Greg Crawford ’76 – The Sound Behind Hollywood’s Biggest Hits

Greg Crawford ’76 has built a legendary career in the world of film and television as a sound designer and ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) mixer, with over 1,000 credits spanning blockbuster films, acclaimed TV shows, and beloved classics. His work has been featured in six of the top 20 highest-grossing films of all time, including Avengers: Endgame, Spiderman: No Way Home, Inside Out 2, Furious 7, and Black Panther. Click here to view his IMDb profile.

He’s contributed ADR to numerous Academy Award-nominated films, such as Dune, Encanto, Coco, Spotlight, Hidden Figures, Moana, and Lincoln. In the television world, Greg has shaped the sound of shows like The Walking Dead, The Vampire Diaries, Stranger Things, Ozark, and Cobra Kai. For over 26 years, he also brought the Muppets to life—recording Kermit, Beaker, and the whole gang for countless projects.

But Greg’s journey in audio began in a very special place—right here in Cincinnati.

“My first recording job was at AudioCraft Recording in Cincinnati, owned by Bucky Herzog,” Greg shares. “Bucky recorded classics like Hank Williams’ I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Lovesick Blues, and Foggy Mountain Breakdown with Flatt and Scruggs.” The studio, located on Race Street across from The Phoenix, is even marked by a historical plaque placed by Bootsy Collins. “It was an incredible first step into the world of professional audio.”

Before that, it all started at Roger Bacon High School.

Greg credits his time at RB as the foundation for his entire career. “I learned to read music there. I met incredible musicians and friends. That’s where my love for sound took root.” The friendships he formed in the Spartan Marching Band, led by Wes Neal and Fr. Celcius, eventually grew into his first band—and those same classmates still perform today as “A Sound Body.”

He also fondly remembers Fr. Elliott, whose love for literature inspired Greg’s own passion for the spoken word—an invaluable tool in his work. “I can still recite Polonius’ advice to Laertes from memory,” he says with a smile.

A highlight from his time at RB was the band’s second-place finish at the Festival of States competition in 1974. “It required so much dedication, and no one ever complained. We were united, working toward something bigger than ourselves.”

Greg encourages today’s students to “identify what you love and what you’re naturally drawn to. I didn’t know it at the time, but recording sounds on cassette tapes and building electronic kits as a kid were signs of what I’d end up doing for a living.”

He also emphasizes the values instilled during his time at Roger Bacon: “Even if it’s difficult, doing the right thing is always best. The teachers and staff at RB were some of the most kind, dedicated people I’ve ever met, and they shaped how I approach life and work.”

Greg’s journey wouldn’t be complete without mentioning his older brother, Steve Crawford ’67, who taught him guitar at age 10. “That was life-changing. When I struggled to afford college, he let me live with him. None of this would have happened without him. He’s the real Spartan.”

Greg has lived in Atlanta since 1986, where he met his wife Denise. Married since 1988, they have two sons: James, an editor on The Equalizer (CBS), and Adam, owner of the Atlanta-based art gallery Cat Eye Creative.

From the halls of Roger Bacon to the stages of Hollywood, Greg Crawford’s career is a testament to following your passion, holding onto your values, and never forgetting your roots.