Legacy of Lalo Schifrin: The Iconic Composer of "Mission: Impossible" Passes Away

With a career spanning over six decades, Lalo Schifrin, the composer of the iconic "Mission: Impossible" theme, has died at 93, leaving behind a remarkable legacy celebrated by fans and peers alike.

Argentine composer Lalo Schifrin, widely known for his innovative compositions, has passed away at the age of 93, as confirmed by his family. His son, Ryan Schifrin, shared that Lalo died from complications related to pneumonia on Thursday, in a statement provided to CBS, a partner of BBC.

Schifrin was celebrated for his distinctively jazzy and percussive style, contributing his musical genius to more than 100 film and television soundtracks over a successful career that spanned over sixty years. Notably, he received six Oscar nominations and was a four-time Grammy Award winner, with three Grammys attributed to his celebrated "Mission: Impossible" theme from the 1966 television series, which he revamped for the popular Tom Cruise film adaptations.

His family noted that he "passed peacefully" with loved ones by his side and expressed gratitude for the public's warm messages of support. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored Schifrin, praising his "genius" compositions that added tension and excitement to visual storytelling. In a heartfelt tribute on social media, they highlighted his ability to transform every note into a thrill and silence into suspense.

Schifrin’s prolific career also featured iconic scores for films such as "Cool Hand Luke," "Dirty Harry," and "The Sting II." His contributions to cinema were recognized with an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2018, awarded by Clint Eastwood, who acclaimed his "unique musical style" and significant influence on film scoring. Reflecting on his achievement, Schifrin commented that his work in film provided him "a lifetime of joy and creativity,” culminating in a moment he called "a Mission: Accomplished."

Born in Buenos Aires into a musically-inclined family, Schifrin studied classical piano as a youth before relocating to Paris in his early twenties to delve into jazz. Throughout his career, he collaborated with legendary musicians like Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald. Upon arriving in the United States, he began blending jazz, classical, and contemporary genres into his compositions. The "Mission: Impossible" theme, characterized by its unconventional 5/4 time signature, aimed to incorporate "a little humour" and a light-hearted spirit that came to represent one of cinema’s most enduring franchises, exemplified by the latest film, "Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning," which has grossed over $540 million globally.