Ed Carlin began his memorable life in March of 1943 in Los Angeles, California.
Ed is survived by his wife Cindy of 19 years, his two children, Tina and Michael, two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Ed’s passing leaves a great void.
Following his entrepreneurial spirit, Ed began in the entertainment industry in 1963 as a lighting technician. By 1972, he was buying lighting equipment as a tax shelter and reinvesting all his revenues to grow the inventory. The ensuing company rapidly outgrew the family garage, and in February 1977, the company was christened Keylite Rental Co., Inc.
Continuing the path of lighting, in 1976, Ed was the lighting director for Academy Award-winner Richard Kline on his films “King Kong,” “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” and “The Fury.”
His storied career included lighting President Ronald Reagan on three separate occasions and coordinating with NASA on four space shuttle landings, including the shuttle’s first night landing. In addition, Ed lit the Hollywood Christmas Parade for nine years, the Academy Awards ceremony in the early 1980s and facilitated the lighting for 40-50 feature films per year.
Ed was a past president of Lakeside Golf Club in Toluca Lake, California, an associate member of the American Society of Cinematographers, and a longtime member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 728.
Ed’s favorite hobbies were golf and travel. Accompanied by his wife Cindy, Ed continued to travel throughout his retirement until his untimely passing.
Ed and his wife Cindy retired to Coos Bay, Oregon. While on their way back home, after visiting friends in Napa, Ed passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 5 at the age of 80.
