Theodore Shapiro

Theodore Shapiro has become one of Hollywood’s most versatile composers for film and TV music, known for balancing sharp comedy scoring with heartfelt drama and even big-budget adventure. His early reputation came from comedies like Old School (Todd Phillips), Starsky & Hutch, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Along Came Polly, and The Devil Wears Prada, where his witty, jazzy orchestrations supported fast-paced humor and stylish storytelling. Shapiro went on to score major Ben Stiller projects including Tropic Thunder, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Zoolander 2. He has also delivered more dramatic and darker work in Trumbo, Destroyer with Nicole Kidman, and Paul Feig’s A Simple Favor.

In television, Shapiro is acclaimed for his Emmy-nominated music for Severance (Apple TV+), where his minimal, unsettling piano theme recalls the psychological tension of composers like Michael Nyman and Carter Burwell. He also worked on HBO’s Veep, and his scoring style often blends dry humor with intricate ensemble writing. Shapiro’s filmography places him in the company of contemporary American screen composers like Christophe Beck, Mark Mothersbaugh, and Rolfe Kent, but his range—from indie dramas to high-concept thrillers—also aligns him with Alexandre Desplat and Thomas Newman.

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