Danny Elfman
Birth Name:
Daniel Robert Elfman
Birth Place:
Los Angeles, California, United States
Profession
Composer, Music department, Actor, Producer
Fast Facts
- Received the Film Composer of the Year award at the 2008 International Film Music Critics Association
- Received an honorary doctorate in 2007 from the North Carolina School of the Arts
- Decided to drop out of high school to follow his brother to France in order to join the Le Grand Magic Circus
- Is heavily influenced by the compositions of Bernard Herrman
- Quote: "I get drawn to things that don't make any sense, and I learned early on not to resist that․"
- Frequently collaborates with Tim Burton on film projects
- Often combines digital sounds with orchestra music
- As a street performer in Paris, he learned how to breath fire
- Was a former member of the theatre band Oingo Boingo
- Provided all of the vocals for the soundtrack to "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by singing in different pitches
Awards
- 1987BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1989BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1989BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1989Filmtracks Award - Top Film Scores:Nominated
- 1989Movie Music UK Award - Best Original Score for a Action/Adventure/Thriller Film:Winner
- 1989Movie Music UK Award - Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 1989Movie Music UK Award - Score of the Year:Winner
- 1990Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 1990BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1990Filmtracks Award - Top Film Scores:Nominated
- 1990Grammy - Best Album of Original Instrumental Background Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television:Nominated
- 1990Movie Music UK Award - Best Score for a Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror Film:Winner
- 1990Movie Music UK Award - Best Score for a Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror Film:Nominated
- 1990Movie Music UK Award - Best Original Score for a Action/Adventure/Thriller Film:Nominated
- 1990Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Main Title Theme Music:Nominated
- 1991BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1991Grammy - Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television:Nominated
- 1992Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 1992ACCA - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 1992Grammy - Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television:Nominated
- 1993ACCA - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 1993BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1993Chainsaw Award - Best Soundtrack:Winner
- 1994Saturn Award - Best Music:Winner
- 1994Golden Globe - Best Original Score - Motion Picture:Nominated
- 1996Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 1996BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1997Saturn Award - Best Music:Winner
- 1997Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 1997ACCA - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 1997ACCA - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 1997BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1997Chainsaw Award - Best Score:Winner
- 1997Golden Satellite Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 1998Oscar - Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score:Nominated
- 1998Oscar - Best Music, Original Dramatic Score:Nominated
- 1998Saturn Award - Best Music:Winner
- 1998BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1998BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1998BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 1998BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 1998Grammy - Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television:Nominated
- 1998Sierra Award - Best Score:Winner
- 1998OFTA Film Award - Best Music, Original Comedy/Musical Score:Nominated
- 1999CFCA Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 1999FMCJ Award - Film Score of the Year:Nominated
- 1999OFTA Film Award - Best Music, Original Dramatic Score:Nominated
- 2000Saturn Award - Best Music:Winner
- 2000BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2000Chainsaw Award - Best Score:Winner
- 2000Sierra Award - Best Score:Nominated
- 2000OFTA Film Award - Best Music, Original Score:Nominated
- 2000Golden Satellite Award - Best Original Score:Winner
- 2001BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2001GoldSpirit Awards - Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Soundtrack:Nominated
- 2001Golden Satellite Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2002BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2002Grammy - Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:Nominated
- 2002World Soundtrack Award - Best Original Soundtrack of the Year:Nominated
- 2003Saturn Award - Best Music:Winner
- 2003ACCA - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2003Anthony Asquith Award for Film MusicNominated
- 2003BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 2003BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2003BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2003BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2003Grammy - Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:Nominated
- 2003SFX Award - Best SF or Fantasy Film Music:Nominated
- 2004Oscar - Best Music, Original Score:Nominated
- 2004Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 2004BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2004CFCA Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2004Critics Choice Award - Best Composer:Nominated
- 2004Gold Derby Film Award - Original Score:Nominated
- 2004Golden Globe - Best Original Score - Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2004IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for Television:Winner
- 2004IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Action/Adventure Film:Nominated
- 2004INOCA - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2004IOMA - Best Original Score (Miglior colonna sonora originale):Nominated
- 2004OFTA Film Award - Best Music, Original Score:Nominated
- 2004OFTA Television Award - Best New Theme Song in a Series, Motion Picture or Miniseries:Winner
- 2004PFCS Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2005Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 2005ACCA - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2005BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2005BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 2005GoldSpirit Awards - Best Horror Theme:Winner
- 2005Grammy - Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:Nominated
- 2005IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Comedy Film:Nominated
- 2005IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction Film:Nominated
- 2005PFCS Award - Best Original Score:Winner
- 2005Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Main Title Theme Music:Winner
- 2005Golden Satellite Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2005Satellite Award - Outstanding Original Score:Nominated
- 2006Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 2006BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2006CFCA Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2006Grammy - Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:Nominated
- 2006IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Animated Film:Nominated
- 2006OFTA Film Award - Best Music, Original Score:Nominated
- 2006World Soundtrack Award - Soundtrack Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 2007BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2007IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Animated Film:Nominated
