Simpsons music editor Chris Ledesma dies at the age of 64
The Simpsons music editor Chris Ledesma has died at the age of 64, with the long-running sitcom paying tribute to the 'kind' and 'talented' man.
Chris had worked on the popular animated sitcom since it first premiered in 1989 and worked on every episode for 33 years until he stepped down in May 2022.
The show paid tribute to the longtime music editor on its latest episode with a title card that read: 'In loving memory of Chris Ledesma.'
The sweet message was displayed below an animated version of Chris, who sat on the iconic Simpsons sofa alongside Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie and Bart.
Members of The Simpsons crew took to Twitter to pay their respects to their 'sweet' and 'talented' colleague following the sad news of his death.
Writer Carolyn Omine penned: 'Chris Ledesma was a sweet man who loved his job and was really, really good at it. We miss him.'
Executive producer and showrunner Matt Selman wrote: 'Chris Ledesma was a sweet, goofy guy with a giant heart his amazing musical life is played out over 33 years of @TheSimpsons.'
New music editor Jake Schaefer said: 'Chris Ledesma's passion for music and for @TheSimpsons was an inspiration.
'I'm grateful for the time I got to spend with him this year. He was a great mentor and a genuine person. My heart goes out to his family. Rest In Peace Chris.'
Animator Matthew Schofield added: 'I was shocked and saddened to learn of Chris Ledesma's recent passing. 'He very kindly arranged for me to sit in on the scoring session for my episode "Black Eyed, Please". A wonderful guy who genuinely loved his job. RIP Chris.'
The Simpsons official Twitter page also retweeted an array of the loving tributes to Chris to its own account. In September 2021, Chris had taken to Twitter to mark a 'significant' milestone as he confirmed he had worked on The Simpsons for 'half' his life.
He penned: 'Today is a significant milestone for me. I am 23,242 days old I have worked on The Simpsons for 11,621 days. Born 1/28/1958. First day on #TheSimpsons 11/22/1989.
'Not many can say they have worked at ANY job any more for LITERALLY half their lives.'
Chris, who lived in southern California his entire life, studied at the California Institute of the Arts and San Francisco Conservatory of Music as an orchestral conducting major.
He started playing piano at the age of three and is credited for working on feature films including Pure Country, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Blast from the Past.
Chris first entered showbiz in 1984 as a tour guide at Universal Studios Hollywood before starting work on The Simpsons and music editing every single episode for 33 years.
He was married to his wife Michelle for 39 years and they share two daughters together.