Top 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsMost Popular Video GamesMost Popular Music VideosMost Popular Podcasts
    Release CalendarBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersSundance Film FestivalIndependent Spirit AwardsBlack History MonthSXSWSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Biography
  • Awards
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Danny Elfman

  • Music Department
  • Composer
  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
Danny Elfman
Theatrical Trailer from Paramount
Play trailer2:23
Charlotte's Web (2006)
16 Videos
58 Photos
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. Weird Science (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's 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".
BornMay 29, 1953
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMay 29, 1953
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 4 Oscars

Photos58

Danny Elfman and Oingo Boingo in Forbidden Zone (1980)
Danny Elfman at an event for Wednesday (2022)
Danny Elfman at an event for Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Tim Burton, and Danny Elfman at an event for Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Danny Elfman at an event for Predator 2 (1990)
Danny Elfman and Jack Black at an event for Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018)
Danny Elfman, Gus Van Sant, and Logan Hill
Danny Elfman and Gus Van Sant
Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman at an event for Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018)
Danny Elfman, Joaquin Phoenix, Gus Van Sant, Jack Black, Paul Blair, Jonah Hill, and Beth Ditto at an event for Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018)
Danny Elfman

Known for

Danny Elfman and Chris Sarandon in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
7.9
  • Music Department
  • 1993
Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, AnnaSophia Robb, Julia Winter, Jordan Fry, and Philip Wiegratz in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
6.7
  • Composer(music by)
  • 2005
Corpse Bride (2005)
Corpse Bride
7.3
  • Music Department(songs)
  • 2005
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in Men in Black (1997)
Men in Black
7.3
  • Composer(music by)
  • 1997

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Music Department

  • Growing Up Kylee
    • Completed
  • Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and Yeardley Smith in The Simpsons (1989)
    The Simpsons
  • Jenna Ortega in Wednesday (2022)
    Wednesday
  • Next Exit (2022)
    Next Exit
  • Yeardley Smith and Billie Eilish in When Billie Met Lisa (2022)
    When Billie Met Lisa
  • Willem Dafoe, Jamie Foxx, Rhys Ifans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zendaya, and Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
    Spider-Man: No Way Home
  • The Simpsons in Plusaversary (2021)
    The Simpsons in Plusaversary
  • The Force Awakens from Its Nap (2021)
    The Force Awakens from Its Nap
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert (2020)
    The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
  • Playdate with Destiny (2020)
    Playdate with Destiny
  • Tobias Bastian Them Burø, Bastian Lars Andreasen, Vigga Rohweder, and Morgan Batchelor in BaseBoys (2018)
    BaseBoys
  • Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot (2018)
    Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot
  • Tom Hanks and Emma Watson in The Circle (2017)
    The Circle
  • Austin P. McKenzie in When We Rise (2017)
    When We Rise
  • Kevin Conroy, Chris Diamantopoulos, Rachel Kimsey, Jason J. Lewis, and Dana Snyder in Justice League Action (2016)
    Justice League Action
  • Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in Fifty Shades Darker (2017)
    Fifty Shades Darker

