films, including the blockbuster *The Jungle Book* and the fantasy adventure *The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe*. His skill in balancing narrative pacing, character moments, and visual effects was further showcased in his work for David Fincher on *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*, which earned him an Oscar nomination. Other notable credits include editing the romantic comedy *The Devil Wears Prada* for director David Frankel, the action comedy *Wedding Crashers*, and the heist comedy *The Italian Job*. His final completed work was on Jon Favreau's *The Jungle Book*, a film celebrated for its groundbreaking visual effects and narrative cohesion.

Filmography

A selection of his feature film editing credits includes *The Mighty Ducks* (1992), *The Devil Wears Prada* (2006), *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* (2008), *The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe* (2005), *Elf* (2003), *Wedding Crashers* (2005), *The Italian Job* (2003), *The Jungle Book* (2016), and *Saving Mr. Banks* (2013). He also worked on the television series *The Wonder Years* early in his career.

Personal life

Mark Livolsi was married to Michele Livolsi from 1994 until his death. The couple had two children and resided in Los Angeles. He was known among colleagues in the film industry for his professionalism, collaborative spirit, and dedication to his craft, often working closely with directors to shape the final narrative of their films.

Death and legacy

Mark Livolsi died from cancer in Los Angeles on September 28, 2018. His passing was noted by many in the film community, including frequent collaborators like Jon Favreau, who praised his talent and friendship. Livolsi's legacy endures through his body of work, which includes some of the most commercially successful and critically admired films of the early 21st century. His editorial craftsmanship, particularly in films blending live-action with extensive computer-generated imagery, set a high standard for narrative clarity and emotional resonance within the industry.

Category:American film editors Category:1962 births Category:2018 deaths Category:Academy Award nominees Category:Syracuse University alumni