Hans Zimmer

Hans Florian Zimmer (born 12 September 1957) is a German movie score composer, music producer and musician. He has written music for over 100 movies. 

His works include The Lion King (1994), Crimson Tide (1995), Gladiator (2000), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), Inception (2010), Rango (2011), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Man of Steel (2013), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Dunkirk (2017), Widows (2018) and The Lion King (2019). 

His most recent work was No Time to Die (2021), Wonder Woman 1984 (2021) and Dune (2021), for which he won another Academy Award. 

Career
Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States. Before becoming known as a film score composer, he wrote commercial jingles and was even part of the band The Buggles, known for their 1979 one-hit "Video Killed the Radio Star". He is in charge of the movie music division at DreamWorks studios. He also works with other composers through the company he founded, Remote Control Productions. 

Zimmer's works are notable for combining electronic music sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements. He has been given four Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, a Classical BRIT Award, and an Academy Award. He was also named on the list of Top 100 Living Geniuses, published by The Daily Telegraph.

In 2000, Zimmer's score for Gladiator became one of the best-selling movie score albums ever. He also composed video game scores such as Call of Duty and Fortnite.

Discography
As actor
Feature films
1980s
 Year Title Director Role Notes 1987 The Brave Little Toaster Jerry Rees Additional voices 1988 Who Framed Roger Rabbit Robert Zemeckis Oliver & Company George Scribner 1989 The Little Mermaid Ron ClementsJohn Musker
1990s
 Year Title Director Role Notes 1990 The Rescuers Down Under Hendel ButoyMike Gabriel Additional voices 1991 Beauty and the Beast Gary TrousdaleKirk Wise An American Tail: Fievel Goes West Phil NibbelinkSimon Wells 1992 Aladdin John MuskerRon Clements 1994 The Lion King Roger AllersRob Minkoff North Rob Reiner 1995 Forget Paris Billy Crystal Pocahontas Mike GabrielEric Goldberg The Run of the Country Peter Yates Toy Story John Lasseter 1996 City Hall Harold Becker The Hunchback of Notre Dame Gary TrousdaleKirk Wise 1997 Cats Don't Dance Mark Dindal Hercules Ron ClementsJohn Musker 1998 Quest for Camelot Frederik Du Chau Mulan Barry CookTony Bancroft Antz Eric DarnellTim Johnson The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Darrell Rooney A Bug's Life John LasseterMale Ants The Prince of Egypt Brenda ChapmanSteve HicknerSimon Wells Additional voices 1999 Doug's 1st Movie Maurice Joyce Tarzan Kevin LimaChris Buck The Iron Giant Brad BirdJim the Soldier, General Rogard's Army The Story of Us Rob Reiner Additional voices Toy Story 2 John Lasseter

2000s
 Year Title Director Role Notes 2000 The Tigger Movie Jun FalkensteinAndrew Stanton Additional voices An Extremely Goofy Movie Ian HarrowellDouglas McCarthy Titan A.E. Don BluthGary Goldman Chicken Run Peter LordNick Park 102 Dalmatians Kevin Lima The Emperor's New Groove Mark Dindal 2001 Recess: School's Out Chuck Sheetz Shrek Andrew AdamsonVicky Jenson Atlantis: The Lost Empire Gary TrousdaleKirk Wise Osmosis Jones Animation:Tom SitoPiet KroonLive-action:Bobby FarrellyPeter Farrelly Monsters, Inc. Pete DocterDavid Silverman 2002 Cinderella II: Dreams Come True John Kafka Direct-to-video Ice Age Chris Wedge Lilo & Stitch Chris SandersDean DeBlois Spirited Away Hayao MiyazakiFire Chief Treasure Planet Ron ClementsJohn MuskerMale Alien #2, Pirates 2003 Piglet's Big Movie Francis Glebas Additional voices Finding Nemo Andrew Stanton Brother Bear Aaron BlaiseRobert Walker 2004 Teacher's Pet Timothy Björklund Home on the Range Will FinnJohn Sanford The Incredibles Brad Bird 2005 Pooh's Heffalump Movie Frank Nissen Direct-to-video Robots Chris Wedge Madagascar Eric DarnellTom McGrath Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie Elliot M. Bour Chicken Little Mark Dindal 2006 Curious George Matthew O'Callaghan Ice Age: The Meltdown Carlos Saldanha Cars John Lasseter

2010s
 Year Title Director Role Notes 2018 Early Man Nick Park Additional voices Incredibles 2 Brad Bird

Television
 Year Title Role Notes 1999-2003 Mona the Vampire Additional voices 2003-2004 Caillou Additional voices 5 episodes

