Celebrated British composer George Fenton has died aged 76.
The five-time Oscar-nominated composer wrote numerous scores for film, television, and theater over a career spanning more than five decades – including scores for Ghandi, Cry Freedom, Dangerous Liaisons, The Fischer King and Groundhog Day.
In a statement, Fenton’s family said: “We are very sad to announce that George Fenton passed away unexpectedly today (Monday 5 October). He is survived by his loving wife Amanda, ex-wife Jane, children Gemma, Grace and Bridget, and grandchildren Lola, Audrey, Alfred, George, Frank and Beatrice, and a life of music.”
Some of Fenton’s most notable film work as a composer also includes The Jewel in the Crown, Mary Reilly, The Object of My Affection, You’ve Got Mail, Anna and the King and Bewitched. He also maintained a long-lasting partnership with director Ken Loach, scoring most of the director’s films, with music for My Name Is Joe, Sweet Sixteen, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, The Angels’ Share, I, Daniel Blake, Sorry We Missed You, and The Old Oak.
Fenton’s work for television includes several of beloved wildlife broadcaster David Attenborough’s documentary series, including The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, as well as the 2023 series Wild Isles.
Over his career, Fenton won two Emmys (for The Blue Planet and Planet Earth), three BAFTAs (Bergerac, The Monocled Mutineer, The Blue Planet), five Ivor Novellos (Ghandi, The Jewel in the Crown, The Monocled Mutineer, Cry Freedom, Shadowlands), and earned two Grammy and three Golden Globe nominations.
He also wrote many well-known theme tunes British audiences will be familiar with, including the BBC’s One O’Clock News, Six O’Clock News, Nine O’Clock News, Newsnight, The Money Programme, and Radio 4’s PM Programme.
In 2023, Fenton was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to music.
His final film score was for Trudie Styler’s Up Against It, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month, on 12 September.
RIP George Fenton 1949 – 2026