Alf Clausen, the composer who left a mark on generations with his unmistakable musical style in series such as The Simpsons and ALF, passed away last May 29 in Los Angeles, at the age of 84. The news was confirmed by his family, who detailed that the musician was suffering from a neurodegenerative disease, initially diagnosed as Parkinson's.
With a career spanning more than four decades in the audiovisual industry, Clausen established himself as one of the most prolific composers in American television. His career includes memorable work in series such as Moonlighting, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and in film comedies such as The Naked Gun, but it was his time on The Simpsons that elevated him to cult status within the entertainment world.
Summoned in 1990 by Matt Groening, Clausen joined the animated series' team from its second season. Over 27 years, he composed incidental music for more than 550 episodes, writing over 10,000 original pieces and conducting a 35-musician orchestra each week. While The Simpsons' main theme was created by Danny Elfman, many of the series' most memorable songs—such as "See My Vest" or "You're Checkin' In"—bear Clausen's signature.