- 2008Annie - Best Music in an Animated Feature Production:Nominated
- 2008BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 2008CFCA Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2008IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Action/Adventure Film:Nominated
- 2008IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Drama Film:Nominated
- 2008IFMCA Award - Film Score of the Year:Nominated
- 2008IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Documentary Film:Winner
- 2008IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction Film:Nominated
- 2008IFMCA Award - Film Music Composition of the Year:Nominated
- 2008Movie Music UK Award - Best Original Score for a Action/Adventure/Thriller Film:Nominated
- 2008Movie Music UK Award - Score of the Year:Nominated
- 2008Movie Music UK Award - Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 2008Movie Music UK Award - Best Original Score for a Documentary Film:Winner
- 2008Movie Music UK Award - Best Original Song:Nominated
- 2008Movie Music UK Award - Best Score for a Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror Film:Winner
- 2008Satellite Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2009Oscar - Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score:Nominated
- 2009BMI Film Music AwardWinner
- 2009BMI TV Music AwardWinner
- 2009Cinema Eye Honors Award - Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Score:Nominated
- 2009Critics Choice Award - Best Composer:Nominated
- 2009Gold Derby Film Award - Original Score:Nominated
- 2009ICS Award - Best Original Score:Winner
- 2009OFTA Film Award - Best Music, Original Score:Nominated
- 2009OFCS Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2009World Soundtrack Award - Soundtrack Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 2010BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2010BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2010BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2010Grammy - Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:Nominated
- 2010Sierra Award - Best Score:Nominated
- 2010Movie Music UK Award - Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 2010Movie Music UK Award - Best Score for a Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror Film:Nominated
- 2010SDFCS Award - Best Score:Nominated
- 2010World Soundtrack Award - Soundtrack Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 2011Felix - Best Original Score:Winner
- 2011Anthony Asquith Award for Film MusicNominated
- 2011Golden Globe - Best Original Score - Motion Picture:Nominated
- 2011Grammy - Best Score Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:Nominated
- 2011IFMCA Award - Best Archival Release of an Existing Score:Nominated
- 2011IFMCA Award - Film Music Composition of the Year:Winner
- 2011IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction/Horror Film:Nominated
- 2012BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2012IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Action/Adventure/Thriller Film:Nominated
- 2012IFMCA Award - Film Music Composition of the Year:Nominated
- 2012Movie Music UK Award - Composer of the Year:Winner
- 2012Movie Music UK Award - Best Score for a Drama Film:Nominated
- 2012PFCS Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2013Saturn Award - Best Music:Winner
- 2013BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2013BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2013BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2013BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2013HFCS Award - Best Original Score:Nominated
- 2013ICP Award - Best Original Score or Soundtrack:Nominated
- 2013IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Comedy Film:Nominated
- 2013IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Animated Film:Nominated
- 2013World Soundtrack Award - Film Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 2014Felix - Best Original Song:Nominated
- 2014Felix - Best Original Song:Nominated
- 2014Felix - Best Original Song:Nominated
- 2014Felix - Best Original Score:Winner
- 2014Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 2014Annie - Outstanding Achievement in Music in an Animated Feature Production:Nominated
- 2014BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2014BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2014BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2014HMMA Award - Best Original Score - Animated Film:Nominated
- 2014IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Animated Film:Nominated
- 2014Movie Music UK Award - Best Documentary Score:Nominated
- 2015Annie - Outstanding Achievement in Music in an Animated Feature Production:Nominated
- 2015BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2015HMMA Award - Best Original Score - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film:Nominated
- 2015IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Documentary Film:Winner
- 2016BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2016BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2016Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Music Direction:Winner
- 2017Felix - Best Score Comedy or Musical:Winner
- 2017BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2017BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2017BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2018Felix - Best Score Drama:Nominated
- 2018Felix - Best Score Comedy or Musical:Winner
- 2018BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2018BMI Film Music Award - Film Music:Winner
- 2019Saturn Award - Best Music:Nominated
- 2019Annie - Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production:Nominated
- 2019BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Award - BMI Film Music Award:Winner
- 2019BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Award - BMI Film Music Award:Winner
- 2020BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Award - BMI Film Music Award:Winner
- 2020BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Award - BMI Film Music Award:Winner
- 2020IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for an Action/Adventure/Thriller Film:Nominated
- 2021OFTA TV Hall of Fame - Theme Songs:Winner
- 2022Saturn Award - Best Music:Winner
- 2022HMMA Award - Best Main Title - TV Show/Limited Series:Nominated
- 2022HMMA Award - Best Original Score - Sci-Fi Film:Winner
- 2022HMMA Award - Best Original Score - Feature Film:Nominated
- 2022IFJA Award - Best Musical Score:Nominated
- 2022Movie Music UK Award - Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Sci-Fi Film:Nominated
- 2023BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Award - Theatrical Film Award:Winner
- 2023IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Fantasy/Science Fiction Film:Nominated
- 2023Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music:Winner
- 2023Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score):Nominated
- 2023SCL Award - Outstanding Original Song for a Comedy or Musical Visual Media Production:Nominated
- 2023World Soundtrack Award - Television Composer of the Year:Nominated
- 2024Movie Music UK Award - Best Original Score for a Comedy Film:Nominated
- 2025Saturn Award - Best Film Music:Winner
- 2025BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Award - Theatrical Film Award:Winner
- 2025IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Comedy Film:Nominated
- 2025Lizzie - Best Score:Winner
- 2026IFMCA Award - Best Original Score for a Horror/Thriller Film:Nominated
- 2026Golden Bee Award - Best Original Score:Winner