Full Breakdown
Steve Maslow, Three-Time Oscar-Winning Sound Mixer, Dies at 81
4/29/2026, 1:30:58 AM
Death and Immediate Facts
Steve Maslow, known as “Maz,” died Monday, April 28, 2026, at a West Hills therapy facility after a long battle with cancer. His wife, Ronna Maslow, confirmed the death to *The Hollywood Reporter*. He is survived by Ronna, son Travis, and a granddaughter.
Early Life and Musical Roots
Born in Los Angeles on Oct 17, 1944, Maslow began as a roadie for the 1960s psychedelic band Strawberry Alarm Clock. He later engineered recordings for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, focusing on dialogue and music mixing before shifting to film.
Film Career and Key Collaborations
Maslow’s first film mixes arrived in 1978, including *The Last Waltz* and music titles *Hair* (1979) and *Stop Making Sense* (1984). He partnered with Gregg Landaker, starting on *Star Trek: The Motion Picture* (1979) and collaborating on over 130 films. Together they shaped the sound of *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980) and *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981). Maslow also worked with George Lucas, John Carpenter (*Escape From New York*, *The Thing*), Tim Burton (*Beetlejuice*, *Batman Returns*), and later projects from *Ferris Bueller’s Day Off* (1986) to *Mad Max: Fury Road* (2015).
Awards, Nominations, and Statistics
Maslow earned seven Academy Award nominations for Best Sound and won three Oscars: *The Empire Strikes Back* (1981), *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1982), and *Speed* (1995). He shared each win with Gregg Landaker and, respectively, Bill Varney, Roy Charman, and Keith A. Wester; the *Dune* (1984) nomination was without Landaker. He mixed sound on more than 200 feature films, about half with Landaker.
Influence on Sound Mixing and Film Industry
Maslow’s emphasis on clear dialogue and balanced musical integration set a benchmark for modern blockbuster sound design. His work on landmark franchises established expectations for immersive audio that supports narrative pacing and emotional impact. Peers credit his mentorship and his habit of “leaning on” younger mixers, shaping a new generation of sound professionals.
Official Statements & Responses
Greg P. Russell, a 16-time Oscar-nominated sound mixer, posted on Instagram that Maslow’s passing left the community “heart-broken,” praising his mentorship and humor. Ronna Maslow’s brief statement to *The Hollywood Reporter* confirmed the cause of death and thanked colleagues for tributes.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Some outlets described the *Empire Strikes Back* win as being shared among “four winners,” which could be misread as Maslow receiving four Oscars. All sources agree he personally won three Oscars. One report misspelled his partner’s name as “Grand Landaker” instead of “Gregg Landaker.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We lost one of the best of the best, and so many who loved him are heartbroken today,” — Greg P. Russell, sound mixer
- “I have no words to describe hearing of Steve Maslow’s passing today,” — Greg P. Russell, sound mixer
- “Anytime he ever walked onto a stage I was mixing on, he’d walk over to me and lean on my shoulder and say, ‘You’re not gonna leave it like that, are ya?’ Loved to laugh with him.” — Greg P. Russell, sound mixer
- “May the Force be with him.” — Instagram comment, StarWarsNewsNet
