Alf Clausen, Emmy-winning composer for ‘The Simpsons,’ dies at 84

Alf Clausen, the veteran composer who scored The Simpsons for nearly three decades, has died aged 84.

Clausen died Thursday (May 29) at his Valley Village home in Los Angeles, his daughter confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. She later took to social media to say he had been fighting a “long and valiant” battle with Parkinson’s disease.

“He left a huge mark on this world and has touched the lives of millions, and I’m so proud to call him ‘Dad’,” she wrote. “Rest easy, Maestro. I will miss you every day.”

His breakthrough as a TV composer came in 1985 on the ABC’s Moonlighting, which followed years of working on a variety of projects, including music directing and orchestrating.

He later took on composing duties for ALF, as was then offered the Simpsons gig, although he initially resisted it, worrying it was too light-hearted compared to his previous work.

However, he began scoring the beloved cartoon comedy in 1990, and ended up writing music for more than 600 episodes, with its theme tune provided by Danny Elfman. Throughout his career, he received 30 Emmy nominations, with 21 of them being for his work on The Simpsons.

The two-time Emmy award winning composer – for the songs ‘We Put The Spring In Springfield’ and ‘You’re Checkin’ In (A Musical Tribute To The Betty Ford Center)’ – was responsible for iconic Simpsons musical moments like The Stonecutters’ song, ‘We Do’, and Mr Burns’ ode to fur, ‘See My Vest’.

However, his relationship to the show soured after a legal battle in 2019. Clausen had filed a lawsuit against Disney and Fox after he was dismissed from the show after a 27-year tenure, claiming his dismissal was based on ageism and disability.

When it was first reported Clausen was leaving, a statement was issued about the composer, beginning: “We tremendously value Alf Clausen’s contributions to The Simpsons, and he will continue to have an ongoing role in the show.”

It went on to say that this was the part where they would usually “make a joke, but neither Alf’s work nor the music of The Simpsons is treated as anything but seriously by us.”

Footage of Alf Clausen at work on The Simpsons conducting studio musicians at a recording session for “Homer the Heretic” (originally featured in a 1992 Oprah Behind the Scenes special). pic.twitter.com/7uJr1gPmsY

— On This Day in Simpsons History 🇺🇦 (@dailysimpsons) May 31, 2025

Indeed, his career achievements were significant, including five Annie Award wins and seven ASCAP Film & TV Music Awards for The Simpsons alone. Clausen also bagged the ASCAP’s Golden Note Award in 2011, a prize dedicated to songwriters, composers, and artists who have achieved extraordinary career milestones.

Among those paying tribute were long-time Simpsons writer Al Jean, who wrote on X/Twitter: “Clausen was an incredibly talented man who did so much for The Simpsons.” Fans also took to the site to celebrate to composer’s legacy, with one writing: “Don’t think there’s any doubt that he was one of the most important figures in Simpsons history.”

“So much of the identity of the Simpsons – the stings, the interstitial music cues, the quite impressive full musical numbers – were Alf Clausen,” another added. “All of it really except for the title theme. Foundational to the show.”

He is survived by his wife Sally, his children Kaarin, Scott and Kyle, and stepchildren Josh and Emily.

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