Elena Maganini, the film and television editor who won an Emmy for cutting the pilot of “Dexter,” died Oct. 21 in Burbank, California, of complications from breast cancer, Variety reported. She was 70.
Maganini’s career spanned nearly four decades of film and television work. It began with John McNaughton’s 1986 feature “Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer,” her first feature credit, on which she also served as sound editor.
Career And Dexter Emmy Win
Maganini won the 2007 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series for the pilot of “Dexter,” the Showtime drama that went on to become one of television’s best-known serial-killer series. She edited six episodes of the show’s first season.
She also earned an Emmy nomination and a CableACE Award nomination for HBO’s “If These Walls Could Talk,” a 1996 anthology film about abortion. Her nomination covered the film’s “1952” and “1974” segments, both directed by Nancy Savoca, while Cher directed the third. Maganini’s segments featured Demi Moore, Shirley Knight and Catherine Keener.
Her television resume extended well beyond “Dexter” and included “Madam Secretary,” “Good Behavior,” “Clarice,” “Manifest” and “The Cleaning Lady.”
Collaborations With John McNaughton
Maganini’s working relationship with McNaughton lasted long after “Henry.” She went on to edit several more of his films, including “Wild Things,” starring Matt Dillon, Neve Campbell and Kevin Bacon, along with “Mad Dog and Glory,” “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll,” “The Borrower,” “Speaking of Sex” and “Lansky.”
Her other feature credits included “Next Friday” and “Ed Gein.”
Early Life And Training
A Chicago native, Maganini earned her degree at the University of Illinois and then studied filmmaking at Columbia College Chicago. She got her start editing commercials at Chicago production company Sinnot & Associates before moving into feature and television work.
Memorial Service
A memorial service is set for Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, according to Variety. Donations in her name may be made to Columbia College Chicago, Tree House Humane Society or the Stray Cat Alliance.
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