Jerry Goldsmith

Jerry Goldsmith
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Name	Jerry Goldsmith
Caption	Goldsmith in 1976
Birth name	Jerrald King Goldsmith
Birth date	10 February 1929
Birth place	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Death date	21 July 2004
Death place	Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation	Composer, conductor
Years active	1950–2004
Spouse	Sharon Hennagin (m. 1950; div. 1970), Carol Heather (m. 1972; div. 1978), Larry McMurtry's sister? No, incorrect. Let's state: Carol Heather (m. 1972; div. 1978) Actually, let's simplify: Sharon Hennagin (m. 1950; div. 1970), Carol Heather (m. 1972; div. 1978)
Children	4, including Joel Goldsmith
Awards	Academy Award (1), Emmy Awards (5), Golden Globe Awards (2), Grammy Awards (5)

Jerry Goldsmith was an American composer and conductor renowned for his prolific and influential work in film and television music. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he scored some of the most iconic and diverse projects in Hollywood history, from epic science fiction to intimate psychological drama. His innovative approach, characterized by bold orchestration and thematic depth, earned him widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and multiple Emmy Awards. Goldsmith's music remains a foundational pillar of the cinematic arts, celebrated for its emotional power and technical mastery.

Early life and education

Jerrald King Goldsmith was born in Los Angeles and developed an early interest in music, initially studying piano. He attended the University of Southern California, where he studied composition under renowned teachers like Miklós Rózsa, the celebrated composer for *Ben-Hur*. His early professional training occurred in the music department at CBS, where he worked on live radio dramas, gaining practical experience in scoring for narrative. This foundational period, immersed in the demanding world of live broadcast, honed his skills in quick composition and dramatic timing, preparing him for the challenges of film scoring.

Career

Goldsmith's career began in television during the 1950s, where he composed for series like *The Twilight Zone* and *Playhouse 90*, establishing his reputation for atmospheric and inventive music. His breakthrough in film came with his score for *Lonely Are the Brave* (1962), but it was his work on *Planet of the Apes* (1968) that demonstrated his radical, avant-garde techniques, using unconventional instruments to create a primal soundscape. He formed long-standing creative partnerships with directors such as Franklin J. Schaffner, Joe Dante, and particularly Ridley Scott, for whom he scored the landmark *Alien* (1979). Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, he remained a dominant force, contributing seminal works to genres ranging from horror with *The Omen* to adventure with the *Star Trek* film franchise.

Musical style and influences

Goldsmith's musical style was notably eclectic and innovative, often blending traditional Romantic orchestral writing with stark modernist elements and electronic experimentation. He was influenced by the dramatic intensity of composers like Bernard Herrmann and the complex rhythms of Igor Stravinsky. A master of orchestration, he frequently employed unusual instrumental combinations, such as the serpent and blaster beam in *Star Trek: The Motion Picture*, to create unique sonic identities for his films. His scores are celebrated for their strong, memorable themes and their precise psychological alignment with a film's narrative, whether in the heroic fanfare for *Patton* or the eerie choral work for *Poltergeist*.

Notable works and collaborations

Among his vast output, several scores stand as landmarks in film music history. His work for *Chinatown* (1974) features a melancholic trumpet theme that perfectly captures the film's noir atmosphere. The driving, percussive score for *Papillon* (1973) and the majestic, spiritual music for *The Wind and the Lion* (1975) showcase his range. His collaborations with director Paul Verhoeven on *Total Recall* and *Basic Instinct* resulted in powerfully aggressive and seductive scores, respectively. For television, his main title for *The Waltons* remains an enduringly popular piece of Americana.

Awards and recognition

Goldsmith received 18 Academy Award nominations, winning for his chilling score to *The Omen* in 1977. He was honored with five Emmy Awards, including for his work on the miniseries *Masada* and the *Babe* sequel. He also won two Golden Globe Awards and five Grammy Awards. In 1994, he was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and his legacy is preserved through recordings by major orchestras like the London Symphony Orchestra and the National Philharmonic Orchestra.

Personal life and death

Goldsmith was married twice, first to Sharon Hennagin and later to Carol Heather, and was the father of four children, including composer Joel Goldsmith. He was known as a dedicated and intensely focused professional, often working long hours to meet demanding production schedules. In his later years, he continued to compose prolifically despite health challenges. Goldsmith died of cancer in Beverly Hills in 2004, leaving behind a monumental catalog of work that continues to inspire composers and captivate audiences worldwide.

Category:American film composers Category:Academy Award winners Category:20th-century American composers