Alf Clausen, the legendary composer behind nearly three decades of The Simpsons music, passed away on Thursday due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was 84. Clausen had been diagnosed with the illness in 2020.
His daughter, Kaarin Clausen, announced the news on social media, saying, “He left a huge mark on this world and has touched the lives of millions, and I’m so proud to call him ‘Dad.’ Rest easy, Maestro. I will miss you every day.”
A Musical Legacy Etched in Television History
Clausen composed music for nearly 600 episodes of Fox’s iconic animated series The Simpsons, starting in the show’s second season in 1990. While the famous theme was written by Danny Elfman, it was Clausen’s dynamic scoring that helped define the show’s tone and versatility. He conducted a 35-piece orchestra weekly, composing original music tailored to each episode’s themes and parody styles.
He earned two consecutive Emmy Awards in 1997 and 1998 for his work on the show and was nominated for 30 Emmys throughout his career. His accolades also include five Annie Awards and seven ASCAP Film & TV Music Awards, cementing his place as one of the most influential composers in television.
In 2011, ASCAP honored Clausen with the Golden Note Award, celebrating his exceptional contributions to music for film and TV.
A Career Beyond The Simpsons
Born on March 28, 1941, in Minneapolis and raised in North Dakota, Clausen moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music composition. He got his early break working on Maude, a spinoff of All in the Family, in 1975. He went on to orchestrate music for variety shows such as Donny & Marie and later served as music director for The Mary Tyler Moore Hour in 1979.
In the 1980s, Clausen transitioned into film work, contributing orchestrations to movies including Airplane II: The Sequel, Mr. Mom, Splash, The Last Starfighter, Weird Science, The Naked Gun, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. He also scored the cult comedy Half Baked starring Dave Chappelle.
His television work included composing for Moonlighting, Fame, Wizards and Warriors, Partners in Crime, The Critic, Bette, and the beloved 1980s sitcom ALF.
Departure and Legal Controversy
Clausen’s tenure on The Simpsons ended in 2017 after 27 years. The producers issued a statement at the time acknowledging his legacy:
“We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to The Simpsons, and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show… This is the part where we would make a joke, but neither Alf’s work nor the music of The Simpsons is treated as anything but seriously by us.”
Clausen didn’t share their sentiment. In 2019, he filed a lawsuit against Disney and Fox, alleging age and disability discrimination. He argued that the official explanation — “taking the music in a different direction” — was a pretext for his dismissal. The legal battle continued for more than two years before it was voluntarily dismissed. His attorney, Ebby Bakhtiar, stated:
“It was evident that we weren’t going to prevail, and the defense suggested a resolution to avoid the risk of paying legal fees.”
Remembering a Maestro
Alf Clausen’s influence extended across generations of viewers, musicians, and television creators. His mastery of musical storytelling made laughter more resonant, emotion more poignant, and satire more biting. His compositions helped shape one of television’s most iconic series, and his legacy will continue to echo in every note.
