X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Fred Karlin Biography

Birth Name:Frederick James Karlin

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Amherst College
  • Started off composing music for documentaries and TV commercials
  • Often was involved with films that attempt to showcase the troubles of young people
  • Once worked as a music arranger for the Radio City Music Hall orchestra
  • Before his death, he worked on a book to catalogue in detail the thousands of recordings that the Edison Company distributed from 1914 to 1929
  • In 1962, he created an album composed entirely of extracts from the comic strip "Peanuts," and children's musical instruments and toys
  • Studied jazz composition alongside famed musician William Russo in college

Awards

  • 1970Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 1971Oscar-Best Music, Original Song Score: nominated
  • 1971Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: winner
  • 1971Grammy-Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special: nominated
  • 1973Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 1974Primetime Emmy-Best Music Composition - For a Special Program: winner
  • 1974Primetime Emmy-Best Song or Theme: nominated
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Special (Dramatic Underscore): nominated
  • 1977Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Special Musical Material: nominated
  • 1978Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore): nominated
  • 1980Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore): nominated
  • 1981Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Limited Series or a Special (Dramatic Underscore): nominated
  • 1981Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music and Lyrics: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music and Lyrics: nominated
  • 1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special (Dramatic Underscore): nominated
  • 1992Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Miniseries or a Special (Dramatic Underscore): nominated