Alf Clausen, the acclaimed Emmy-winning composer known for his work on “The Simpsons,” passed away at 84 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His daughter, Kaarin, confirmed his death on Thursday at their Los Angeles home. Clausen’s illustrious career spanned beyond “The Simpsons,” including memorable television series like “Moonlighting” and “ALF.”
Clausen was nominated for 30 Emmy Awards, winning twice, primarily for “The Simpsons,” where he contributed nearly 600 scores between 1990 and 2017. His unique approach emphasized emotional depth over comedic cues, aligning with creator Matt Groening’s vision of scoring the show as a drama rather than a cartoon. Groening regarded Clausen as one of the show’s unsung heroes.
Born in Minneapolis and raised in Jamestown, North Dakota, Clausen graduated from Berklee College of Music in 1966, ultimately moving to Los Angeles. His early career included roles as musical director on various variety shows, and he worked as an orchestrator on films in the 1980s. He succeeded Lee Holdridge as the composer for “Moonlighting,” earning six Emmy nominations for that work.
Despite his success, Clausen faced a challenging end to his time with “The Simpsons” when he was let go in 2017 due to budget cuts, a decision that angered both fans and colleagues. He subsequently filed a lawsuit over his dismissal.
Clausen leaves behind his wife Sally, three children, two stepchildren, and 11 grandchildren. His contributions to television music, particularly in animation, will be long remembered, underscoring the vital role of composition in enhancing storytelling.
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