Alf Clausen, “The Simpsons” Composer, Dies
According to cinemadrame News Agency, Alf Clausen, the Emmy-winning composer for “The Simpsons” from 1990 to 2017, has passed away at 84 after a battle with Parkinson’s disease. His daughter released a statement on social media, saying: “Rest in peace, maestro. I will miss you every day.”
Clausen composed music for approximately 600 episodes of the highly-rated Fox animated series, though the iconic theme song was created by Danny Elfman. He won two consecutive Emmys in 1997 and 1998 and was nominated for the award 30 times.
Clausen also composed for Bruce Willis’s 1980s series “Moonlighting” and held five Annie Awards. He received the Golden Score Award in 2011.
In 2015, he stated: “If you’re looking for an easy 9-to-5 job, composing is not for you. If you have the passion for composing, and when you feel it, it’s hard to compare it to anything else. You can’t enjoy it more fully clothed. Go for it.”
Clausen was dismissed from “The Simpsons” in its twenty-eighth season. The composer sued Disney and Fox, alleging age discrimination, and requested the case be closed after two and a half years of dispute.
The composer had collaborated with major bands led by Buddy Rich, Ray Charles, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton.
