Oscar-winning composer James Horner died in a tragic plane crash on Monday at the age of 61.
The man who composed classic films such as Aliens, Avatar and Apollo 13 touched millions of people around the world and especially those in Hollywood.
Celine Dion, who sang the massive global hit “My Heart Will Go On” co-written by Horner for the movie Titanic, released a statement expressing her grief. “Rene and I are deeply saddened by the tragic death of James Horner. He will always remain a great composer in our hearts. James played an important part in my career. We will miss him. We offer his family and friends our deepest sympathy.”
Fellow film composers have also been shocked by Horner’s passing. French composer Alexandre Desplat, who won an Oscar for scoring The Grand Budapest Hotel, said: “It is a tragedy for all composers to hear about James Horner’s accident. We have lost one of our most talented and respected colleagues. His music will remain always.”
Songwriter Diane Warren wrote: “So sorry to hear about James Horner’s tragic passing. He will be remembered in history as one of the greatest film composers of all time. It is sad for us that we couldn’t hear all the great music that was yet to come.”
Eight-time Oscar winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid) said: “I count James Horner among the very best film composers of our generation. His work is stirring, emotionally powerful and broadly evocative. Although we only met on a few occasions, I will always cherish the memory of him and his wonderful work.”
Marco Beltrami, composer on The Hurt Locker, World War Z and 3:10 to Yuma said: “James Horner was one of the great film composer legends. I can’t help feeling that his passing marks the end of an era.”
Marc Shaiman, Grammy, Emmy, Tony winning, and multi Oscar nominated composer of films such as Hairspray, When Harry Met Sally and City Slickers, said: “James Horner’s music is filled with melody and emotion, and his passing fills my heart with both.”
turned out, and no one knew at that point — it could have been a dog — I knew it would be a great score.””]
Richard Kraft, a film music agent and executive producer on a number of Horner’s scores, including Aliens, said: “For me Horner was one of the masterful film composers who could switch from genre to genre with amazing easy because his dramatic sensibilities were flawless. He always went bold with his ideas. His melodies were strong and pronounced. His approaches were always filled with confidence and executed flawlessly. For film and film music fans, his output defined a generation.”
Director Antoine Fuqua whose upcoming film Southpaw features one of Horner’s final scores called him “magical to work with” and “a true filmmaker.”
“I am very saddened to hear the news about James,” Fuqua said in a statement. “He was a legend, an artist and a great friend. I feel for his family and know how much he loved them. He was magical to work with, and I feel blessed that we had the opportunity to collaborate together. James was not only a composer. He was a true filmmaker. He cared about the music but also about the story as a whole. Working with him and discussing every detail of the film in great depth was such a wonderful experience for me. We have lost a special soul who touched so many people through his art. Rest in peace my friend, you left us with the gift of your incredible music.”
Marc Webb, who directed The Amazing Spider-Man, for which Horner composed the score, released the following statement: “James Horner was a wonderful composer and collaborator as well as a generous and adventurous spirit. He lived his life like he wrote his scores, with an uncynical depth of feeling. He will be missed.”
Many others in the entertainment industry took to social media to express their thoughts and condolences.
Brilliant Composer James Horner, friend & collaborator on 7 movies has tragically died in a plane crash. My heart aches for his loved ones.
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) June 23, 2015
My sincere condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of James Horner. #abeautifulmind
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) June 23, 2015
“If we hold on together, I know our dreams will never die. Dreams see us through to forever.” RIP James Horner. You’ll be sadly missed.
— James Wan (@creepypuppet) June 23, 2015
We lost a MASTER today. RIP James Horner. Your music will live forever… https://t.co/qi4n0hiX0d
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) June 23, 2015
I”m so sad to hear about James Horner..He scored the first movie I did..Star Trek 2…great composer..great person…huge loss
— Kirstie Alley (@kirstiealley) June 23, 2015
There is nothing that shaped my movie-going experience more than the musical genius of James Horner. He will live on through the ages.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) June 23, 2015
STAR TREK II and ALIENS are two of my all-time favorite scores. Rest in peace to the great James Horner.
— Todd Gilchrist (@mtgilchrist) June 23, 2015
James Horner helped define my love of cinema as a child. One of the greatest film composers of all time. So tragic if he is gone.
