Paul Rodriguez, Sound Industry Vet, Dies at 65

He is remembered as an "ambassador to the art of sound."

Paul Rodriguez, a well-respected and active member of Hollywood’s sound community who is remembered as an "ambassador to the art of sound," died Tuesday from cardiac arrest after a brief hospitalization. He was 65.

At the time of his passing, Rodriguez was president of South Lake Audio Services and vp audio services and development at its sister company, Roundabout Entertainment.

His background included roles as vp and director of feature sales at Todd-AO/Soundelux, senior vp of Wilshire Stages, director of sound services at 4MC and president of EFX Systems. Rodriguez also was co-owner of the Eagle Eye Film Company, a supplier of picture editing systems, and served as its managing general partner for seven years.

Rodriguez was a longtime board member for the Motion Picture Sound Editors organization and served eight years as its treasurer. He also produced MPSE’s annual Golden Reel Awards ceremony.

Rodriguez’s sudden death left members of Hollywood’s sound community shocked and heartbroken.

"He was an amazing man who gave so much to everybody that had an opportunity to know him," said MPSE president Tom McCarthy. "Paul was an ambassador to the art of sound throughout all aspects of entertainment worldwide. He played an integral role within the board of the MPSE for many years. The success of our organization was supported by his continued efforts to recognize the importance of sound to filmmakers and the studios. Paul has left us with great memories and helped the success of many of those within the MPSE and the Cinema Audio Society as well as sound artists outside of these two organizations. There are so many great and amazing things that Paul did throughout his career and he will be remembered for them as well as the energy, wisdom and true dedication he gave to the sound industry."

Said Cinema Audio Society president Mark Ulano: "A friend and major contributor to the professional film sound community has passed unexpectedly. Paul Rodriguez’s energy, mentoring and enthusiasm will be sorely missed as he was always there as a go-to-guy. His capacity for collaboration and generosity seemed boundless. We at the Cinema Audio Society send our heartfelt condolences to his family and the larger community to which he has so effectively participated as a creative force and a leader. He will be greatly missed."

"People would like him instinctively," Roundabout founder and CEO Craig Clark added, recalling that Rodriguez hired him as a dialogue editor at EFX. "Paul went out on a limb and hired me. I will always be grateful." Years later, Clark would hire Rodriguez.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Oct. 3 at Montrose Church, 2409 Florencita Drive in Montrose, Calif. Donations in Rodriguez’s name may be made to Montrose Church, Best Friends Animal Society or Alzheimer’s Association.

Rodriguez is survived by his son Hunter, daughter-in-law Abbie and granddaughter Charlie; daughter Rachael and son-in-law Manny Wong; daughter Alexa and her partner James Gill; his former wife, Catheryn Rodriguez; and several sisters.