‘Mission: Impossible’ theme composer Lalo Schifrin has died

Lalo Schifrin, composer of the classic Mission: Impossible theme, has died.

The Argentine-American composer’s death was announced in a statement shared with the BBC by his son Ryan. Lalo was aged 93, and his son reports that the Grammy-winning musician died of complications from pneumonia.

Schifrin enjoyed a seven-decade career composing for both film and television as well as his own jazz career. He had well over a hundred composing credits to his name – most notably the original Mission: Impossible theme for the 1966 TV series of the same name. The theme would be introduced to a larger audience through Tom Cruise‘s acclaimed film adaptations, each of which have included remixes of Lalo Schifrin’s iconic composition.

Among the other notable projects he’s composed for are The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Amityville Horror, Enter The Dragon, the Rush Hour franchise, The Beguiled, Starsky and Hutch, Glitter and more.

Over the course of his esteemed career, Schifrin earned 19 Grammy nominations spanning 40 years and won four. He was also nominated for six Oscars.

Schifrin was awarded with an Honorary Oscar in 2018 “in recognition of his unique musical style, compositional integrity and influential contributions to the art of film scoring.” He was just the third film composer to receive such an award, following Alex North (1985) and Ennio Morricone (2006).

“Receiving this Honorary Oscar is a culmination of a dream. It is a ‘mission accomplished,’” he said when Clint Eastwood presented him with the honour. Eastwood and Schifrin had worked together on numerous occasions, including the iconic 1971 film Dirty Harry and its four sequels.

Following the news of Lalo Schifrin’s death, Simon Pegg – who starred alongside Cruise in the Mission: Impossible films – wrote in an Instagram story: “RIP the composer who, among so many other legendary melodies, wrote on of the most recognisable theme tunes in history.”

A prolific talent whose gifts brought us some of our most beloved movie music—including those unmistakable opening notes signaling another impossible mission— Lalo Schifrin’s contributions will long live on. pic.twitter.com/mBubHG7BJI

— Mission: Impossible (@MissionFilm) June 27, 2025

The countdown begins. The fuse lights. The music hits and suddenly, you’re in it. That was the genius of Lalo Schifrin.

With six Academy Award nominations and iconic scores for MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, THE FOX, BULLITT, AND THE STING II, Schifrin didn’t just write music, he built… pic.twitter.com/uA0KfeVmaT

— The Academy (@TheAcademy) June 26, 2025

The post ‘Mission: Impossible’ theme composer Lalo Schifrin has died appeared first on NME.