The music world mourns the loss of Grammy-winning composer Lalo Schifrin, best known for his electrifying theme for the Mission: Impossible series. Schifrin's son, Ryan, confirmed in a heartfelt statement to CBS that his father passed away from pneumonia complications on Thursday, surrounded by family.
Schifrin's impressive career spanned more than six decades, featuring a distinctive blend of percussion and jazz. He composed over 100 soundtracks for film and television and garnered six Oscar nominations throughout his lifetime. His most recognizable work earned him four Grammy awards, three of which were awarded for the memorable Mission: Impossible television theme created in 1966, later adapted for the film series led by Tom Cruise.
In a tribute, Schifrin's family expressed gratitude for the public's overwhelming support during this difficult time, stating he "passed peacefully." The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences paid homage to Schifrin's remarkable talent, stating that his compositions "built tension, ignited adrenaline and gave stories their pulse."
The prolific composer, pianist, and conductor was a regular fixture at the Academy Awards, with musical contributions to classics like The Sting II, Cool Hand Luke, Dirty Harry, and The Amityville Horror. Notably, he received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2018 from Clint Eastwood, who recognized Schifrin’s unique style and significant contributions to film scoring.
Reflecting on his career, Schifrin expressed that composing for films had gifted him "a lifetime of joy and creativity," labeling the honor as "a culmination of a dream" and playfully declaring, "It is a Mission: Accomplished."
Born into a musical family in Buenos Aires, Schifrin studied classical piano in his youth before moving to Paris to pursue jazz. He later relocated to the United States, where he created a fusion of musical genres, particularly infusing elements of jazz, classical, and pop into his scores.
His unforgettable Mission: Impossible theme, famously composed in an unconventional 5/4 time signature, was designed, according to Schifrin himself, to inject "a little humor and lightness" into the pulse of the series. This playful approach helped forge one of the most recognizable soundtracks in cinematic history, with Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning recently surpassing $540 million in global ticket sales.
