Leo Chaloukian

Leo Chaloukian was an American sound designer.

Chaloukian started at Ryder Sound Service in 1955, became a re-recording mixer and eventually became the sole owner in 1976. He sold the company to the Soundelux Entertainment Group in 1997, and became the company’s senior vice president.

In 2000, John Malone's Liberty Media Group acquired Soundelux, the division was then known as Ascent Media Group, Creative Sound Services. In 2009, it became a division of Discovery Communications known as Creative Sound Services-Studios. Chaloukian currently serves as vice president of business development, representing the various state-of-the-art divisions for feature films and television.

Chaloukian won four national Emmys, two regional Emmys, two association-service Emmys and, for his years of service to the Television Academy, the Syd Cassyd Founder's Award. During his tenure at Ryder, he lead the company to 42 Emmy wins and an Oscar for Platoon.

He served on the first Television Academy Board of Governors, representing the Sound Peer Group, and served as Television Academy president for four years. He was a judge on the sound categories for 34 years.

As chair of the Television Academy Building Committee, he oversaw the construction of the Television Academy’s main headquarters and the Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre. He was also a member of the Television Academy's Foundation Board.

For more on his life, see Leo Chaloukian: A Life in Sound and Service

updated 7.24.24