As composer
Feature films
1980s
 Year Title Director Studio / Publisher Notes 1982MoonlightingJerzy Skolimowski Miracle FilmsComposed with Stanley Myers 1984 Success Is the Best Revenge Gaumont Film Company Story of O – Chapter 2 Éric Rochat Cannon Film Distributors1985 My Beautiful Laundrette Stephen Frears Working Title FilmsChannel Four Films Insignificance Nicolas Roeg Recorded Picture CompanyZenith Productions1986 The Zero BoysNico Mastorakis Omega Entertainment Separate VacationsMichael AndersonAlliance CommunicationsPlayboy Productions 1987 Terminal ExposureNico MastorakisOmega EntertainmentNightmare at Noon The Wind The Nature of the Beast Franco RossoChannel Four FilmsCannon Film Distributors1988 The Fruit Machine Philip Saville Film4 ProductionsCannon Films  A World Apart Chris Menges Atlantic Releasing Corporation  Taffin Francis Megahy Vestron PicturesMetro-Goldwyn-MayerUnited ArtistsComposed with Stanley Myers Paperhouse Bernard Rose Working Title FilmsVestron Pictures Rain Man Barry Levinson Barris IndustriesGuber-Peters CompanyUnited ArtistsMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Nominated–Academy Award for Best Original Score Burning Secret Andrew Birkin Vestron Pictures  1989 Twister Michael Almereyda  Black Rain Ridley Scott Paramount Pictures 1st of 9 collaborations with R. Scott Diamond Skulls Nick Broomfield Film4 ProductionsWorking Title Films  Driving Miss Daisy Bruce Beresford The Zanuck CompanyWarner Bros. Pictures Nominated–Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media
1990s
YearTitleDirectorStudio / PublisherNotes1990 Chicago Joe and the Showgirl Bernard Rose LIVE EntertainmentPolyGram Filmed EntertainmentWorking Title FilmsNew Line Cinema  Bird on a Wire John Badham Interscope CommunicationsUniversal Pictures  Fools of Fortune Pat O'Connor Channel Four Films  Days of Thunder Tony Scott Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsParamount Pictures 1st of 4 collaborations with T. Scott Pacific Heights John Schlesinger Morgan Creek Productions20th Century FoxSony Pictures  Green Card Peter Weir Umbrella EntertainmentTouchstone Pictures  1991 Backdraft Ron Howard Imagine EntertainmentUniversal Pictures 1st of 8 collaborations with Howard Thelma & Louise Ridley Scott PathéMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Nominated–BAFTA Award for Best Film Music Regarding Henry Mike Nichols Paramount Pictures  Where Sleeping Dogs Lie Charles Finch August EntertainmentColumbia TriStar Composed with Mark Mancina K2 Franc Roddam Paramount Pictures Composed with Chaz Jankel 1992 Radio Flyer Richard Donner Columbia Pictures  The Power of One John G. Avildsen Regency EnterprisesLe Studio Canal+Village Roadshow PicturesWarner Bros. Pictures  A League of Their Own Penny Marshall Columbia Pictures  Toys Barry Levinson Baltimore Pictures20th Century Fox Composed with Trevor HornNominated–Saturn Award for Best Music 1993 Point of No Return John Badham Warner Bros. Pictures Composed with Nick Glennie-Smith Younger and Younger Percy Adlon Transmundo Films  Calendar Girl John Whitesell Columbia Pictures  True Romance Tony Scott Morgan Creek ProductionsDavis FilmsWarner Bros. Pictures  Cool Runnings Jon Turteltaub Walt Disney Pictures  The House of the Spirits Bille August Constantin FilmMiramax Films 1994 I'll Do Anything James L. Brooks Gracie FilmsColumbia Pictures 1st of 4 collaborations with Brooks Renaissance Man Penny Marshall Cinergi PicturesTouchstone Pictures  The Lion King Roger AllersRob Minkoff Walt Disney Animation StudiosWalt Disney Pictures Original songs by Elton John & Tim RiceComposed with Nick Glennie-Smith and Mark MancinaAcademy Award for Best Original ScoreGolden Globe Award for Best Original ScoreNominated–BAFTA Award for Best Film MusicNominated–Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and VocalsNominated–Grammy Award for Best Musical Album for ChildrenNominated–Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media Drop Zone John Badham Paramount Pictures  1995 Crimson Tide Tony Scott Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsHollywood Pictures Nominated–Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual MediaNominated–Saturn Award for Best Music Beyond Rangoon John Boorman Castle Rock EntertainmentColumbia Pictures  Nine Months Chris Columbus 1492 Pictures20th Century Fox  Something to Talk About Lasse Hallström Warner Bros. Pictures Composed with Graham Preskett Two Deaths Nicolas Roeg Castle Hill 1996 The Whole Wide World Dan Ireland Sony Pictures ClassicsThe Kushner-Locke CompanyCineville with Harry Gregson-Williams Broken Arrow John Woo 20th Century Fox  Muppet Treasure Island Brian Henson Jim Henson ProductionsWalt Disney Pictures Original songs by Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil The Rock Michael Bay Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsHollywood Pictures 1st of 6 collaborations with BayComposed with Nick Glennie-Smith & Harry Gregson-WilliamsNominated–Saturn Award for Best Music The Fan Tony Scott Mandalay EntertainmentScott Free ProductionsTriStar Pictures  The Preacher's Wife Penny Marshall The Samuel Goldwyn CompanyTouchstone Pictures Nominated–Academy Award for Best Original Score 1997 Smilla's Sense of Snow Bille August Bavaria FilmConstantin FilmDet Danske FilminstitutGreenland Film ProductionNordisk Film with Harry Gregson-Williams The Peacemaker Mimi Leder DreamWorks Pictures  As Good as It Gets James L. Brooks Gracie FilmsTriStar Pictures Nominated–Academy Award for Best Original Score1998 The Last Days James Moll October Films Documentary film The Prince of Egypt Simon WellsBrenda ChapmanSteve Hickner DreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Pictures Original songs by Stephen SchwartzNominated–Academy Award for Best Original ScoreNominated–Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score The Thin Red Line Terrence Malick Phoenix Pictures20th Century Fox Nominated–Academy Award for Best Original Score1999 The Iron Giant Brad Bird Warner Bros. Feature AnimationWarner Bros. His first score for an animated movie.Performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande. Chill Factor Hugh Johnson Morgan Creek ProductionsWarner Bros. Pictures Composed with John Powell

