Chris Ledesma, the longtime music editor of The Simpsons, has died. he was 64 years old.
News of Ledesma’s death was announced Sunday night after “The Simpsons” aired. A post-credits tribute card was dedicated to the man behind the music. The Simpsons family were shown sitting while Lisa played an instrument, and the cartoon version of Ledesma was shown holding a baton.
Ledesma had been on the show since its first season in 1989. He worked on over 700 episodes and his 30th season until leaving the series in 2022.
Ledesma discovered music at a young age. He began playing the piano by the age of three, and took formal trumpet lessons shortly thereafter.
His first music editing job was on a student film for CalArts. This inspired him to pursue music editing as his career. Ledesma looked inside music scoring at Universal Studios when he was working as a guide on his tour of Hollywood.
Ledesma has over 138 credits and has worked in TV movies and series such as ‘Teen Angel’ and ‘Miracle in the Woods’. He also worked as a music editor for “Robin Hood: He’s Men in Tights”.
He has been nominated for two Emmy Awards for his work. Outstanding Personal Achievement in Audio Editing a Miniseries or “Gypsy” Special and Outstanding Audio Editing in a Miniseries or “Gypsy” Special.
“War and Memory”.
He maintained a personal blog. His last entry was in 2020.
Writer Carolyn Omine shared a tribute card, writing: we miss him “
Jake Schaefer, who replaced Ledesma as the show’s music editor, tweeted many compliments. Schaefer writes: I am grateful for spending time with him this year. He was a great leader and a man of integrity. my heart goes out to his family. “