
Elmer Bernstein – Full Biography
Early Life & Education
- Born: April 4, 1922, in New York City, USA
- Died: August 18, 2004, in Ojai, California, USA
- Background: Born to Jewish immigrant parents from Ukraine, he showed early musical talent.
- Education: Studied at the Juilliard School and New York University. Initially trained as a classical pianist and composer.
Career Overview
Elmer Bernstein was one of Hollywood’s most influential film composers, with a career spanning over five decades. He scored more than 150 films and numerous television shows, covering a wide range of genres.
MOVIE DETAILS :
Elmer Bernstein was a prolific American composer and conductor whose career spanned over five decades, during which he composed scores for more than 150 films and numerous television productions. His work encompassed a wide range of genres, from epic dramas to comedies, leaving an indelible mark on the world of film music.
Below is a chronological overview of some of his notable film scores:
1950s:
- Saturday’s Hero (1951)
- Sudden Fear (1952)
- Cat-Women of the Moon (1953)
- Robot Monster (1953)
- The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
- The Ten Commandments (1956)
- Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
- The Buccaneer (1958)
- Some Came Running (1958)
1960s:
- The Magnificent Seven (1960)
- The Comancheros (1961)
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
- Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
- The Great Escape (1963)
- Hud (1963)
- The Carpetbaggers (1964)
- The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
- Hawaii (1966)
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
- True Grit (1969)
1970s:
- Big Jake (1971)
- The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972)
- Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973)
- McQ (1974)
- The Shootist (1976)
- National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)
- Zulu Dawn (1979)
- Meatballs (1979)
1980s:
- Airplane! (1980)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- Stripes (1981)
- Trading Places (1983)
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Spies Like Us (1985)
- ¡Three Amigos! (1986)
- My Left Foot (1989)
1990s:
- The Grifters (1990)
- Cape Fear (1991)
- The Age of Innocence (1993)
- Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
- The Rainmaker (1997)
- Bringing Out the Dead (1999)
- Wild Wild West (1999)
2000s:
- Far from Heaven (2002)
This selection highlights only a portion of Bernstein’s extensive body of work. For a comprehensive list of his film and television credits, you may refer to his official filmography.
Elmer Bernstein – Awards & Honors
Elmer Bernstein received numerous prestigious awards and nominations throughout his career, recognizing his immense contributions to film music. Below is a summary of his major awards:
Academy Awards (Oscars)
- Winner:
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) – Best Original Score
- Nominations (14 times total):
- The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
- The Ten Commandments (1956)
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
- The Great Escape (1963)
- Hawaii (1966)
- True Grit (1969)
- Trading Places (1983)
- The Age of Innocence (1993)
- Far from Heaven (2002), among others
- Honorary Oscar (1996): Recognized for his lifetime achievement and contributions to film music.
Golden Globe Awards
- Winner:
- Hawaii (1966) – Best Original Score
- Nominations:
- The Ten Commandments (1956)
- Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
- Gold (1974)
- The Great Santini (1979)
Grammy Awards
- Winner:
- Hawaii (1966) – Best Original Score
- Nominations:
- The Magnificent Seven (1960)
- To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
- The Great Escape (1963)
- Ghostbusters (1984)
BAFTA Awards (British Academy Film Awards)
- Winner:
- The Amazing Mr. Blunden (1972) – Best Music
- Nominations:
- The Grifters (1990)
- The Age of Innocence (1993)
Primetime Emmy Awards
- Winner:
- Hollywood and the Stars (1963) – Best Music Composition
- Nominations:
- The Making of ‘The Ten Commandments’ (1989)
Other Honors & Recognition
- ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award (1999)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (1996)
- American Film Institute (AFI) Recognition – The Magnificent Seven theme included in AFI’s list of greatest film scores.
- BMI Film & TV Awards – Multiple lifetime achievement honors.
Personal Life & Legacy
- Bernstein was passionate about music education and often mentored young composers.
- He was also active in rescuing and preserving classic film scores.
- Passed away at the age of 82 due to cancer.
- His influence is still felt in modern film scoring, with composers like John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and James Newton Howard citing him as an inspiration.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
YOUTUBE : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSd9W-Z4OcE&pp=ygUaRWxtZXIgQmVybnN0ZWluIExJRkUgU1RPUlk%3D