The Grammy Award-winning composer of the Mission: Impossible theme, Lalo Schifrin, has died aged 93, his family announced. The Argentine musician's son, Ryan Schifrin, confirmed his father died of complications from pneumonia on Thursday, in a statement shared with the BBC's US partner CBS. Schifrin was known for his unique percussive and jazzy style during a career that spanned more than six decades, with over 100 film and TV soundtracks to his name. He was nominated for six Oscars and won four Grammys, three of which were for his most celebrated theme for the Mission: Impossible TV series in 1966, which he later updated for the Tom Cruise blockbuster film franchise. Schifrin's family said he "passed peacefully" surrounded by loved ones and thanked the public for their moving messages of support. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences paid tribute to the musician's "genius" compositions which "built tension, ignited adrenaline and gave stories their pulse". "We'll forever remember the composer who turned every beat into a thrill, and every silence into suspense," it said in a post on X. The prolific artist - a composer, pianist and conductor - was a consistent nominee at the Oscars with scores for films such as The Sting II, Cool Hand Luke, The Amityville Horror and Dirty Harry. In 2018, Schifrin received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar presented by Dirty Harry lead Clint Eastwood, who hailed his "unique musical style, his compositional integrity, and his influential contributions to the art of film scoring". When accepting the honour, the Argentine musician said composing for film had given him "a lifetime of joy and creativity" and the award was "a culmination of a dream". "It is a Mission: Accomplished," he said at the time. Born into a musical family in Buenos Aires, Schifrin studied classical piano as a child before moving to Paris in his early 20s to play jazz - later sharing the stage with famous artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Count Basie. After a move to America, he began writing for Hollywood with an eccentric blend of musical genres including jazz, classical, contemporary and pop. His most unforgettable melody for Mission: Impossible was written in an unusual 5/4 time signature and, in his words, was intended to inject "a little humour, lightness" to form a theme "that didn't take itself too seriously". The result became a global earworm to introduce one of the most successful film franchises, with the latest iteration Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning crossing $540m (£393m) worldwide.
Mission Impossible theme composer, Lalo Schifrin, dies at 93
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"Lalo Schifrin, Composer of Mission: Impossible Theme, Dies at 93"
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Lalo Schifrin, the celebrated composer best known for his iconic theme for the Mission: Impossible franchise, has passed away at the age of 93 due to complications from pneumonia, as confirmed by his son, Ryan Schifrin. His family announced the news, stating that he died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. Schifrin's career, which spanned over six decades, was marked by a distinctive blend of jazz, classical, and contemporary styles that garnered him significant acclaim in the music industry. He composed over 100 film and television soundtracks and received six Oscar nominations throughout his lifetime, winning four Grammy Awards, three of which were for his work on the Mission: Impossible theme, originally created for the 1966 television series and later reimagined for the film adaptations starring Tom Cruise. His family expressed gratitude for the public's support during this difficult time and reflected on his legacy as a musical pioneer.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences praised Schifrin's contributions, describing his compositions as integral to building tension and excitement in film. His work not only defined the sound of action and suspense but also left an indelible mark on the art of film scoring. Schifrin, who received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2018 from Clint Eastwood, had previously remarked that composing for film brought him immense joy and fulfillment, describing the accolade as a culmination of his dreams. Born in Buenos Aires into a musical family, he began his musical journey studying classical piano before transitioning to jazz in Paris. After moving to the United States, he made a name for himself in Hollywood with a unique style that incorporated various musical genres. His unforgettable Mission: Impossible theme, characterized by its unusual 5/4 time signature, became a cultural phenomenon, introducing audiences to one of the most successful film franchises in history, with the latest installment, Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, achieving significant box office success worldwide.
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