Mark Snow, the mastermind behind the iconic scores of some of history’s favorite television series, has died. He was 78.
A cause of death was not immediately confirmed for the late composer, who died at his home in Connecticut earlier today, July 4, according to Variety.
Throughout his storied career, Snow garnered 15 Emmy nominations—including six for The X-Files, for which he scored over 200 episodes, plus its two follow-up films. His themes and scores can also be heard in other classic series like Starsky & Hutch, The Love Boat, Cagney & Lacey, Falcon Crest, Smallville, Ghost Whisperer (which earned him two more Emmy nods), and Blue Bloods, among countless others. Just a couple of his film credits include John Travolta’sThe Boy in the Plastic Bubble and Michael Caine’s20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Snow, born Martin Fulterman, got his start writing for complete orchestras in the 1970s, and was one of the first composers to transition to all-electronic sounds that became popular in the late ’80s, using “synthesizers, samplers and other music-making machines” in his own home studio, where he would eventually produce all of the X-Files television music (the films would make a nostalgic return to more traditional orchestrations).
He adopted his pseudonym during his first gig on ABC’s The Rookies as he attempted to avoid threats from a former employer, having worked as a record producer before transitioning to composing.
His colleague, Sean Callery, called upon his “limitless talent and boundless creativity” in a statement to the publication, going on to praise his generous mentorship, too. “He combined his decades of experience with the encouragement that composers cultivate: to trust in themselves, embrace their own unique voice, and learn to rely on their own instincts.”
Fellow composer Bear McCreary lamented online, “Another loss. Mark Snow’s legacy will forever be connected to his iconic work on ‘The X-Files,’ but he also crafted memorable music for many other series. I chatted with him at length several times about our approaches to work and life. He was always charming and friendly.”
Fans were devastated to hear of Snow’s passing, as well, with one writing on X, “A master is gone. I am heartbroken.”
“Oh man. Mark Snow’s scores for every single X-Files episode [were] always perfect,” another said. “He was brilliant.”
“I’ve always been fascinated by how music is utilized in shows/movies, but #TheXFiles was the first time I ever bought a score-only soundtrack,” another fan recalled. “Mark Snow was brilliant and an absolute legend. What a loss.”
Snow is survived by his wife, Glynnis, three daughters, and his grandchildren.
Related: ‘Reservoir Dogs’ Star and Quentin Tarantino Favorite Found Dead at 67
