Profile of Elmer Bernstein on Famous Like Me

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. 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 instantly-recognizable 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.

Partial filmography

• Far From Heaven (2002)
• Wild Wild West (1999)
• The Deep End of the Ocean (1999)
• The Rainmaker (1997)
• Frankie Starlight (1995)
• Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
• Canadian Bacon (1995)
• The Age of Innocence (1993)
• Lost in Yonkers (1993)
• Mad Dog and Glory (1993)
• Rambling Rose (1991)
• A Rage in Harlem (1991)
• Oscar (1991)
• The Grifters (1990)
• My Left Foot (1989)
• Good Mother (1988)
• Da (1988)
• ¡Three Amigos! (1986)
• The Color of Money (1986)
• Legal Eagles (1986)
• National Geographic Explorer (1985) TV Series (theme)
• Spies Like Us (1985)
• Ghostbusters (1984)
• Thriller (1983) (Music video)
• Class (1983)
• Trading Places (1983)
• Airplane II: The Sequel (1982)
• The Chosen (1981)
• An American Werewolf in London (1981)
• Stripes (1981)
• Airplane! (1980)
• The Blues Brothers (1980)
• The Great Santini (1979)
• Meatballs (movie) (1979)
• Animal House (1978)
• Powers of Ten (1977)
• Once an Eagle (1976) TV Miniseries (theme)
• The Shootist (1976)
• Ellery Queen (1975) TV Series
• Cahill U.S. Marshal (1973)
• Rookies (1972) (TV)
• The Bridge at Remagen (1969)
• Guns of the Magnificent Seven (1969)
• True Grit (1969)
• Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
• Return of the Seven (1966)
• Hawaii (1966)
• The Big Valley (1965) TV Series
• The Sons of Katie Elder (1965)
• Baby the Rain Must Fall (1965)
• National Geographic Specials (1964) TV Series
• The Carpetbaggers (1964)
• The World of Henry Orient (1964)
• The Great Escape (1963)
• Hud (1963)
• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
• Birdman of Alcatraz (1962)
• The Comancheros (1961)
• The Magnificent Seven (1960)
• The Rat Race (1960)
• God's Little Acre (1958)
• The Tin Star (1957)
• Sweet Smell of Success (1957)
• The Ten Commandments (1956)
• The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
• Gunsmoke (1955) TV Series
• Cat-Women of the Moon (1953)
• Robot Monster (1953)

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