One of the most successful and influential music score composers in the movie business has died. Jerry Goldsmith dipped into the animation world several times, scoring such features as The Secret of NIMH, Mulan, Small Soldiers and Looney Tunes: Back In Action. Despite recovering from cancer, he continued to work through 2002-03 and still had projects ready to roll later this year and next. As well as his animated work, he’ll be remembered for his lasting connections to the Star Trek universe, for which he provided majestic themes for The Motion Picture, The Next Generation, The Final Frontier, Voyager, First Contact, Insurrection, Nemesis and this year’s Borg Invasion 4D.

Goldsmith’s extensive career also saw his music featured in such films and shows as Dr. Kildare, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, Von Ryan’s Express, One of Our Spies Is Missing, Planet Of The Apes, Patton, One Little Indian, Chinatown, Logan’s Run, The Omen series, Twilight Zone: The Movie, Supergirl, Rambo, Poltergeist, Legend, Total Recall, L.A. Confidential, Air Force One, The Mummy and Hollow Man. He worked up relationships with various directors, including Joe Dante, with whom he collaborated on both Gremlins movies, InnerSpace, Matinee and The ‘Burbs, as well as Small Soldiers and Back In Action. Jerry’s scores will be certainly be missed, but his music will live on infinitely through the amazing body of work he achieved.