2000s
YearTitleDirectorStudio / PublisherNotes 2000 An Everlasting Piece Barry Levinson DreamWorks Pictures (US)Columbia Pictures (International)  Mission: Impossible II John Woo Cruise/Wagner ProductionsParamount Pictures  Gladiator Ridley Scott Scott Free ProductionsRed Wagon EntertainmentDreamWorks Pictures (US)Universal Pictures (International) Composed with Lisa GerrardGolden Globe Award for Best Original ScoreNominated–Academy Award for Best Original ScoreNominated–BAFTA Award for Best Film MusicNominated–Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual MediaNominated–Saturn Award for Best Music The Road to El Dorado Eric "Bibo" BergeronDon Paul DreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Pictures Composed with John PowellNominated–Annie Award Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature ProductionNominated–Saturn Award for Best Music The Luke Movie Brad Bird Warner Bros. Family Entertainment His first and only score for an animated movie. Performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Soundtrack released by Varèse Sarabande. Logan and Luke 2001 Black Hawk Down Ridley Scott Revolution StudiosJerry Bruckheimer FilmsScott Free ProductionsColumbia Pictures  Riding in Cars with Boys Penny Marshall Gracie FilmsColumbia Pictures  Pearl Harbor Michael Bay Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsTouchstone Pictures Nominated–Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score Hannibal Ridley Scott Dino De Laurentiis CompanyScott Free ProductionsMetro-Goldwyn-MayerUniversal Pictures  Invincible Werner Herzog Channel Four Films (UK)Fine Line Features (US) Composed with Klaus Badelt The Pledge Sean Penn Franchise PicturesMorgan Creek ProductionsWarner Bros. 2002 Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Kelly AsburyLorna Cook DreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Pictures Features lyrics and vocals by Bryan AdamsNominated–Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score The Ring Gore Verbinski DreamWorks Pictures1st of 7 collaborations with VerbinskiNominated–Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Score 2003 The Last Samurai Edward Zwick Radar PicturesThe Bedford Falls CompanyCruise/Wagner ProductionsWarner Bros. Nominated–Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score Something's Gotta Give Nancy Meyers Columbia Pictures (US)Warner Bros. (International)  Matchstick Men Ridley Scott ImageMoversScott Free ProductionsSaturn FilmsWarner Bros.  Tears of the Sun Antoine Fuqua Revolution StudiosCheyenne EnterprisesColumbia Pictures  2004 Spanglish James L. Brooks Gracie FilmsColumbia Pictures Nominated–Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score Laura's Star Piet De Rycker Warner Bros. Family Entertainment Composed with Nick Glennie-Smith & Henning Lohner Shark Tale Vicky JensonBibo BergeronRob Letterman DreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Pictures  King Arthur Antoine Fuqua Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsTouchstone Pictures  Thunderbirds Jonathan Frakes StudioCanalWorking Title FilmsUniversal Pictures  2005 The Weather Man Gore Verbinski Escape ArtistsParamount Pictures Composed with James S. Levine Der kleine Eisbär 2 – Die geheimnisvolle Insel Piet De Rycker Rothkirch Cartoon FilmWarner Bros. Family Entertainment Composed with Nick Glennie-Smith Madagascar Eric DarnellTom McGrath DreamWorks AnimationDreamWorks Pictures 1st of 3 collaborations with Darnell1st of 5 collaborations with McGrathNominated–Annie Award for Music in a Feature Production
Replaced Harry Gregson-Williams Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Nick ParkSteve Box DreamWorks AnimationAardman AnimationDreamWorks Pictures Composed with Julian Nott Batman Begins Christopher Nolan DC ComicsSyncopy Inc.Legendary PicturesWarner Bros. 1st of 7 collaborations with Nolan1st superhero filmComposed with James Newton HowardNominated–Saturn Award for Best Music 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Gore Verbinski Jerry Bruckheimer FilmsWalt Disney Pictures Nominated–Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media The Da Vinci Code Ron Howard Imagine EntertainmentRainmaker Digital EffectsColumbia Pictures Nominated–Golden Globe Award for Best Original ScoreNominated–Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media The Holiday Nancy Meyers Relativity MediaWaverly FilmsColumbia Pictures (US)Universal Pictures (International) Composed with Heitor Pereira

