---
name: "Ben Burtt"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ben-burtt"
fi1m_id: "ben-burtt"
imdb_id: "nm0123785"
tmdb_id: 670
wikidata_id: "Q816456"
roles: ["Sound designer"]
born: "12 July 1948"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 20
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_over: 18
updated: "2026-10-10T15:53:18.307314+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Ben Burtt

## Identity

Ben Burtt

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ben-burtt
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ben-burtt
- **IMDb ID:** nm0123785
- **TMDB ID:** 670
- **Wikidata ID:** Q816456
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Burtt, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q816456, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0123785/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/670

Sound designer. Born 12 July 1948 in Jamesville, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Sound designer
- **Born:** 12 July 1948, Jamesville, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1977–present
- **Also known as:** Benjamin Burtt Jr.
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 20: 1 acting, 1 writing, 18 crew
- **Frequently works with:** [Ewan McGregor](https://film.one/person/ewan-mcgregor.md), [George Lucas](https://film.one/person/george-lucas.md), [Natalie Portman](https://film.one/person/natalie-portman.md), [Rick McCallum](https://film.one/person/rick-mccallum.md), [Hayden Christensen](https://film.one/person/hayden-christensen.md), [Ian McDiarmid](https://film.one/person/ian-mcdiarmid.md), [Samuel L. Jackson](https://film.one/person/samuel-l-jackson.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 2 Oscars (2 won · 8 nominated)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 89 (3), 1980s 73 (7), 1990s 52 (1), 2000s 70 (5), 2010s 73 (3), 2020s 64 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 70 across 18 titles
- **Score spread:** 8 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Genres:** Adventure 12, Action 11, Science Fiction 11, Drama 3, History 2, Horror 2
- **Screen time:** 39 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $9,027m across 17 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Burtt, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q816456, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0123785/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/670

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*WALL·E*](https://film.one/film/walle.md) (92), [*Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith*](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md) (67), [*Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones*](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.md) (54), [*Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace*](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.md) (52)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ben Burtt

> Ben Burtt gives mechanical characters feelings we can hear without forgetting they are machines. His voice work in *WALL·E* is exceptional acting, built from small changes in sound rather than speeches explaining what the character wants.

In *WALL·E* (2008), Ben Burtt lets us hear a machine trying to make itself understood. A small change in the robot's voice can suggest eagerness or caution, all without losing the sense that these are machines. We rate this performance so highly because Burtt keeps both the feeling and the machinery audible. Opposite Elissa Knight's EVE, he gives the courtship enough uncertainty to make each attempt at communication matter. The sounds are simple to follow, but there is nothing perfunctory about them.

Burtt had been giving machines voices long before that courtship: his sound design for *Star Wars* (1977) included R2-D2's vocalisations. His collaborators include George Lucas and Steven Spielberg; he designed the title character's voice for *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982). His work on the *Star Wars* films continued through the original trilogy and the prequels, where he also edited some episodes; voice performance is one part of a broader craft. He draws on recordings of objects, animals and motors, as well as human vocal performance combined with electronic processing. On *WALL·E*, he was also supervising sound editor, bringing those skills to a film in which a robot had to hold our attention as a romantic lead.

Andrew Stanton gives that performance room, with a patient romance and long stretches in which almost nobody speaks. We were moved by WALL·E's exchanges with EVE because Burtt makes the effort of being understood so audible. Stanton and fellow screenwriter Jim Reardon provide a clear purpose for the sounds: these two are trying to reach one another.

*WALL·E*'s later action is less distinctive. The quieter exchanges give him more interesting work to do than the busier passages. That is where we would send anyone curious about him as a performer. Watch *WALL·E* for the romance, and give the small sounds as much attention as the pictures.

## Biography

Benjamin Burtt Jr. is an American sound designer, film editor, director and screenwriter. He was born on 12 July 1948 in Jamesville, New York.

