Veteran television composer Mark Snow, best known for his work on the iconic X-Files theme that hit the top of the charts in the UK, as well as penning the music for series such as Smallville, Ghost Whisperer, Blue Bloods and dozens of others, died Friday at his home in Connecticut. He was 78.
Emmy-winning musician, composer and friend Sean Callery (24) posted the news and a tribute on Facebook.
Mark Snow, and one of the most wonderful and talented people I’ve ever known, has passed away. 33 years ago he began mentoring me as an artist. Who knew that I was also at the beginning of a deep friendship that would only grow and evolve over 3 decades along with our graying hair and tighter deadlines. His humor, his spirit, his talent – good God his immense talent – the world has lost a genuine and beautiful soul. Whenever I was working on a theme I would send it to him for feedback – and he would diagnose it instantly— with a knowing swipe of his hand indicating that I discard all the superfluous drivel I was putting out there —because he knew how to get to the heart and truth of things. That wisdom continues to inform me both inside and outside the music studio. I am so grateful to him for his sage counsel and his laugh-out-loud biting wit. My career got started by an act of generosity on his part 33 years ago – period, full stop. I love you my friend. There will never ever be another like you. I send love to Glynnis and all his children and grandchildren during this time.
In addition to X-Files, Snow wrote the music for Millennium, another Chris Carter-created project. He did worked on both shows over 12 seasons total. You can listen to his X-Files theme below.
Over the course of his long career, Snow also composed music and/or scores for dozens of hit shows, including Hart to Hart, The Love Boat, Vega$, Starsky & Hutch, Cagney & Lacey, T.J Hooker, Matt Houston and Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
His very first credit came in 1976 for the buzzy TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble, starring John Travolta and directed by Randall Kleiser.
On the big screen, he worked on the X-Files movie in 1998, Ernest Saves Christmas, Crazy in Alabama and The New Mutants.
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