Lalo Schifrin, Legendary Composer, Passes Away at 93
Lalo Schifrin, the renowned composer best known for creating the unforgettable theme for Mission: Impossible, has passed away at the age of 93. His son, William Schifrin, confirmed the sad news, stating that his father died from complications related to pneumonia.
During his illustrious career, Schifrin was nominated for six Academy Awards and penned scores for over 100 films. In 2018, he received an honorary Oscar at the Academy’s prestigious Governors Awards.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Schifrin was immersed in music from a young age. His father played the violin at the Teatro Colon Opera, and Schifrin himself was a skilled pianist. In his youth, he played alongside famous tango musician Astor Piazzolla and even led a 16-piece jazz band. A fortuitous meeting with jazz great Dizzy Gillespie led to his move to the United States, where he continued to flourish.
His unique musical style combined tango and jazz, influencing his work on iconic films such as Clint Eastwood’s Dirty Harry series. Schifrin’s efforts didn’t stop there; he also composed the theme for the original Mission: Impossible TV series, which aired from 1966 to 1973. This theme lives on in the popular film franchise starring Tom Cruise.
In addition to his work on Mission: Impossible, Schifrin’s filmography includes memorable scores for classics such as Cool Hand Luke, Enter the Dragon, and The Amityville Horror. He even made a cameo in Red Dragon, where he appeared as an orchestra conductor.
Schifrin’s influence extends into the modern music scene, with his track "Danube Incident" from the Mission: Impossible soundtrack being sampled by contemporary artists.
He is survived by his wife, Donna, three children, and four grandchildren. The music world has lost a true icon, but Lalo Schifrin’s legacy will continue to resonate through the generations.
