Biography
Paul Hirsch, A.C.E., has edited over 40 films, including the original "Star Wars" written and directed by George Lucas, for which he won an Academy Award in 1978, as well as "The Empire Strikes Back." He has worked on 11 films with Brian De Palma, such as "Carrie," "Blow Out," and "Mission: Impossible"; four with Herbert Ross, including "Footloose," "The Secret of My Success," and "Steel Magnolias"; three with John Hughes, including "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Planes, Trains & Automobiles"; and "Falling Down" with Joel Schumacher. In 2005, Hirsch earned his second Academy Award nomination for "Ray," a biopic about Ray Charles directed by Taylor Hackford. His diverse filmography spans drama, action, horror, musical comedy, fantasy, suspense, mystery, and comedy. In 2008, he reunited with Hackford on "Love Ranch." More recently, he edited "Source Code," directed by Duncan Jones; "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol," directed by Brad Bird; "Warcraft," his second collaboration with Jones; and has contributed as an additional editor on numerous projects. Born in New York City, Hirsch is the son of Joseph Hirsch, a renowned painter whose work is part of major American museum collections including the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum. His mother and stepfather, Ruth and Leonard Bocour, were significant collectors of 20th-century American art. He spent part of his childhood in Paris and is fluent in French, with conversational skills in Italian and British English. Hirsch studied music at the High School of Music & Art in NYC and majored in Art History at Columbia University. He is married with two adult children, both working in the film industry, and resides in Pacific Palisades. He is the author of the memoir "A Long Time Ago in a Cutting Room Far, Far Away.
