Thank you Jeff

[martijn76]

Vanessa Withers, Jeff Wexler's daughter—
56m
  ·
In Loving Memory of Jeff Wexler (1947 - 2025)
Yesterday, our dad, Jeff Wexler, passed away at his home in Santa Monica after years of struggling with chronic kidney disease. He was 78. Losing him is overwhelming, even though we knew his body had been fighting for a long time.
Our dad was kind in a way that felt effortless, generous in a way that asked for nothing back, and endlessly curious about the world. What meant the most to him was his family. He was a source of unwavering support, encouragement, and love, always present for us regardless of his professional commitments.
He also had a life in cinema that shaped who he was. He grew up around film sets as the son of Haskell Wexler, but he carved out his own path. He once thought he would become a sociology teacher, until a summer job on Harold and Maude showed him exactly where he belonged: right there on set, actively listening, creatively contributing, paying attention in the way only he could.
Over the next five decades he became one of the great production sound mixers, working on more than seventy films. His credits include Coming Home, Fight Club, Almost Famous, The Last Samurai, Jerry Maguire, As Good As It Gets and so many others. He cared deeply about his craft and was always pushing it forward. He helped usher in new recording technologies long before they became standard. He mentored younger sound people. He loved problem-solving. He loved being part of something bigger than himself. 
But the main thing we want people to know is that he was a great dad. Someone who showed up for us. A man of quiet integrity, whose deep and comprehensive exploration of the human condition was evident in all he did. He loved film for its ability to connect people.
Our stepmom, Carol, passed away earlier this year, and even though losing them both so close together feels surreal, we are grateful they are at peace. We know our dad will be missed far beyond our family. The film community loved him, learned from him, and was inspired by him. We were fortunate to have him as a father, and despite his physical absence, he remains with us always.
With love, Vanessa and David

[The Documentary Sound Guy]

A great one has passed.

[Matthias Richter]

our host for so many years. Jeff you will be missed but always remembered by your sound family all around the world. Thanks so much for being here for us. 
 

Rest in peace.
 

Matthias
 

[Paul F]

Peace be with you and your family Vanessa.

[fieldsound]

RIP Jeff Wexler.

Thank you so much. 

[shug]

Sincere condolences to you Vanessa And David and your family.

Thanks for everything Jeff, a true Giant of Film Sound. 

[The Immoral Mr Teas]

Thank you Jeff and rest in peace.

 

Dear Vanessa and David, my condolences also to you and your family for the passing of Jeff and Carol before him. As everyone here will say Jeff was a great support and host to this community and to film in general. Both your father and grandfather were legends in the industry but the Wexlers felt and feel like family to ourselves here. I am sorry that Jeff was one of the friends, out of a handful from his own site and from RAMPS which inspired it, that I did not manage to meet in the States in person - yet my feeling of friendship was no less for it. Here was - and is - one of the friendly, helpful, intelligent and worthwhile examples of the internet and the Wexler family are examples of what is best in Hollywood and filmmaking.

 

Jez Adamson

 

 

[Sound Intuition]

I remember leaving the Zaxcom Deva chat room in 2006 when it was shut down and following Jeff to something he wanted to call JW Sound. It has and will continue to be one of the most important sources of information for anyone interested in sound. 
 

 I was fortunate enough to speak with Jeff most weekends on the JW Zoom chat. We would start our chats at 09:00 EST which meant Jeff would be there at 06:00 PST on his weekend. He was always willing to share his knowledge and friendship with anyone. I will miss him. 

[glenn]

I have so much to say about Jeff and the thought of him not being here is too much to bear. I have known him for 28 years and I will miss him. He was kind, thoughtful, supportive and innovative. I am so happy I got to meet and Know him well. If a person can be described as Hollywood royalty Jeff was a King. But he never acted like it. He was always Jeff. Ready to help with any problem or give advice to help others. There is so much more to say and I hope to say it soon. Posting here first on the site Jeff put up to support our community and to help others is the right way to honor Jeff.