Composer

  • 65
    • Post-production
  • Rhona Who Lives by the River
    • Post-production
  • Bloody Bridget
    • Post-production
  • Forbidden Zone 2:
    • Pre-production
  • Bloody Bridget 2
    • Pre-production
  • Beetlejuice 2
    • In Production
  • Jenna Ortega in Wednesday (2022)
    Wednesday
    • (music by)
  • Don Cheadle, May Nivola, Greta Gerwig, Adam Driver, and Raffey Cassidy in White Noise (2022)
    White Noise
    • (music by)
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Xochitl Gomez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
    • (music by)
  • Parker: A Spider Man Origin Story (2021)
    Parker: A Spider Man Origin Story
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert (2020)
    The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert
  • Joe Biden Biography (Biden Convention Film)
  • Amy Adams in The Woman in the Window (2020)
    The Woman in the Window
  • Robert Downey Jr., Emma Thompson, Marion Cotillard, Octavia Spencer, John Cena, Selena Gomez, Rami Malek, Kumail Nanjiani, and Tom Holland in Dolittle (2020)
    Dolittle
  • Thierry Genovese in Cine Chalom (2019)
    Cine Chalom
    • (music by)
  • Aliens, Clowns & Geeks (2019)
    Aliens, Clowns & Geeks
  • Liam Neeson, Emma Thompson, Tim Blaney, Chris Hemsworth, Tessa Thompson, and Kumail Nanjiani in Men in Black: International (2019)
    Men in Black: International
  • Danny DeVito, Danny Elfman, Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell, Derek Frey, Rick Heinrichs, Ehren Kruger, Deobia Oparei, Roshan Seth, Ben Davis, Eva Green, Joseph Gatt, Frank Bourke, Sharon Rooney, Ragevan Vasan, Finley Hobbins, Nico Parker, and Zenaida Alcalde in Dumbo (2019)
    Dumbo
  • Benedict Cumberbatch in The Grinch (2018)
    The Grinch
    • (music by)
  • Do You Believe in Ghosts? (2018)
    Do You Believe in Ghosts?
  • Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in Fifty Shades Freed (2018)
    Fifty Shades Freed
    • (music by)

Actor

  • Danny Elfman, Catherine O'Hara, and Ken Page in The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl (2018)
    The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl
    • ...
  • DemiUrge Emesis (2010)
    DemiUrge Emesis
    • (voice)
  • Proud Iza (2008)
    Proud Iza
    • (voice)
  • Corpse Bride (2005)
    Corpse Bride
    • (voice)
  • Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, AnnaSophia Robb, Julia Winter, Jordan Fry, and Philip Wiegratz in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
    Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
    • (voice, uncredited)
  • Cate Blanchett in The Gift (2000)
    The Gift
  • Danny Elfman and Chris Sarandon in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
    The Nightmare Before Christmas
    • (voice)
  • Oingo Boingo: Skeletons in the Closet (1989)
    Oingo Boingo: Skeletons in the Closet
  • Oingo Boingo: Stay (1986)
    Oingo Boingo: Stay
  • Back to School (1986)
    Back to School
  • Danny Elfman in Oingo Boingo: Weird Science (1985)
    Oingo Boingo: Weird Science
  • Longshot (1981)
    Longshot
    • (as Daniel Elfman)
  • Danny Elfman, Jan Stuart Schwartz, and Susan Tyrrell in Forbidden Zone (1980)
    Forbidden Zone
  • Kathleen Quinlan in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977)
    I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
    • (as Dan Elfman)
  • Hot Tomorrows
    Hot Tomorrows

Videos16

The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
Clip 1:48
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
Clip 1:09
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
Clip 1:59
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
Clip 1:42
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 3D
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Clip 1:38
The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Clip 1:59
The Nightmare Before Christmas
American Hustle TV Spot "Imposter"
Clip 0:32
American Hustle TV Spot "Imposter"
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 2018 Edition
Trailer 1:14
The Nightmare Before Christmas: 2018 Edition
Forbidden Zone
Trailer 0:48
Forbidden Zone
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Trailer 2:00
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Charlotte's Web
Trailer 2:23
Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web
Trailer 1:36
Charlotte's Web

Personal details

Edit
  • Official sites
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • May 29, 1953
    • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Bridget FondaNovember 29, 2003 - present (1 child)
    • Clare Elfman
    • Richard Elfman(Sibling)
  • Other works
    Danny continues as composer and lead singer of his eclectic rock band, known as Oingo Boingo. The group has released 11 albums as of 1994's recording (titled simply "Boingo"). The band retired after its farewell tour around Halloween 1995.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography
    • 1 Portrayal
    • 5 Interviews
    • 3 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Sang all the vocals for the five songs in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005). He recorded singing it in different ways and played with the audio to make it sound like various high- and low-pitched vocals.
  • Quotes
    I get drawn to things that don't make any sense, and I learned early on not to resist that.
    • Frequently combines orchestral sounds with digital sounds. Most noticeable in the opening sequence of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005).
    • Spider-Man 2
      (2004)
      $2,000,000

Related news

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More to explore

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
  • Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • IMDb Developer
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.