American film composer
Born: May 29, 1953
Danny Elfman is an American composer, singer, and songwriter, widely recognized for his contributions to the world of film scores and music. He was born on May 29, 1953, in Los Angeles, California. Elfman initially gained prominence as the lead vocalist and songwriter for the new wave band Oingo Boingo in the 1980s.
In the late 1980s, Elfman transitioned into composing film scores, marking the beginning of a highly successful career in the industry. He first collaborated with director Tim Burton on the film “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure” (1985), which led to a long-standing creative partnership between the two. Elfman’s unique and distinctive style of composing became synonymous with Burton’s dark and fantastical films, including “Beetlejuice” (1988), “Batman” (1989), “Edward Scissorhands” (1990), and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993).
Elfman’s work often combines whimsical and haunting melodies, incorporating elements of orchestral music, choral arrangements, and unconventional instruments. His compositions have received critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including four Academy Award nominations for his scores in “Good Will Hunting” (1997), “Men in Black” (1997), “Big Fish” (2003), and “Milk” (2008).
Apart from his collaboration with Tim Burton, Elfman has worked with various other acclaimed directors, such as Sam Raimi (“Spider-Man” trilogy), Gus Van Sant (“Good Will Hunting,” “Milk”), and Guillermo del Toro (“Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “Pan’s Labyrinth”).
In addition to his film work, Elfman has also composed music for television shows, such as “The Simpsons” theme song, as well as stage productions, including the musical “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” He has released several solo albums, including “So-Lo” (1984) and “Big Mess” (2021), showcasing his versatility as a singer-songwriter.
Danny Elfman’s impact on the world of film music is immeasurable. His ability to create evocative and atmospheric scores has made him one of the most celebrated and influential composers in the industry.
Danny Elfman’s 5 most popular quotes
- For me, writing something in the spirit of Halloween is like Mother Teresa writing on charity and sacrifice. It’s just second nature to me.
- You hear the beginning of a melody, you should kind of know it’s going to lead down this path. It should start feeling like a friend, like familiar.
- I’m trying to interpret the film through the director’s head, but it all comes out through me. So, a composer is kind of like a psychic medium.
- You have to write a good score that you feel good about. At least, you’re supposed to. But, if the director hates it, it ain’t going to be in the movie!
- The idea of performing some of Jack Skellington’s songs from The Nightmare Before Christmas live for the very first time is immensely exciting.
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