Lalo Schifrin, Composer of Iconic 'Mission: Impossible' Theme, Passes Away at 93

Lalo Schifrin, known for his innovative contributions to film music, has died at the age of 93, remembered for reinventing cinematic scoring.

Grammy Award-winning composer Lalo Schifrin, famed for crafting the iconic theme of the "Mission: Impossible" series, has passed away at the age of 93, as confirmed by his family. His son, Ryan Schifrin, revealed that the prolific Argentine musician succumbed to complications from pneumonia on Thursday, according to a statement shared with CBS.

Renowned for his distinctive blend of jazz and percussive styles, Schifrin's career spanned over six decades, during which he created more than 100 soundtracks for films and television. His remarkable talent earned him six Academy Award nominations and four Grammy wins, three of which were for his legendary "Mission: Impossible" theme first composed for the television series in 1966 and later adapted for the successful film franchise starring Tom Cruise.

Schifrin's family shared that he "passed peacefully" surrounded by his loved ones and expressed gratitude for the heartfelt messages of support from the public. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Schifrin's genius, highlighting how his compositions heightened tension and excitement in storytelling.

"Every beat was a thrill, and every silence was suspense," the Academy noted in a tribute on social media. A versatile artist, Schifrin not only composed but also served as a pianist and conductor, with his works for films such as "Cool Hand Luke," "Dirty Harry," and "The Amityville Horror" being particularly noteworthy.

In 2018, he received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar presented by Clint Eastwood, who celebrated Schifrin's unique musical style and significant influence in film scoring. Upon receiving the honor, Schifrin expressed his joy in composing for films, deeming it "a culmination of a dream" and playfully stating, "It is a Mission: Accomplished."

Born in Buenos Aires into a musical family, Schifrin began his classical piano studies as a child. He later moved to Paris in his early twenties, where he immersed himself in jazz, sharing the stage with jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald. After relocating to the United States, he blended various music genres—jazz, classical, pop, and contemporary to create a sophisticated yet accessible sound.

His "Mission: Impossible" theme, notable for its unusual 5/4 time signature, aimed to instill "a little humour, lightness," leading to the creation of a theme that was both exhilarating and memorable. Today, this piece serves as an earworm for one of the most successful film franchises in cinema history, with "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning" recently grossing over $540 million globally.