"Mark Snow, renowned composer of the 'X-Files' television series, passes away at 78 years old."
Mark Snow, the renowned composer behind the hauntingly beautiful theme song for *The X-Files*, passed away on Friday. Known for his groundbreaking work in television, film, and video games, Snow's legacy will endure as one of the most influential composers in the industry.
Born as Martin Fulterman on August 26, 1946, Snow began his career in the 1970s, working on shows like *The Rookies* and *The Boy in the Plastic Bubble*. His career took a significant turn when he was brought on to compose for *The X-Files* after three auditions, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful collaboration with the series.
Snow's work on *The X-Files* spanned over 200 episodes plus two feature films, and his theme song, inspired by The Smiths' "How Soon is Now?", was a chart success in the UK and France. His genre-specific credits also include DC shows *Birds of Prey* and *Smallville*. His final project was the 2020 X-Men film *New Mutants*.
Throughout his career, Snow composed music for a variety of TV shows, films, and video games, earning 15 Emmy nominations for his work. Notable TV shows he composed for include *The X-Files*, *Smallville*, and *Helter Skelter*. His work showcased a blend of avant-garde and experimental music influences, inspired by composers like Jerry Goldsmith. Snow’s creativity was especially noted for its atmospheric and thrilling qualities, contributing significantly to the tone of the shows he scored.
Snow's colleagues and peers remember him fondly. Sean Callery, composer of Fox's 24, remembered Snow for his inspiring and intelligent feedback to young artists, including himself. Callery also mentioned that Snow had a sense of humor and self-deprecation that made his wisdom enduring. He praised Snow's decades of experience, matched by his generosity towards other composers. Bear McCreary described Snow's legacy as being forever connected to his iconic work on *The X-Files*.
Snow encouraged other composers to trust in themselves, embrace their unique voice, and rely on their instincts. His wife, Glynnis, survives him, along with their daughters and grandchildren.
Despite the absence of a fully comprehensive list of all TV shows, films, and video games Mark Snow composed for beyond these highlights, it is well-recognised that he was a prominent figure in television scoring with an extensive portfolio. His contributions to the world of music composition will continue to be felt for years to come.
[1] Source: IMDb - https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001600/ [2] Source: AllMusic - https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mark-snow-mn0000754848/biography
- Mark Snow, who also worked on TV shows like 'Smallville' and 'Helter Skelter', was a composing talent that extended beyond 'The X-Files', with a career that spanned the realms of television, film, and video games.
- Technology enthusiasts at Gizmodo and Io9, who are likely fans of movies-and-tv, would find Snow's career intriguing, as he composed music for a variety of genre-specific credits, including DC shows 'Birds of Prey' and 'Smallville', and contributed to the scores of shows like 'The X-Files' and 'Helter Skelter'.
- In the future, as technology continues to advance and entertainment becomes even more interconnected, the influential work of Mark Snow in television, film, and video game scoring will remain a notable example of pioneering creativity, shaping the direction of music composition for generations to come.
