Laurie Johnson is dead. The British film composer died on January 16, 2024 in Hampstead at the age of 96. His family announced his death to the BBC. “He leaves a legacy that will forever resonate in our hearts,” the family wrote in a statement.
“Laurie’s music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world,” the statement continued. “Over the course of his illustrious career, he composed numerous iconic scores, themes and soundtracks that enriched our lives in film, television, theater and radio.”
Laurie Johnson died in her sleep, according to his family. “We remember Laurie as an extraordinary human being who enjoyed life with passion and brought joy to so many people. His kindness, compassion and infectious sense of fun and laughter will be greatly missed by all who knew him.” , said his survivors.
The composer was born Laurence Reginald Ward Johnson on February 7, 1906. He studied music at the Royal College of Music in London. He then moved into the entertainment industry, composing for the theater and working at the music library KPM Music, which provides music for films, series and shows.
His best-known film music was the accompaniment to Stanley Kubrick’s cult film “Dr. Strange or: How I Learned to Love the Bomb” in 1964. But he had the greatest influence as a composer of series. From 1965 he provided the music for the cult series “Schirm, Charme und Melone” (1961-1969). The spy series with Diana Rigg (1938-2020) was also a great success in Germany. Johnson was also there for the short-lived revival in 1976.
After the end of “Umbrella, Charm and Melone”, Laurie Johnson was involved in the successor “The Professionals” together with the producers of the cult series. The series, which focused more on action and less on humor, started in Great Britain in 1977. In Germany, “The Professionals” only ran from 1981, but was then very successful. In the 1990s, Johnson was a producer on the revival of The Pros.
