The Oscar winning composer of such beloved films as Lawrence of Arabia and Dr. Zhivago Maurice Jarre, has departed for musical Valhalla.
His family confirmed Jarre, 84, lost his battle with cancer at the family villa in California.
The French composer began his career in Hollywood with David Lean‘s epic Lawrence of Arabia which won him his first Academy Award. He followed with the WWII thriller The Train and then returned to collaborate with David Lean where he created his most enduring melody "Lara’s Theme" from Dr. Zhivago.
Among the many films he scored were Ghost (his "Unchained Melody" was based on a theme by fellow composer Alex North), Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, Passage to India, The Man who Would Be King and even created the faux Elvis Presley tunes for the Val Kilmer comedy Top Secret! He ultimately provided the music for more than 150 films!
Jarre also wrote symphonic music for theatre, ballet and TV including the inspirational Jesus of Nazareth miniseries.
