Lalo Schifrin, film composer and creator of the legendary ‘Mission: Impossible’ theme immortalized by the Tom Cruise saga, dies

The world of cinema says its final “goodbye” to Lalo Schifrin, one of the most prolific and relevant film and television composers. Although his name may not ring a bell, you have probably heard some of his pieces, since during his long career he left his mark on unforgettable works of film and television: he was the creator of the unmistakable theme of Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission: Impossible’, as well as the responsible for other soundtracks of films like ‘Dirty Harry’ by Clint Eastwood, ‘Bullitt’ by Steve McQueen or ‘Enter the Dragon’ by Bruce Lee.

Composer Lalo Schifrin dies at the age of 93: his career spanned seven decades

Boris Claudio “Lalo” Schifrin was a musician and composer born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1932. On June 26, 2025, he passed away at his home in Los Angeles, United States, at the age of 93. The news came out a day later, according to media outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter. Schifrin began his career as a jazz musician in the fifties, and in the sixties he made the leap as a film and television composer. This artist became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1969, and maintained his dual citizenship until his death.

His most famous composition was the iconic theme for ‘Mission: Impossible’, the famous spy series of the sixties, reinterpreted today as a successful action saga starring Tom Cruise that revisits the universe of the original series. In modern films, the main melody is the same, but has updated arrangements and different versions adapted to each installment, although they all pay homage to Schifrin’s original version.

Schifrin remained active in the world of film and television composition for six decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s. During this time, he provided music of all kinds for films and franchises as outstanding as ‘Bullitt’ (1968), starring Steve McQueen, four installments of ‘Dirty Harry’ with Clint Eastwood, and ‘Rush Hour’, featuring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker.

His work earned him six Oscar nominations and another four Emmy nominations, and he went on to win five Grammy Awards, two of which were thanks to the theme of ‘Mission: Impossible’. Thus, during his enviable career, he not only worked side by side with several of the greatest film icons of all time, but his work was recognized with several awards. To celebrate his legacy, in 2019, he received an honorary Oscar, in gratitude for his contributions to the world of cinema.

Although this icon has left us, his musical legacy remains more alive than ever.

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