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) June 23, 2015
James Horner’s scores were rousing, but often w/ a strain of melancholy. Helped give even the biggest blockbusters intimacy & poetry.
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) June 23, 2015
My Favorite James Horner scores: Braveheart, Willow, Rocketeer, Apollo 13, Legends of the Fall, Aliens, Apocalypto, Krull, Titanic & Trek II
— Kyle Newman (@kyle_newman) June 23, 2015
Khan. 48 Hrs. Something Wicked. Cocoon. Aliens. American Tail. Willow. Field of Dreams. Glory… James Horner helped score my childhood #RIP
— Seth Grahame-Smith (@sethgs) June 23, 2015
The films James Horner scored were often sentimental, but his music was always emotional, and he understood the difference.
— Matt Zoller Seitz (@mattzollerseitz) June 23, 2015
RIP James Horner. pic.twitter.com/XHroJYd2kA
— Ryan Turek (@_RyanTurek) June 23, 2015
James Horner is a major loss. Composed many of my favorite scores. I know what I’ll be listening to on my way to set in the morning. RIP.
— Peter Atencio (@Atencio) June 23, 2015
DP/30 interview: James Horner http://t.co/E5AlZIkZbr #RIP
— Scott Myers (@GoIntoTheStory) June 23, 2015
So saddened by the loss of James Horner, an incredible inspiration and a brilliant composer. I just can’t believe it.
— Brian Tyler (@BrianTylerMusic) June 23, 2015
RIP James Horner. Thank U for the beautiful music. We will miss what beautiful music was yet to come
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) June 23, 2015
Incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of James Horner. I grew up loving his work. He leaves behind a spectacular musical legacy.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) June 23, 2015
Listening to the #Braveheart score on the radio right now in honor of #JamesHorner. Reminded of what a huge loss his passing is. RIP
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) June 23, 2015
Brilliant composer JAMES HORNER, friend and collaborator on many movies, has tragically died in a plane crash. My heart is with his family.
— Frank Marshall (@LeDoctor) June 23, 2015
RIP #JamesHorner , composer most famous for score of Titanic. Got to know this wonderful and warm human being when he scored Four Feathers,
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) June 23, 2015
I am lucky to be able to say I was in a movie that was scored by #JamesHorner. Flights of angels dear sweet beautiful mind…
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) June 23, 2015
R.I.P James Horner. U were one insanely gifted composer and writer. Braveheart, Avatar, Titanic-ur music was inspiring & will continue 2 be
— OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) June 23, 2015
A tragic loss to our industry. Grew up to his film scores. Prayers to his family & loved ones. RIP James Horner. https://t.co/Nozoo0dd46
— Ming-Na Wen (@MingNa) June 23, 2015
Very sad to hear of the death of James Horner. I’m a big fan of his scores.
— Chris Rankin (@chrisrankin) June 23, 2015
I still listen to ‘The land before time’ soundtrack on set when I need a good cry. Big part of my childhood. #RIPJamesHorner
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) June 23, 2015
He wrote me a song that has such special meaning to me. We’ll always remember you, James. RIP. #genius http://t.co/S4SJUuDUrW
— josh groban (@joshgroban) June 23, 2015
So sad about the brilliant composer Janes Horner who wrote the theme song of @CBSEveningNews during my tenure. A lovely, talented man. RIP
— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) June 23, 2015
I am so sad to hear about James Horner. He composed the most beautiful soundtrack of all time… http://t.co/Bg1OG28h9w
— Ellie Goulding (@elliegoulding) June 23, 2015
It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of a true icon, James Horner. You will be missed. Rest In Peace.
— Lakeshore Records (@LakeshoreRecs) June 23, 2015
Sad to see James Horner, wonderful composer of Apollo 13 and so many others, go. Condolences to his family. https://t.co/iBzSwZhuzV
— Gary Sinise (@GarySinise) June 23, 2015
So sad to hear the news that James Horner has passed away. I was lucky enough to work with him. He was awesome. R.I.Pxxxxx
— Charlotte Church (@charlottechurch) June 23, 2015
Devastated about James Horner.
— Jamie Bell (@1jamiebell) June 23, 2015
Last time I spoke to JH he was scoring for a kid at AFI. 2 Oscars and he agreed to score a student film! What generosity. #RIPJamesHorner
— Marc Webb (@MarcW) June 23, 2015
Hilary Lewis contributed to this report.
