Jon Gregory, the acclaimed British film editor who worked on such movies as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Secrets & Lies, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, died on September 9, 2021, at the age of 77. His death was announced by his agent, Sue Greenleaves, who described him as “the kindest, most unassuming and humble client ever, and an incredible editor”. But what was the cause of his death? And what legacy did he leave behind in the film industry?
A Short Illness
According to The Guardian, Gregory died after a short illness. The exact nature and duration of his illness were not disclosed, but it seems that he was not suffering from any chronic or terminal condition. His death came as a shock to many of his colleagues and friends, who paid tribute to his talent and personality.
Mike Leigh, the director who collaborated with Gregory for more than 30 years, wrote an obituary for The Guardian, in which he praised his vision and skill as an editor. He said that Gregory was “a true artist in his own right” and that he trusted in his judgment and creativity. He also shared some anecdotes about their working relationship, such as how Gregory would sometimes surprise him with radical new versions of scenes that would be “a total revelation”.
Martin McDonagh, the director of In Bruges and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, also expressed his admiration for Gregory in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. He said that Gregory was “a genius” and “one of the best editors in the world”. He added that he was “a lovely man” and “a joy to work with”.
A Remarkable Career
Gregory was born on May 21, 1944, in Lahore, British Raj (now Pakistan), to British parents. He moved to England when he was nine years old and attended Reigate School in Surrey. He developed a passion for cinema at an early age and decided to pursue a career in film editing.
He started working at the BBC as a crew member in the scenery department and then moved on to editing TV programs such as Play for Today, Open All Hours, and Nancy Astor. He made his feature film debut with Ealing Studios in 1978 with Sweeney 2. He then worked with various directors such as John Mackenzie, Stephen Frears, Mike Newell, John Hillcoat, and others.
He received four BAFTA nominations for his editing work on Traffik (1989), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994), Secrets & Lies (1996), and In Bruges (2008). He also received an Oscar nomination for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017). He was a member of the American Cinema Editors.
Some of his other notable films include High Hopes (1988), Naked (1993), Donnie Brasco (1997), The Road (2009), Mr. Turner (2014), and Peterloo (2018). His last film was The Banshees of Inisherin (2022), which is dedicated to his memory.
A Loving Family
Gregory was married twice. His first wife was Beryl Ridley, whom he married in 1966 and divorced later. They had two daughters, Amanda and Claire. His second wife was Sue Barker, his former assistant and dubbing editor, whom he married in 2020. He also had a stepdaughter, Sarah, and nine grandchildren.
Gregory was remembered by his family as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. They said that he was “a gentle soul” who enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading, and traveling. They also said that he was “a modest man” who never sought fame or recognition for his work.
Gregory’s family thanked everyone who supported them during this difficult time and asked for privacy to grieve their loss. They also requested that donations be made to Macmillan Cancer Support in lieu of flowers.
Conclusion
Jon Gregory was a brilliant film editor who left a lasting mark on the cinematic landscape. He worked with some of the most acclaimed directors of his generation and created memorable films that entertained and moved audiences around the world. He died after a short illness at the age of 77, leaving behind a loving family and a legion of admirers. His cause of death may not be known publicly, but his legacy will live on through his work.
