- Born
- Birth nameDaniel Robert Elfman
- Height1.78 m
- As Danny Elfman was growing up in the Los Angeles area, he was largely unaware of his talent for composing. It wasn't until the early 1970s that Danny and his older brother Richard Elfman started a musical troupe while in Paris; the group "Mystic Knights of Oingo-Boingo" was created for Richard's directorial debut, Forbidden Zone (1980) (now considered a cult classic by Elfman fans). The group's name went through many incarnations over the years, beginning with "The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo" and eventually just Oingo Boingo. While continuing to compose eclectic, intelligent rock music for his L.A.-based band (some of which had been used in various film soundtracks, e.g. Une créature de rêve (1985)), Danny formed a friendship with young director Tim Burton, who was then a fan of Oingo Boingo. Danny went on to score the soundtrack of Pee-wee Big Adventure (1985), Danny's first orchestral film score. The Elfman-Burton partnership continued (most notably through the hugely-successful "Batman" flicks) and opened doors of opportunity for Danny, who has been referred to as "Hollywood's hottest film composer".- IMDb mini biography by: Dana Caro James <eville@nc5.infi.net>
- SpousesBridget Fonda(November 29, 2003 - present) (1 child)Geri Eisenmenger(1984 - ?) (divorced, 1 child)
- ChildrenOliver ElfmanLola Elfman
- Parents
- RelativesRichard Elfman(Sibling)Bodhi Elfman(Niece or Nephew)
- Frequently combines orchestral sounds with digital sounds. Most noticeable in the opening sequence of Charlie et la Chocolaterie (2005).
- Heavy use of brass and percussion in his film scores
- Often works with Tim Burton and Sam Raimi
- Brooding Gothic compositions
- Use of Haunting Vocals
- Sang all the vocals for the five songs in Charlie et la Chocolaterie (2005). He recorded singing it in different ways and played with the audio to make it sound like various high- and low-pitched vocals.
- Learned how to breathe fire as a street performer in Paris after he graduated from high school.
- Signed a non-exclusive contract with Disney to write, produce, and direct films, while continuing to compose for Disney and other studios.
- He was so impressed by Créatures célestes (1994) that he offered to do the musical score for the next movie of whoever directed it. That director turned out to be Peter Jackson, and his next movie, Fantômes contre fantômes (1996), was indeed scored by Elfman.
- Composed comic book scores from Dick Tracy (1990), Darkman (1990), Batman (1989), Batman : Le Défi (1992), Men in Black (1997), Men in Black 2 (2002), Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), and Hulk (2003).
- I get drawn to things that don't make any sense, and I learned early on not to resist that.
- I've known Sam [Raimi] for almost 15 years. Spider-Man 2 (2004) was my fifth movie with him and all I can say is that the person who was there at the end of Spider-Man 2 was not Sam. I don't know who it was, but it wasn't Sam. It was as close to living out L'Invasion des profanateurs de sépultures (1956) as I've ever experienced. To see such a profound negative change in a human being was almost enough to make me feel like I didn't want to make films anymore. It was really disheartening and sad to see the way it ended up.
- It all depends on the directors. Working closely with a director is the main job of a film composer. Interpreting what he perceives as a color, an emotion or mood is very abstract. A director tells you something he wants and then you have to run back to your music and respond with, "I think he meant something like this."
- I don't think there's a trademark Danny Elfman element that has been consistent in my work. I don't hear many similarities in what I do and I don't think it's necessary that I have a particular style. Having a particular style is not bad, but I prefer to push myself in the direction of being a composer who you never know what he's doing next.
- The Oingo is still there. It just got lost off of our current album cover. Since then, however, it was found by my daughter in between the cushions of our couch. Although it's a bit sticky it will undoubtedly find its way back on our next album. The horn section I'm sorry to say succumbed to the terrible flesh-eating bacteria that I'm sure you read so much about. I wish I could say that they died quietly in their sleep, as opposed to screaming in agony as was the case. However who am I to question such things in the great cosmic scheme...
- Spider-Man 2 (2004) - $2,000,000
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content