Short films
 Year Title Director Studio / Publisher Notes 1986 Vardo Matthew Jacobs   1990 Arcadia Paul Bamborough Channel Four FilmsWorking Title Films  1991 To the Moon, Alice Jessie Nelson Chanticleer Films  2008 Secrets of the Furious Five Raman Hui DreamWorks Animation Composed with Henry Jackman & John PowellAnnie Award for Best Music in an Animated Television Production or Short Form 2011 Megamind: The Button of Doom Simon J. Smith DreamWorks AnimationPacific Data Images Composed with Lorne Balfe Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters Tony Leondis DreamWorks Animation Composed with Lorne Balfe & John Powell 2012 The Longest Daycare David Silverman Gracie FilmsFilm Roman20th Century Fox The Simpsons animated shortComposed with James Dooley 2016 Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll Rodolphe Guenoden DreamWorks Animation Composed with Lorne Balfe & John Powell
Television
YearTitleNetwork Notes 1985 Wild Horses CBS Television film 1987 Comeback ITV Yorkshire Going for Gold BBC With Sandy McClelland 1988 First Born BBC Miniseries 1992 Millennium: Tribal Wisdom and the Modern World BBCGlobal Television Network 1993 Lifepod FOX Television filmTheme music onlyScore composed by Mark Mancina 1993–1994 Space Rangers CBS Theme music onlyScore composed by Mark Mancina and John Van Tongeren 1994–1995 The Critic Columbia Pictures TelevisionGracie FilmsABCFOX Theme music onlyScore composed by Alf Clausen 2000–2001  RTL Group Theme music onlyScore composed by Matthias Weber, Justin Burnett, James S. Levine & Geoff Zanelli 2010 The Pacific HBODreamWorksPlaytone MiniseriesTheme music onlyScore composed by Geoff Zanelli & Blake NeelyNominated–Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special 2011–2016 Through the Wormhole Revelations EntertainmentDiscovery Communications Documentary seriesTheme music onlywith Jacob Shea 2011 Curiosity  Documentary series; 1 episode 2013 The Bible Lightworkers MediaHistory MiniseriesComposed with Lisa Gerrard & Lorne Balfe 2015Premier Boxing Champions  Boxing program Sons of Liberty A&E NetworksHistory MiniseriesTheme music onlyScore composed by Lorne Balfe A.D. The Bible Continues NBC Music director onlyScore composed by Lorne Balfe 2016 Planet Earth II BBC Documentary series; 6 episodesComposed with Jasha Klebe & Jacob SheaNominated–BAFTA Award for Best Original Music The Crown Sony Pictures TelevisionLeft Bank PicturesNetflix Theme music onlyScore composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams 2017 Genius National Geographic Theme music onlyScore composed by Lorne BalfeNominated–Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music Blue Planet II BBC Documentary series; 7 episodesComposed with David Fleming & Jacob Shea 2018 Believer HBO Documentary filmComposed with Dan Reynolds 2019 Seven Worlds, One Planet BBC Documentary series; 7 episodesComposed with Jacob Shea 

References

Other websites



 Interview with Hans Zimmer in Film Score Monthly 
 Interview with Hans Zimmer about Sherlock Holmes from C Music TV 
 Focus.De 
 Interviews with Hans Zimmer

Category:1957 births
Category:Living people
Category:20th-century German composers
Category:21st-century German composers
Category:Academy Award winning composers
Category:Golden Globe Award winning composers
Category:Grammy Award winners
Category:Movie score composers
Category:People from Frankfurt
Category:Saturn Award winners