Elmer Bernstein (April 4, 1922 – August 18, 2004) was an American composer best known for his work writing music for film and television.
Bernstein was born in New York City. A piano and composing prodigy, he was "discovered" at the age of 12 by Aaron Copland.
He wrote the theme songs or other music for more than 200 films and TV shows, including The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Ten Commandments (1956), The Man with the Golden Arm, To Kill a Mockingbird, and the fanfare used in the National Geographic television specials.
He received 14 Academy Award nominations, but his only win was for Thoroughly Modern Millie. He also had numerous Emmy Award nominations, one of which he won; and several Golden Globe and Tony Award nominations, winning several times.
Along with many in Hollywood, Bernstein faced censure during the McCarthy era of the 1950s. He was "gray-listed"—not banned, but kept off major projects—due to sympathy with left-wing causes, and had to work on low-budget science fiction films such as Robot Monster and Cat-Women of the Moon.
Bernstein died in his sleep, at his home in Ojai, California.
He was not related to composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein.
Partial filmography
