Lalo Schifrin, the composer behind the iconic ‘Mission: Impossible’ theme, has passed away at the age of 93

Lalo Schifrin, who composed the famous Mission: Impossible theme, has away at the age of 93 after a long career in film music.

According to news reports on Thursday, Lalo Schifrin, a renowned Argentine composer who is best known for writing the famous theme from Mission: Impossible and composing music for other high-profile Hollywood films, passed away at the age of 93.

The Hollywood Reporter was informed of the death by his son, William Schifrin. Additional questions had not been answered by the composer’s representatives as of the time of writing.

In his adolescent years, Schifrin, who was born in Buenos Aires in 1932, fell deeply in love with American jazz, a love that would influence his style throughout his career. He used jazz and orchestral elements to create some of the most unique soundtracks in movie and television history. He was trained as a pianist and conductor.

Perhaps the most enduring legacy of Schifrin is the theme from Mission: Impossible, which was originally written for the 1966 CBS television series. Its unorthodox 5/4 time signature and dramatic flare made it instantly recognizable, and it later served as the soundtrack for the popular Tom Cruise film franchise.

The Amityville Horror (1979) and Cool Hand Luke (1967) were among the six Academy Awards for which Schifrin received nominations during his illustrious career. His status as a master of cinematic music was further cemented when he was awarded four Grammy Awards.

A 2018 honorary Oscar was given to Schifrin in recognition of his lifetime contributions to cinema music. Actor-director and close friend Clint Eastwood, with whom Schifrin collaborated on multiple films, presented the award.

Lalo Schifrin creates a striking legacy; his songs captivate audiences of all ages and revolutionize the music of suspenseful film.