The sound categories has gone through several changes over the years. Here are the main timeline:
1930-2 (in 1930 there were two ceremonies in a single year) – Best Sound was introduced
1931-1932 the category was not film specific, but the nominees were the studio’s sound departments
1934-1963 (no ceremony in 1933) a single film specific category (Best Sound)
1964-1968 two categories (Best Sound/Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing)
1969-1982 a single category (Best Sound)
1983-1984 two categories (Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing)
1985 a single category (Best Sound)
1986-1987 two categories (Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing)
1988 a single category (Best Sound)
1989-2020 two categories (Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing)
2021-present a single category (Best Sound)
Please be aware that Oscar year refers to the year the Oscars were held and not the year the film was released.
For better comparison we have combined the Sound Mixing and the Best Sound categories, as these traditionally has been judged similarly.
This has of course changed with the new Best Sound category in 2021. So we are discussing what to do going forward.
Only Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Sound Editing has been counted here. Early on sound effects was part of the special effects category and later honorary awards was handed out for sound effects editing. But on this page we have only counted competitive sound specific categories.
Most nominated sound person (All sound categories)
Andy Nelson (24 nominations – 2 Oscars)
All Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Kevin O’Connell (22 nominations – 1 Oscar)
All Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Gary Rydstrom (19 nominations – 7 Oscars)
11x Best Sound/Sound Mixing (4 Oscars)
8x Best Sound Editing (3 Oscars)
John P. Livadary (17 nominations – 3 Oscars)
All Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Nathan Levinson (17 nominations – 1 Oscar)
All Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Most winning sound person (All sound categories)
Gary Rydstrom (7 Oscars – 19 nominations)
4x Best Sound/Sound Mixing (10 nominations)
3x Best Sound Editing (8 nominations)
Douglas Shearer (5 Oscars – 15 nominations)
All Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Thomas T. Moulton (5 Oscars – 15 nominations)
All Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Fred Hynes (5 Oscars – 7 nominations)
All Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Most nominated for Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Andy Nelson (24 nominations – 2 Oscars)
Kevin O’Connell (22 nominations – 1 Oscar)
John P. Livadary (17 nominations – 3 Oscars)
Nathan Levinson (17 nominations – 1 Oscar)
Gordon Sawyer (16 nominations – 3 Oscars)
Greg P. Russell (16 nominations – 0 Oscars)*
*Greg P. Russell was nominated a 17th time in 2017 (for 13 Hours), but his nomination was revoked because he violated Academy campaign regulations.
Most winning for Best Sound/Sound Mixing
Douglas Shearer (5 Oscars – 15 nominations)
Thomas T. Moulton (5 Oscars – 15 nominations)
Fred Hynes (5 Oscars – 7 nominations)
Most nominated for Best Sound Editing
Alan Robert Murray (10 nominations – 2 Oscars)
Richard Hymns (9 nominations – 3 Oscars)
Gary Rydstrom (8 nominations – 3 Oscars)
Wylie Stateman (8 nominations – 0 Oscars)
George Watters II (8 nominations – 2 Oscars)
Most winning for Best Sound Editing
Richard King (4 Oscars – 6 nominations)
Richard Hymns (3 Oscars – 9 nominations)
Gary Rydstrom (3 Oscars – 8 nominations)
Charles L. Campbell (3 Oscars – 4 nominations)
Per Hallberg (3 Oscars – 4 nominations)
Consecutive awards (All sound categories)
Thomas T. Moulton – 3 years in a row
1951 – All About Eve
1950 – Twelve O’Clock High
1949 – The Snake Pit
The following has won 2 consecutive awards:
Michael Minkler (2002-2003)
Gary Rydstrom (1998-1999)
Gary Summers (1998-1999)
David Macmillan (1995-1996)
Russell Williams II (1990-1991)
Thomas Scott (1984-1985)
Mark Berger (1984-1985)
Gregg Landaker (1981-1982)
Steve Maslow (1981-1982)
Bill Varney (1981-1982)
Robert Knudson (1973-1974)
David Hildyard (1972-1973)
Gordon Sawyer (1961-1962)
Fred Hynes (1960-1961)
Douglas Shearer (1936-1937)