Oscar-winner from Boston dies aged 84

Jim Clark, 84, won an Oscar for editing Roland Joffé’s The Killing Fields in 1985.

Jim was the son of the late George Vernon Clark – former Boston mayor and chairman of Fisher Clark and Co Ltd – and Florence Clark.

He spent time at Fisher Clark, which later became Norprint, before leaving Boston at about the age of 19 to pursue a career in film.

He began in 1951 as an assistant editor for Ealing Studios.

He had inherited a life-long interest in photography from his father and been interested in films from his boyhood.

Jim went on to work on more than 40 films, also winning BAFTAs for both the Killing Fields and The Mission in 1987.

Vice-chairman of The Guild of British Film and Television Editors (GBFTE), who announced his passing, John Grover said: “He had an illustrious career as a film editor with over 40 films to his credit including The World is Not Enough (1999), The Jackal (1997), Darling (1965) and Charade (1963).

“He was also a director and 2nd unit director, a producer and a voice over actor.”

He added: “He was a likeable and respected man and will be missed especially by Laurence his wife.”

As well as films, Jim also made television documentaries and commercials.

Jim met Laurence, while they were working on the film Charade, and when he won his Oscar in 1985 she told The Standard: “I think it is wonderful. As far as Jim is concerned, it is highly deserved – not only because of the work he did on The Killing Fields but also it is the crowning of his career.

“It is exactly 25 years that he has been cutting film.”

Jim also founded the Guild of British Film Editors in 1966 and in 2011 published his memoir called Dream Repairman: Adventures in Film Editing.

In 2005, he was honoured by ACE with a Career Achievement Award.

He leaves behind three children.