Burtt worked as sound designer on the original *Star Wars* trilogy (1977–1983) and the *Indiana Jones* series. He served as supervising sound editor and sound designer on the prequel trilogy, and edited *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace* (1999), *Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones* (2002) and *Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith* (2005). He has also contributed to films including *Alien* (1979), *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982) and *WALL·E* (2008).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (20)

### Performed in (1)

- *WALL·E* (2008), Fi1m 92, as WALL·E / M-O (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/walle.md)

### Wrote (1)

- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), Fi1m 75, Sound Designer, Lyricist — [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)

### Crew (18) — the average rests on these

- *Ray Gunn* (2026), Fi1m 64, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/ray-gunn.md)
- *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* (2015), Fi1m 77, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens.md)
- *Star Trek Into Darkness* (2013), Fi1m 60, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-into-darkness.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), Fi1m 82, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* (2008), Fi1m 55, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull.md)
- *Munich* (2005), Fi1m 80, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/munich.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith* (2005), Fi1m 67, Editor, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones* (2002), Fi1m 54, Editor, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace* (1999), Fi1m 52, Editor, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.md)
- *Always* (1989), Fi1m 62, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/always.md)
- *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (1989), Fi1m 83, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade.md)
- *Howard the Duck* (1986), Fi1m 43, Sound Effects Editor, Sound Re-Recording Mixer — [page](https://film.one/film/howard-the-duck.md)
- *Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom* (1984), Fi1m 65, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-temple-of-doom.md)
- *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), Fi1m 93, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md)
- *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), Fi1m 92, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md)
- *Alien* (1979), Fi1m 92, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/alien.md)
- *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1978), Fi1m 86, Sound Effects Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers.md)
- *Star Wars* (1977), Fi1m 88, Sound Designer — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars.md)

