James Bayard Carey

James Bayard Carey embarked on his final space journey on January 1, 2026. He passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Fe, NM. He is survived by his son, Colin Carey and Colin’s mother, Kelley, who remained an important and close presence in his life.

Best known as Bayard Carey, he was an accomplished motion picture sound mixer, filmmaker, designer, motorcycle enthusiast and adventurer whose film career spanned more than four decades and took him to some of the most remote, demanding and interesting locations in the world.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Bayard was educated at private schools in Connecticut and Vermont, later studying at the Webber Douglas School of Dramatic Art in London and at the San Francisco Art Institute, where he learned sound recording from Academy Award winner Walter Murch. He also attended the International Film Workshops in Camden, Maine, and received Emmy Award nominations in 2006 and 2007.

Before entering the film industry, Bayard spent over nine years working in the mountaineering and outdoor equipment business with Eastern Mountain Sports in Boston, Sierra Designs in Berkeley, and as a manager for the original Marmot Mountain Works store. His passion for the outdoors would become central to his later work in film.

In 1980, Bayard began his motion picture career in New York as an apprentice film editor on They All Laughed and Ragtime. He soon returned to the West Coast to work at Lucasfilm as an assistant editor on the Emmy Award winning documentary The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark. A chance encounter at Marmot led him to join director Carroll Ballard on Never Cry Wolf, followed by work in Los Angeles with legendary director Sam Peckinpah on The Osterman Weekend, where Bayard ultimately transitioned fully into sound recording. Bayard made his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he lived and worked since 1985. Over more than 40 years, he recorded sound on films across the globe, including locations such as Antarctica, Alaska, India, Russia, the Arctic, deserts, alpine peaks, rivers, and open oceans. He was widely respected for his technical skill, calm presence, and ability to work in extreme environments.

Living in Santa Fe lead to the chance meeting of Kelley. 5 years later they had their son, Colin, and Bayard became a Dad. By the time Colin was 4, Bayard and he were riding motorcycles and forever had a bond over bikes. He will be remembered for being a great Dad who provided an amazing childhood filled with movie sets, motorcycles, travel and adventure. 

Additionally, Bayard was a member of the Cinema Audio Society, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and IATSE Local 480 as a founding member, as well as IATSE Local 695. He collaborated with an extraordinary range of filmmakers and artists, including Robert Redford, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Michael Douglas, Jeff Bridges, Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Cate Blanchett, Robert Duvall, Amy Adams, and many others. Notable films he worked on include Selina, Ten Things I Hate About You, Crazy Heart, The Company You Keep, Jane Got a Gun, The Missing, Woman Walks Ahead and dozens of others.

As a man of many talents, Bayard was also a hammock designer whose work was featured in the California Design Exhibition in Pasadena and sold commercially. He was also a screenwriter and an advocate for stories led by strong, independent women.

Bayard Carey will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, friendly demeanor, quiet mastery of sound, and deep respect for both storytelling and the natural world.

Services are pending at this time.