Mark Snow, a veteran television composer known for his iconic theme for “The X-Files” that unexpectedly became a chart hit in the 1990s, passed away on Friday at his residence in Connecticut at the age of 78. With 15 Emmy nominations to his name, Snow made his mark by composing music for over 200 episodes of the eerie Fox series created by Chris Carter, as well as its cinematic adaptations featuring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. His musical talents extended to various other TV shows, including “Hart to Hart,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Smallville,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” and “Blue Bloods.”
Among his Emmy nominations, six were for his work on “The X-Files,” while the remaining were for highly-rated TV movies and miniseries such as “Something About Amelia,” “An American Story,” “Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All,” “Children of the Dust,” and “Helter Skelter.” Snow, who was trained at Juilliard, was one of the early adopters of electronic music composition in the late 1980s, creating all the music for “The X-Files” entirely on synthesizers and samplers in his home studio.
Sean Callery, a fellow composer who considered Snow a mentor and close friend for over 30 years, praised his creativity and generosity in offering guidance to aspiring composers. Snow’s distinctive musical style, particularly his work on “The X-Files,” revolutionized television storytelling through music, according to Callery. Snow also composed for other series by Carter, such as “Millennium,” “Harsh Realm,” and “The Lone Gunmen,” receiving another Emmy nomination for his theme for “Nowhere Man” in 1996.
Reflecting on his career in a 2016 interview, Snow discussed his journey in mastering electronic music and incorporating melodic elements into his compositions. He emphasized the evolving technology that allowed for greater control and a richer sound palette, enabling him to create music that truly resonated with audiences.
In addition to his work in television, Snow’s musical legacy includes scoring the final four films by acclaimed French filmmaker.
Born as Martin Fulterman on August 26, 1946, in Brooklyn, the composer Alain Resnais earned a César nomination for his work on the 2007 film “Private Fears in Public Places.” Fulterman began his musical journey by studying piano at the age of 10, later adding drums and oboe to his repertoire. He attended New York’s High School of Music and Art where he became friends with fellow future film composer Michael Kamen, known for his work on “Lethal Weapon” and “Die Hard.” The two then became roommates at the Juilliard School of Music from 1964 to 1968, where they co-founded the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, performing a mix of classical and innovative pop music.
After a brief stint as a record producer, Fulterman moved to Los Angeles in 1974, where his brother-in-law, actor Georg Stanford Brown, helped him secure a chance to score for ABC’s “The Rookies.” It was during this time that Martin Fulterman adopted the pseudonym Mark Snow, which eventually became his professional name. Snow found success in episodic TV, composing for shows such as “Starsky & Hutch,” “Gemini Man,” and “Family.” He also studied under TV composer Earle Hagen and music teacher George Tremblay to enhance his scoring skills.
Snow’s career flourished with hits like the theme for “Hart to Hart,” multiple scores for “T.J. Hooker,” and themes for shows like “Crazy Like a Fox” and “The Love Boat.” He continued to work on numerous TV series, including “Dynasty,” “Vega$,” and “Falcon Crest.” Snow’s success peaked in the 1990s with his acclaimed work on “The X-Files” music, leading to scoring opportunities for shows like “Smallville,” “Ghost Whisperer,” and “Blue Bloods.”
In addition to his television work, Snow ventured into scoring feature films such as “Ernest Saves Christmas,” “Crazy in Alabama,” and the “X-Files” movies. His contributions to the industry were recognized with accolades like ASCAP’s Golden Note Award in 2005 and a Career Achievement Award from the TV Academy in 2014.
Alain Resnais is survived by his wife Glynnis, three daughters, and grandchildren.
Children, check out the top contenders for the Oscars 2026, including George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura, and more. Discover the latest movies showing in theaters this week. Get to know the cast of the upcoming ‘Harry Potter’ TV show. Stay updated with Variety by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news.