## Complete filmography (62)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Ray Gunn* (2026), Sound Designer, Sound — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ray-gunn.md)
- *Star Wars Galaxy of Sounds* (2021), series, Sound Designer
- *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* (2015), Sound Designer — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens.md)
- *The Signal* (2014), Sound Designer
- *Star Trek Into Darkness* (2013), Sound Designer — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-into-darkness.md)
- *Escape from Planet Earth* (2013), Sound Designer
- *Lincoln* (2012), Sound Designer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *009 Re:Cyborg* (2012), Sound Designer
- *John Carter* (2012), Sound Designer
- *Red Tails* (2012), Sound Designer, Editor
- *Super 8* (2011), Sound Designer, Supervising Sound Editor
- *Star Trek* (2009), Special Sound Effects — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek.md)
- *WALL·E's Treasures & Trinkets* (2008), as WALL·E / M-O (voice)
- *Animation Sound Design: Building Worlds from the Sound Up* (2008), Actor
- *BURN·E* (2008), as WALL·E / M-O (voice) (uncredited) · Sound Designer
- *WALL·E* (2008), as WALL·E / M-O (voice) · Sound Re-Recording Mixer, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/walle.md)
- *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull* (2008), Sound Designer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull.md)
- *Munich* (2005), Sound Designer, Supervising Sound Editor — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/munich.md)
- *Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith* (2005), Editor, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-iii-revenge-of-the-sith.md)
- *Star Wars: Droids - Treasure of the Hidden Planet* (2004), Story
- *Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones* (2002), as Wat Tambor (uncredited) · Editor, Sound Designer, Supervising Sound Editor — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-ii-attack-of-the-clones.md)
- *Manassas: End of Innocence* (2002), Director
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Espionage Escapades* (2000), Sound Designer
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Demons of Deception* (1999), Editor
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Spring Break Adventure* (1999), Second Unit Director
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Daredevils of the Desert* (1999), Editor
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Mystery of the Blues* (1999), Second Unit Director
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Oganga, the Giver and Taker of Life* (1999), Editor, Second Unit Director
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Phantom Train of Doom* (1999), Second Unit Director
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Masks of Evil* (1999), Sound Designer
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Tales of Innocence* (1999), Sound Designer
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Trenches of Hell* (1999), Editor, Second Unit Director
- *Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace* (1999), as Naboo Courier (uncredited) · Editor, Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-episode-i-the-phantom-menace.md)
- *Behind the Scenes with King Kong in Special Effects* (1996), Director
- *Special Effects: Anything Can Happen* (1996), Director
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Travels with Father* (1996), Sound Designer
- *The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Attack of the Hawkmen* (1995), Director, Writer, Editor
- *Destiny in Space* (1994), Director
- *The American Gangster* (1992), Director
- *The True Story of Glory Continues* (1991), Director
- *Blue Planet* (1990), Director
- *Always* (1989), Sound Designer — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/always.md)
- *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (1989), Sound Designer — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-last-crusade.md)
- *Willow* (1988), Sound Designer
- *Howard the Duck* (1986), Sound Re-Recording Mixer, Sound Effects Editor — Fi1m 43, [page](https://film.one/film/howard-the-duck.md)
- *Star Wars: Droids - The Great Heep* (1986), Associate Producer, Writer
- *Star Wars: Droids* (1985), series, Story, Creator
- *The Adventures of André and Wally B.* (1984), Sound Designer
- *Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom* (1984), Sound Designer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/indiana-jones-and-the-temple-of-doom.md)
- *Return of the Jedi* (1983), as 'Freeze' Officer in Endor Bunker / Tortured Power Droid (voice) · Sound Designer, Lyricist — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md)
- *listen...* (1982), Sound Effects
- *Raiders of the Lost Ark* (1981), Sound Designer — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/raiders-of-the-lost-ark.md)
- *Porklips Now* (1980), Military Consultant
- *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), Sound Designer — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md)
- *More American Graffiti* (1979), Supervising Sound Editor
- *Alien* (1979), Sound Designer — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/alien.md)
- *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1978), Sound Effects Designer — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers.md)
- *The Star Wars Holiday Special* (1978), Sound Effects
- *Star Wars* (1977), Sound Designer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars.md)
- *Death Race 2000* (1975), Sound Designer
- *Recorded Live* (1975), Sound Re-Recording Mixer
- *A Bucket of Water and a Glass Matte*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Ben Burtt](https://film.one/media/person/89025/gallery-12a2b87ac9b6.jpg) Ben Burtt — Jo!Hannes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Ben_Burtt_Celebration_Europe_II.jpg/1280px-Ben_Burtt_Celebration_Europe_II.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ben Burtt à Célébration Europe 2 (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/89025/gallery-f6c2676d1488.jpg) Ben Burtt à Célébration Europe 2 (2013) — Jo!Hannes, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Ben_Burtt_Celebration_Europe_II_%28Cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Ben_Burtt_Celebration_Europe_II_%28Cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Director J.J. Abrams, actors Elle Fanning, Gabe Basso, Ryan Lee, composer Michael Giacchino, visual effects supervisor Dennis Muren and sound designer Ben Burtt (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/89025/gallery-c0e3632f8aa9.jpg) Director J.J. Abrams, actors Elle Fanning, Gabe Basso, Ryan Lee, composer Michael Giacchino, visual effects supervisor Dennis Muren and sound designer Ben Burtt (2012) — jvoves, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Elle_Fanning_at_a_meeting.jpg/1280px-Elle_Fanning_at_a_meeting.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![MasterClass SoundDesign 2017 with Ben Burtt in the premises of the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW).](https://film.one/media/person/89025/gallery-5d750e6ebb24.jpg) MasterClass SoundDesign 2017 with Ben Burtt in the premises of the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW). — MediaSoundHamburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/93/MasterClass_SoundDesign_2017_with_Ben_Burtt.jpg/1280px-MasterClass_SoundDesign_2017_with_Ben_Burtt.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ben Burtt](https://film.one/media/person/89025/gallery-a769ff4a87e3.jpg) Ben Burtt — Image via TMDB
- ![Star Wars Celebration (the 1st) - Ben Burtt, sound designer and editor (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/89025/gallery-21f0f870ac77.jpg) Star Wars Celebration (the 1st) - Ben Burtt, sound designer and editor (2007) — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Star_Wars_Celebration_%28the_1st%29_-_Ben_Burtt%2C_sound_designer_and_editor_%284878913832%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 2 won, 8 nominated

- 2009: Best Sound (nominated), for *WALL-E*
- 2009: Best Sound Editing (nominated), for *WALL-E*
- 2000: Best Sound Editing (nominated), for *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace*
- 1997: Best Documentary (Short Subject) (nominated), for *Special Effects: Anything Can Happen*
- 1990: Best Sound Editing (won), for *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*
- 1990: Best Sound (nominated), for *Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade*
- 1989: Best Sound Editing (nominated), for *Willow*
- 1984: Best Sound Editing (nominated), for *Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi*
- 1984: Best Sound (nominated), for *Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi*
- 1983: Best Sound Editing (won), for *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*

### Other awards — 2 won

- Special Achievement Academy Award 1982: Special Achievement Academy Award (won)
- Special Achievement Academy Award 1978: Special Achievement Academy Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/ben-burtt