Elena Maganini, the film and television editor who won an Emmy for her work on the pilot of “Dexter,” died Oct. 21 in Burbank from complications of breast cancer. She was 70.
Born in Chicago, Maganini graduated from the University of Illinois and studied filmmaking at Columbia College Chicago. She began her career at Chicago production company Sinnot & Associates, then earned her first feature-film credit on John McNaughton’s 1986 film “Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer.”
She went on to edit several other McNaughton films, including “Wild Things,” “Mad Dog & Glory,” “Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll,” “The Borrower,” “Speaking of Sex” and “Lansky.” Her other feature credits included “Next Friday” and “Ed Gein.”
In television, Maganini edited the “Dexter” pilot and later worked on “Madam Secretary,” “Good Behavior,” “Clarice,” “Manifest” and “The Cleaning Lady.” She also received Emmy and Cable ACE Award nominations for “If These Walls Could Talk,” an abortion-themed anthology directed by Cher and Nancy Savoca.
Maganini was a member of American Cinema Editors. She is survived by her husband, Scott Collins, communications director at the Motion Picture Editors Guild; her daughter, Gabriella Coronel; and her daughter-in-law, Adrienne Coronel.
A memorial service is scheduled for Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills. Donations may be made to Columbia College Chicago, Tree House Humane Society or the Stray Cat Alliance.
Sources: Variety.