Grammy-winning composer Lalo Schifrin, best known for the thrilling ‘Mission: Impossible’ theme, has passed away at the age of 93. As reported by Variety, the legendary Argentine musician’s demise was due to complications from pneumonia.Lalo Schifrin was one of the first to mix a wide range of musical ideas—from jazz and rock to complex orchestral sounds—into scores for film and TV. His creative style brought new life to Hollywood music, especially during the 1960s and 70s, when he produced many unforgettable soundtracks. His work during this time became a benchmark for movie music. The energy and emotion in his scores helped bring stories to life on screen, making him a favourite among filmmakers and audiences alike.
The iconic ‘Mission: Impossible’ theme
Of all his creations, the theme for ‘Mission: Impossible’ is perhaps his most famous. It won him two of his five Grammy Awards and earned three of his four Emmy nominations. The exciting theme became even more popular when it was used in the eight Tom Cruise-led ‘Mission’ films starting in 1996.The first ‘Mission: Impossible’ soundtrack album, released in 1968, was a big hit and even made it to number 41 on the Billboard pop charts. Schifrin’s thrilling score brought a new level of excitement to spy stories and action films.
Many Oscar nominations, one honorary win
According to Variety, Schifrin was nominated six times for an Oscar. These included best score nods for ‘Cool Hand Luke’ (1967), ‘The Fox’ (1968), ‘Voyage of the Damned’ (1976), ‘The Amityville Horror’ (1979), and ‘The Sting II’ (1983). He also received a best-song nomination for ‘The Competition’ (1980).In November 2018, Schifrin received a special honour—an Honorary Oscar from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He became only the third composer ever to be given this award.
A rich career in television
Schifrin didn’t just shine in cinema—his music also played a big part in television. As reported by Variety, he composed music for more than 40 TV films and miniseries. These included the 1966 thriller ‘Doomsday Flight’, about a man who plants a bomb on a plane, and 1980s and 90s hits like ‘Princess Daisy’, ‘A.D.’, ‘Out on a Limb’, ‘A Woman Named Jackie’ and ‘Don Quixote’.He also created themes for several TV shows, including ‘Blue Light’, ‘The Young Lawyers’, ‘Planet of the Apes’, ‘Bronk’ and ‘Glitter’. His scores brought a strong emotional tone to each project, adding depth and drama to the stories.
Tributes Pour in from fans
Following news of Schifrin’s demise, fans took to social media to express their sorrow and admiration.Schifrin’s last major work was a heartfelt nod to his homeland. He teamed up with fellow Argentine composer Rod Schejtman to create Long Live Freedom, a 35-minute symphony dedicated to Argentina. The piece made its debut on April 5 at the famous Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, reported Variety.He is survived by his wife, Donna, and three children—William (and wife Lissa), Frances (and husband John Newcombe), and Ryan (and wife Theresa)—along with four grandchildren.
