He edited films from notable directors including Zoltan Korda, Frank Capra, and George Stevens.
Universal Pictures almost brought him on board to completely re-edit George Lucas' American Graffiti.
[citation needed] Hornbeck started his editing career in his teens with the Keystone Studios, which were located close to his family's home in Los Angeles, California.
In her appreciation, Jeanine Basinger wrote "A true pioneer and a major international influence on film editing, Hornbeck and his work should be remembered for its quality and influence, as well as for his contribution in terms of training a whole generation of young editors in both England and America.
"[2] Some of his papers are included in the Ogden and Mary Louise Reid Cinema Archives at Wesleyan University Filmography based on the listing at the Internet Movie Database.