R.I.P. Sally Menke
Written by Joe D on September 28th, 2010
Sally Menke, at my wine harvest party, 9/19/2010
I can’t believe I’m writing about the sudden passing of a dear friend, Sally Menke. I’ve known Sally and her husband Dean Parisot for a long time, over 23 years. I met them in NYC , I worked with Dean on The Appointments Of Dennis Jennings. We were all very close , I played guitar for Sally’s baby girl Isabella. Sally came out to Hollywood shortly after me. She cut Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Then she met Quentin Tarantino and edited Reservoir Dogs for him. He liked her so much that she cut all his subsequent films. Four Rooms, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill, Death Proof, and Inglorious Basterds. Between Tarantino jobs she edited Heaven And Earth for Oliver Stone, All The Pretty Horses and Mullholland Falls. She was nominated for an Oscar for Inglorious Basterds and Pulp Fiction. She should have won. Sally brought me onboard on Kill Bill and I worked with her on all the Tarantino films after that. I can never thank her enough for her generosity, friendship and love. I saw her about a week ago at a grape harvest, pizza party at my house and she looked great, seemed to be in a great place, relaxed, really cool. Peace Be With You Sally, we all miss you and love you.
Quentin loved Sally so much, he always had his actors say hello to her.
28
PM
I, too, am in shock. I just heard the news a few minutes ago. Words fail me.
28
PM
I’m in shock Joe. I agree that when I sat next to her last Sunday Sally seemed very relaxed and in a good place. I know how close you are with her as well as Dean. I am thinking of you all…a truly tragic day.
29
AM
Just saw the news, and thought of you, Joe. Terrible to lose a friend that way; and the rest of us would have liked to have seen the next dozen projects she cut.
30
AM
Thanks for writing. It’s too sad to comprehend.