The Simpsons composer, Alf Clausen dies at 84

Emmy-winning veteran composer, Alf Clausen, best known for his work on The Simpsons from 1990-2017 and Moonlighting, passed away at 84 on May 29. His daughter, Kaarin Clausen, while announcing his death on social media noted revealed that Clausen died from Parkinson's disease, after he was diagnosed in 2020.

In her social media tribute, Kaarin said,

"He left a huge mark on this world and has touched the lives of millions, and I'm so proud to call him 'Dad.' Rest easy, Maestro, I will miss you every day."

Kaarin, while speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in an article published on May 30, revealed that her dad died at his Valley Village home in Los Angeles, and was also diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy about eight years ago.

Clausen composed The Simpsons from 1990-2017, before filing a lawsuit against Disney and Fox in August 2019 after he was dismissed.

More about Alf Clausen's career

Alf Clausen won two Emmys and 21 nominations for his work on The Simpsons. The first was for We Put the Spring in the Springfield, from the 1997 episode Bart After Dark, and the second was You're Checkin' In from the 1998 episode The City of New York vs. Homer Simpson. He is also known to be the most-nominated composer in Emmy history, for winning a total of 30 nominations. Alf also won five Annie Awards for The Simpsons' music. While speaking to Variety, creator Matt Groening called Alf the "man of a Thousand Music Cues."

Alf was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Jamestown, North Dakota. After finishing college, Alf went on to work as a musician. He also went on to earn a Master's degree at Berklee and taught at the University for a year.

Clausen moved to Los Angeles in 1967 and worked with singers in ghostwriting and commercial jingles for nine years.

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Before working on The Simpsons, Alf Clausen worked as a score writer, music director, and conductor for Donny & Marie from 1976 to 1979. He also took on the same role for The Mary Tyler Moore Hour in 1979 and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music Direction for Omnibus in 1981. He served as the composer for Moonlighting from 1985-1989.

There was a period when Alf Clausen was unemployed for seven months, when his friend suggested him to a producer from The Simpsons, which led to his most well-known work. His work on He Simpsons was further released as part of three albums, which were produced by him.

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