Margaret Booth was a renowned American film editor, born on January 16, 1898, in Los Angeles. She began her Hollywood career as a 'patcher' in 1915, working on films by the legendary D. W. Griffith. Her brother, Elmer Booth, was a well-known actor, and she later worked for independent film producer Louis B. Mayer.
When Mayer merged with others to form Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1924, Booth worked as a director's assistant for the company. She went on to edit numerous films, including those starring the iconic Greta Garbo, such as Camille (1936). Her impressive portfolio also includes Mutiny on the Bounty (1935),Wise Girls (1929),A Yank at Oxford (1938),and The Way We Were (1973),among many others.
Throughout her illustrious career, Booth received numerous accolades, including an Academy Honorary Award in 1978 for her outstanding work in film editing. She holds the distinction of being the longest-lived person to have received an Oscar, and her dedication to her craft earned her the Women in Film Crystal Award in 1983.
In 1990, Booth was honored with the American Cinema Editors Career Achievement Award, recognizing her significant contributions to the film industry. Margaret Booth passed away on October 28, 2002, at the age of 104, due to complications from a stroke. She is interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Booth's legacy as a pioneering female film editor continues to inspire and influence the industry, and her remarkable career serves as a testament to her talent, perseverance, and dedication to her craft.