Ben Burtt
Sound
Biography
Benjamin "Ben" Burtt, Jr. is a sound designer, film editor, director, screenwriter, and voice actor. He has worked as sound designer on various films, including the Star Wars and Indiana Jones film series, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, WALL-E, and Star Trek. He is responsible for creating many of the iconic sound effects heard in the Star Wars film franchise, including the binary speech of R2-D2, the lightsaber hum, the sound of the blaster guns, and the heavy-breathing sound of Darth Vader, which he made by breathing into a scuba regulator. Burtt has a reputation for popularizing a sound effect dubbed the "Wilhelm scream", which was taken from a character named Wilhelm in the 1953 film The Charge at Feather River.
Filmography
Acting (41)
2021
6.9
2019
6.9
2018
The Force of Soundas Self
8.3
2015
I Am Your Fatheras Himself
6.5
2014
And the Oscar Goes To...as Self - Interviewee
6.8
2014
EditDroid: Rise and Fallas Self
2013
10.0
2013
Lincoln: An American Journeyas Self
5.5
2012
Wings: Grandeur in the Skyas Self
7.0
6.7
2008
WALL·E's Treasures & Trinketsas WALL·E / M-O (voice)
7.0
2008
BURN·Eas WALL·E / M-O (voice) (uncredited)
7.5
2008
WALL·Eas WALL·E / M-O (voice)
8.1
2007
Fog City Mavericksas Self
8.5
6.2
7.0
2006
7.0
4.7
7.2
2005
6.5
2005
5.0
2004
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogyas Self - Sound Designer
7.6
2004
8.8
2003
The Sound of 'Indiana Jones'as Self
6.0
2002
6.0
6.0
2002
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clonesas Wat Tambor (uncredited)
6.6
2001
R2-D2: Beneath the Domeas Self
6.7
1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menaceas Naboo Courier (uncredited)
6.6
1997
8.0
1996
7.4
1983
7.4
1983
Return of the Jedias 'Freeze' Officer in Endor Bunker / Tortured Power Droid (voice)
7.9
1980
8.0
1980
8.2
1980
7.3
Production & Directing (75)
2026
Ray GunnSound Designer
2015
Star Wars: The Force AwakensSound Designer
7.2
2014
The SignalSound Designer
6.0
2013
Star Trek Into DarknessSound Designer
7.3
2013
Escape from Planet EarthSound Designer
5.8
2012
LincolnSound Designer
6.8
2012
009 Re:CyborgSound Designer
7.0
2012
John CarterSound Designer
6.4
2012
Red TailsSound Designer
6.7
2012
Red TailsEditor
6.7
2011
Super 8Sound Designer
6.8
2011
Super 8Supervising Sound Editor
6.8
2009
Star TrekSpecial Sound Effects
7.4
2008
BURN·ESound Designer
7.5
2008
WALL·ESupervising Sound Editor
8.1
2008
WALL·ESound Re-Recording Mixer
8.1
2008
WALL·ESound Designer
8.1
2008
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal SkullSound Designer
6.0
2005
MunichSound Designer
7.1
2005
MunichSupervising Sound Editor
7.1
7.5
2005
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the SithSupervising Sound Editor
7.5
2005
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the SithSound Designer
7.5
6.6
2002
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the ClonesSound Designer
6.6
2002
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the ClonesSupervising Sound Editor
6.6
2002
Manassas: End of InnocenceDirector
8.0
2000
5.4
1999
5.8
1999
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Mystery of the BluesSecond Unit Director
5.8
1999
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Oganga, the Giver and Taker of LifeSecond Unit Director
6.0
1999
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Spring Break AdventureSecond Unit Director
5.9
1999
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Phantom Train of DoomSecond Unit Director
6.1
1999
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Masks of EvilSound Designer
5.3
1999
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Trenches of HellSecond Unit Director
5.8
6.6
1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom MenaceSupervising Sound Editor
6.6
1999
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom MenaceSound Designer
6.6
1996
10.0
1996
6.1
6.0
1994
Destiny in SpaceDirector
7.1
1992
The American GangsterDirector
10.0
1991
6.8
1990
Blue PlanetDirector
6.1
1989
AlwaysSound Designer
6.2
1989
Indiana Jones and the Last CrusadeSound Designer
7.9
1988
WillowSound Designer
7.0
1986
Howard the DuckSound Re-Recording Mixer
5.5
1986
Howard the DuckSound Effects Editor
5.5
1986
6.2
1986
Star Wars: Droids - The Great HeepAssociate Producer
6.2
1984
The Adventures of André and Wally B.Sound Designer
5.2
1984
Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomSound Designer
7.3
1983
Return of the JediSound Designer
7.9
1983
Return of the JediLyricist
7.9
1982
listen...Sound Effects
1981
Raiders of the Lost ArkSound Designer
7.9
1980
Porklips NowMilitary Consultant
5.9
1980
The Empire Strikes BackSound Designer
8.4
1979
More American GraffitiSupervising Sound Editor
5.2
1979
AlienSound Designer
8.2
1978
Invasion of the Body SnatchersSound Effects Designer
7.2
1978
The Star Wars Holiday SpecialSound Effects
3.4
1977
Star WarsSound Designer
8.2
1975
Death Race 2000Sound Designer
6.2
1975
Recorded LiveSound Re-Recording Mixer
7.3