Who is Jerry Goldsmith?
Jerry Goldsmith was one of the most innovative and influential film composers in Hollywood history. Renowned for his versatility and dramatic instincts, he scored over 200 films and television productions during a career that spanned nearly five decades. His work shaped the soundscape of cinema, from sci-fi epics to psychological thrillers.
Jerry Goldsmith Biography
Born Jerrald King Goldsmith on February 10, 1929, in Los Angeles, California, he began playing piano at age six and studied composition, theory, and counterpoint by his teens. Inspired by Miklós Rózsa’s score for Spellbound, Goldsmith pursued music seriously, studying at USC and later Los Angeles City College.
He started his career at CBS in the 1950s, scoring radio and TV shows like Playhouse 90 and The Twilight Zone. His film debut came with Black Patch (1957), and he rose to prominence with scores for Planet of the Apes, Patton, Chinatown, Alien, The Omen, and Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Jerry Goldsmith Net Worth
At the time of his death in 2004, Jerry Goldsmith’s estimated net worth was around $15–30 million, earned through decades of composing for blockbuster films and television series.
Jerry Goldsmith Family
Jerry was born to Tessa Goldsmith, a school teacher, and Morris Goldsmith, a structural engineer. He had multiple children from two marriages and was known to collaborate musically with his son Joel Goldsmith.
Jerry Goldsmith Age
Goldsmith passed away on July 21, 2004, at the age of 75.
Jerry Goldsmith Ethnicity
Goldsmith was of Jewish descent, with grandparents who immigrated from Austria-Hungary and Romania.
Jerry Goldsmith Nationality
Goldsmith was American. Born on February 10, 1929, in Los Angeles, California, he became one of the most influential and innovative composers in film and television history, with a career spanning nearly 50 years and over 200 productions
Jerry Goldsmith Wife
Goldsmith was married twice:
- Sharon Hennagin (1950–1970), with whom he had four children.
- Carol Heather Goldsmith (1972–2004), a musician, with whom he had one son.
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Jerry Goldsmith Songs
Goldsmith composed iconic scores for:
- The Omen (won an Oscar for “Ave Satani”)
- Star Trek: The Motion Picture
- Chinatown
- Planet of the Apes
- Basic Instinct
- Mulan
- The Mummy
- Total Recall
- Poltergeist
His discography includes over 1,300 compositions, many of which remain staples in film music playlists.
Jerry Goldsmith’s Children
Goldsmith had four children with his first wife, singer Sharon Hennagin Goldsmith. Among them:
Ellen Goldsmith, his eldest daughter, contributed vocals to The Wild Rovers album.
Joel Goldsmith, his son, followed in his father’s footsteps as a composer, notably scoring for Stargate SG-1 and other sci-fi projects
Jerry Goldsmith Height
He stood approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.
Jerry Goldsmith Siblings
He was the only child of Morris K. Goldsmith, a structural engineer, and Tessa F. Goldsmith, a school teacher.
Jerry Goldsmith’s Education
Goldsmith studied music at:
- University of Southern California (USC) under Miklós Rózsa
- Los Angeles City College, where he focused on practical music training and conducting.
Jerry Goldsmith Instagram
Goldsmith passed away in 2004, before the rise of social media. However, his legacy is preserved through fan pages and tribute accounts. The most comprehensive resource is .