The Cinema Audio Society is saddened to report the passing of CAS Career Achievement recipient and three-time Academy Award winner Chris Newman on February 3rd, 2025.
Born in New York City in 1940, Chris left to study metallurgical engineering at MIT at the age of 16. Feeling the program wasn’t for him, he returned to NYC a year-and-a-half later to break into the field of sound, eventually finding work in a recording studio in New Jersey.
Since those early days of sweeping floors and duplicating tapes, Chris went on to receive eight Academy Award nominations, walking away with Oscars for The Exorcist (1974), Amadeus (1985), and The English Patient (1997). However, it was his kindness and selflessness that those who knew Chris remember most. Former CAS President Mark Ulano shares, “[Chris was] my dear mentor and friend of 53 years. Fierce, independent, and a true pioneer. He was a fearless voice for the art form and the community. A filmmaker through-and-through.” Chris served on the CAS Board of Directors and shared his insight and time with hundreds of sound and entertainment professionals throughout his career. The CAS extends our heartfelt condolences to Chris’ family and friends.
Celebrate the legacy of Chris Newman by reading his CAS Career Achievement recipient interview in the Winter 2013 issue of CAS Quarterly here:
Winter 2013 CASQThe awards book from the night:
2013 20th Awards BookAnd Chris’ acceptance speech from the 2013 CAS Awards ceremony: