Thomas Newman

Thomas Newman, one of Hollywood’s most original and prolific film and television composers, is celebrated for a sound world that blends orchestral lyricism with shimmering textures, unusual instrumentation, and minimalist patterns. Son of legendary composer Alfred Newman and cousin to Randy Newman, he carved out his own distinctive voice with early scores like Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) and The Lost Boys (1987), before breaking through with The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and Little Women (1994). His collaborations with directors such as Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Skyfall, 1917) and Frank Darabont (Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) produced some of his most celebrated work.

Newman’s music for Meet Joe Black (1998), Finding Nemo (2003), WALL·E (2008), and Saving Mr. Banks (2013) demonstrated his versatility, shifting seamlessly from romantic drama to Pixar animation while maintaining his instantly recognizable sound. On television, his Emmy-winning scores for HBO’s Angels in America (2003) and Six Feet Under(2001–2005) showcased the same lyrical melancholy and textural inventiveness that mark his film work.

Often compared with contemporaries like Alexandre Desplat and James Newton Howard, Newman stands apart for his ethereal atmospheres—blending strings, piano, marimba, and electronic colors—that give his scores for films like The Good German, Bridge of Spies, and Passengers a uniquely emotional resonance. With multiple Oscar nominations, Grammy wins, and enduring influence, Thomas Newman remains one of the defining voices in modern film and TV music.

Featured on Soundtracks

• American Beauty
• American Beauty (Score)
• Fried Green Tomatoes
• Jarhead
• Lemony Snickett's Series of Unfortunate Events
• Meet Joe Black
• Skyfall
• The Lost Boys
• The Shawshank Redemption
• Phenomenon