R.I.P.: Composer Ennio Morricone has passed away at age 91

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Cinema has lost one of its most legendary composers, as Ennio Morricone passed away this morning at the age of 91. According to Morricone's lawyer, who confirmed his passing to CNN, he died in a hospital in Rome "after falling and breaking his leg".

Over the course of a career that spanned sixty years, Morricone earned more than five hundred composing credits, his most famous work being his collaborations with director Sergio Leone, particularly the music he composed for westerns like A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS; FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE; THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY; and ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST. Oscar nominations came for his work DAYS OF HEAVEN, THE MISSION, THE UNTOUCHABLES, BUGSY, and MALENA, but when he didn't receive an Academy Award for any of those he was given an honorary award in 2007.

Morricone finally won an Oscar in 2016, for his work on Quentin Tarantino's THE HATEFUL EIGHT.

The composer's horror and thriller work includes the scores for John Carpenter's THE THING, THE ANTICHRIST (1974), Umberto Lenzi's SPASMO, Lucio Fulci's A LIZARD IN A WOMAN'S SKIN, Mike Nichols' WOLF, Roman Polanski's FRANTIC, Samuel Fuller's WHITE DOG, HITCH-HIKE, ORCA, EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC, DEVIL IN THE BRAIN, THE FIFTH CORD, BLACK BELLY OF THE TARANTULA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE?, and the Dario Argento films THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE, THE CAT O' NINE TAILS, FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET, THE STENDAHL SYNDROME, and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said, 

We will always remember, with infinite gratitude, the artistic genius of the Maestro Ennio Morricone. It made us dream, move, reflect, writing memorable notes that will remain unforgettable in the history of music and cinema."

Italian President Sergio Mattarella called Morricone a distinguished artist and added, 

Both a refined and popular musician, he has left a deep mark in the history of music in the second part of the 20th century. Through his soundtracks, he has greatly contributed in spreading and reinforcing Italy's prestige around the world."

Our condolences go out to Morricone's family, friends, and fans.