Thomas Dewitt Causey, Jr., a veteran production sound mixer who worked on films like “Dick Tracy” and “Broadcast News,” died on Sunday in Cathedral City, Calif., after a battle with a long illness. He was 76.
His death was confirmed by his daughter-in-law, Crystal Causey.
Causey worked as a sound mixer on over 85 films throughout his four decades in Hollywood. He was nominated for an Oscar for his work on Warren Beatty’s 1990 film “Dick Tracy.” His other major credits included “Gardens of Stone,” “The Fisher King,” “Bulworth” and “Defending Your Life.” He was also a frequent collaborator of horror icon John Carpenter. They made 11 films together, including all three “Halloween” films, “Escape from New York,” “Escape from L.A.” “The Thing,” “Big Trouble in Little China,” “Christine,” “Starman,” “Prince of Darkness” and “Village of the Damned.”
Born in New Orleans in 1949, Causey fell in love with the business while working as a driver for the sound team of a British production that was shooting in Louisiana. That experience pushed him to purchase his first sound equipment with a $5,000 loan from his father, and he worked on local film shoots and recorded live albums for local jazz musicians. In 1977, he moved to L.A. with his wife to pursue a career in sound mixing. The move was spurred by a court ruling that opened up IATSE membership for any non-union sound mixer who worked at least 90 days on L.A. sets in the last year.
Causey is survived by his wife, Christina Causey, his son, Jesse Causey, and his brother, Matthew Causey.