 

Glenn

[Matt Ross]

Thank you Jeff.

[stef]

So sorry to hear this. He was a pillar in the biz.

[borjam]

Really sorry to hear this. My condolences. 

[inspire]

My sincere condolences on the passing of Jeff Wexler.
I did not know him personally, but his work in creating and leading this forum has brought together sound professionals and enthusiasts from all over the world — from Australia to America, and even one member from Estonia like myself. His contribution has made this community a valuable and welcoming place.

I am a bit worried about what happens next, but I truly hope the forum will continue and that Jeff’s legacy will live on through the community he built.

May he rest in peace.

[Olle Sjostrom]

RIP Jeff. And thank you for everything. 

[vale]

Thanks for everything, from the bottom of my heart.

Valentino.

[Cloud Wang]

Thank you Jeff for creating JWsound forum so younger mixers like myself got a place to learn at the beginning of our careers. Rest in peace sir. 

[Jim Tanenbaum CAS AMPS]

One of the sad things about living a long time is the passing of so many of my friends and colleagues.  Jeff was both for many decades.  I offer my sincere condolences, and others have already said much more eloquently any praise I could offer.  I also had the privilege of recording sound on one of Haskell's projects Jeff recommended me for.

 

Jim Tanenbaum CAS AMPS

[Izen Ears]

I've got that pit in my stomach, what a bright light to have dimmed. I wish we'd gotten to meet at least, but the interactions here made it clear that he had a high amount of grace and respect. And this site is still a beacon of normalcy and a warm community thanks to him. Dang. RIP Mr. Wexler.

[Paul Ledford]

This is sad news and his appearance on the last zoom for the Academy production mixers was painful to see and no doubt for him to be there and be seen in such a state. And yet, he was there to lend his words. That was the Jeff I saw and read in his commentaries. Involved and engaged. I am thankful for Jeff Wexler being such a good story teller never losing sight of the context. His desire to share made all of us better. Jeff was the reason I moved away from DAT into a DEVA. He was one of if not the early adoptor of that device using it on his projects and then writing about it step by step.  That was fearless and spoke of the trust that surrounded him to have his neck out for disk based recording. I assume there were others, but Jeff was always there on the groups writing about the errors and solutions. He cut the path for disk based multitrack in working with Glen Sanders. Think about that change in our industry. The concept of what we do with disk base recording to further the post production workflow. AND then to add more channels. It spans all of the work done for pre pro and post sound work on narrative projects.  We owe much to that time and those experiences he put down in words for all of us to read. And of course there is JW SOUND as many here have mentioned. Well done Jeff and go in peace.

 

Paul Ledford CAS AMPAS

[carbonhobbit]

I met Jeff at a Ramps party in Vegas where we exchanged our gifts. I received a K-Tek blimp, still have it and he signed the box it came in. My wife almost threw it out once, but I won't let it go after I knew Jeffs history. When he started this forum, I came here from Ramps. There is so much I have learned here and I've tried to share some of my knowledge too. It shook me yesterday when I read of his passing, he will be deeply missed. What more can anyone say.

 

Scott Lynam

Edited December 14, 2025 by carbonhobbit

[luke leunes]

JWsound helped me so much, what a person to create a space for us mixers to share our knowledge, daily images and a place to hangout. On top of all the movies I watch with his labour. 1 in a million. Thank you Jeff and all you left us.

[Johnny Karlsson]

Oh no. This forum really is/has always been a special place thanks to Jeff. I am sad to hear this. I learned so many things hanging out here when I was starting out. I can't even find words.

[cwsound]

I haven’t used this site for a while but when I first started my career this forum was invaluable. Jeff was always gracious with his time and knowledge. Had the pleasure of joining a few of the Skype video calls back in the day. 
 

This forum is pretty special, it was one of the first social spaces for mixers online and I really hope it continues for Jeff’s legacy. 
 

thank you Jeff 

[Charles Is Recording]

Thank you for everything, Jeff. Rest in peace.

[sfxdude]

Oh no really sorry to hear this and for your loss.