Elliot Graham Dies: Oscar-Nominated ‘Milk’ Editor Was 50

Elliot Graham, the Oscar-nominated film editor for Milk whose credits also included Steve Jobs, No Time To Die, Superman Returns and Captain Marvel, died Saturday, September 19, in Los Angeles. He was 50.

Graham died by suicide, according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner.

Born in Claremont, California, on June 8, 1976, Graham launched his show business career in the early 2000s with the feature film The Last Minute (2001) and the TV series House (2004). He moved into big-budget feature projects with 2006’s Superman Returns.

Two years later he was hired by edit Milk, the Harvey Milk bio-pic written by Dustin Lance Black and directed by Gus Van Sant. Starring Sean Penn, Milk was nominated for eight Oscars, including for Graham’s editing. (Black and Penn won their categories).

“The movie Milk wouldn’t have come together in the way it did without the amazing work of our editor Elliot Graham,” Milk producer Dan Jinks wrote in a tribute on Facebook. “He was nominated for an Oscar for his role.”

“I have so many thoughts and feelings about this sweet, kind and quirky man,” Jinks continued. “For now, I’ll just say rest in peace Elliot.”

After Milk, Graham worked again with Van Sant on the 2011 film Restless starring Mia Wasikowska. He also edited an episode of the Kelsey Grammer series Boss that year.

Additional credits include Steve Jobs (2015), Molly’s Game starring Jessica Chastain (2017), Captain Marvel (2019) and No Time To Die, the 2021 James Bond film starring Daniel Craig. Graham and editor Tom Cross shared a BAFTA award for their work on the film.

In addition to his editing credit for the 2018 FX limited series Trust, the Danny Boyle-directed project about the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III, Graham also served as producer.

Graham also provided additional editing on X2: X-Men United (2003) and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014).