Oscar-winning composer James Horner dies aged 61

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Posted By: Craig Kell June 23, 2015

James Horner, the composer of high-profile films like Braveheart, Titanic and Avatar, has died at the age of 61.

The two-time Oscar-winning musician was killed in a small plane crash near Santa Barbara last night with his death being confirmed by his assistant Sylvia Patryca.

“We have lost an amazing person with a huge heart and unbelievable talent. He died doing what he loved. Thank you for all your support.”

Born in 1953, Horner’s musical talent began at the age of 5 when he took piano lessons before studying at the Royal College of Music in London. After receiving a master’s degree in California, he went on to receive a P.H.D before making the move towards composing.After doing scores for several low-budget films in the late 70s/early 80s, his breakthrough gig came when he composed the music for the popular Star Trek sequel Wrath of Khan (1982) and would also work on its follow-up The Search for Spock (1984). Other noteworthy work during that period included 48 Hrs (1982), Krull (1983) and The Dresser (1983).

The mid 80s-onwards would produce further success for Horner as he collaborated with director Ron Howard for the first time when he composed the music for Cocoon (1985). He went on to work with Howard on six other films including Willow (1988), Apollo 13 (1995), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and the Oscar-winning drama A Beautiful Mind (2001).

Horner would show variety with the films he composed during the late 80s/early 90s ranging from blockbusters (Commando, Aliens, Patriot Games) and animations (An American Tail, The Land Before Time, The Pagemaster) to family films (*Batteries Not Included, Honey I Shrunk the Kids) and award-winning dramas (Field of Dreams, Glory, Legends of the Fall).

The mid-90s would be the prime of his career as he worked on the score for two Oscar-winning films in Mel Gibson’s historical drama Braveheart (1995) and the disaster epic Titanic (1997). The latter film saw Horner scoop two Oscars for his music which included the iconic song “My Heart Will Go On”, as sung by Celine Dion.

Other high-profile scores for the 90s included Casper (1995), Jumanji (1995), The Mask of Zorro (1998) and Bicentennial Man (1999).

The New Millennium proved somewhat underwhelming for Horner barring his work on A Beautiful Mind as he ended up scoring more independent films including Iris (2001), House of Sand and Fog (2003), The New World (2005) and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008).

However he did compose music for more high-budget blockbusters such as Troy (2004), Apocalypto (2006), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) and the highest-grossing film of all time, Avatar (2009).

Horner is survived by his wife and two daughters.

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