Jerry Goldsmith (1929-2011) was a composer and conductor from Los Angeles who is best known for creating and performing the music for some of the United States' most renowned films and television series. Active as a composer for television since the 1950s, Goldsmith managed to work through the ranks of the CBS music department until he became one of the most sought after musical talents in the industry. Goldsmith's career as a composer for film took off in the 1960s when he composed the score for several films, including that for the blockbuster film The Planet of the Apes. Goldsmith continued his illustrious career in the film and television industry for the next several decades, and will be remembered as one of the industry's most beloved and prolific composers.
