Mark Snow, the iconic composer of ‘The X-Files’ and ‘Blue Bloods,’ passes away at 78

Mark Snow, who composed the famous The X Files theme song in the 1990s, died on July 4, 2025. He was 78.

Variety has reported that the legendary composer, who also worked on Smallville, Ghost Whisperer, Blue Bloods, and more, died at his Connecticut home on Friday. His friend, the Emmy-winning musician cum composer, Sean Callery, took to Facebook to make the announcement, Deadline has reported.

"Mark Snow, and one of the most wonderful and talented people I’ve ever known, has passed away. 33 years ago he began mentoring me as an artist. Who knew that I was also at the beginning of a deep friendship that would only grow and evolve over 3 decades along with our graying hair and tighter deadlines. His humor, his spirit, his talent – good God his immense talent – the world has lost a genuine and beautiful soul. Whenever I was working on a theme I would send it to him for feedback – and he would diagnose it instantly— with a knowing swipe of his hand indicating that I discard all the superfluous drivel I was putting out there —because he knew how to get to the heart and truth of things."

The statement goes on,

"That wisdom continues to inform me both inside and outside the music studio. I am so grateful to him for his sage counsel and his laugh-out-loud biting wit. My career got started by an act of generosity on his part 33 years ago – period, full stop. I love you my friend. There will never ever be another like you. I send love to Glynnis and all his children and grandchildren during this time."

Mark Snow's life and legacy explored

Mark Snow is also credited with scoring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson's The X-Files series for over 200 episodes. Other TV shows he composed for include Hart to Hart, The Love Boat, Vega$, Starsky & Hutch, Cagney & Lacey, T.J Hooker, Matt Houston and Pee-wee’s Playhouse.

He nabbed 15 Emmy nominations for his work on The X-Files, and five more for other films and TV shows, such as Something About Amelia, An American Story, Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All, Children of the Dust, and Helter Skelter.

Back in 2016, Mark Snow reflected on how he eventually became comfortable with electronic music during an interview for the Television Academy:

“It took quite a few years to get to where I felt comfortable with the electronics, trying to make something that approximated melodic music. Mostly it was used for ambient sound-effect type scores. But the technology kept changing so quickly. There was much more control, and the spectrum of sound really warmed up and started to breathe. These electronic instruments could really make something approximating music. [Now] I have my keyboard, here’s the show on the screen in front of me, and I just start playing along with it. I improvise, and then I hit on something I like, and I go over it again and again.”

He earned a César nomination for French filmmaker Alain Resnais's 2007 film, Private Fears in Public Places, as well as the ASCAP Golden Note Award in 2005, and the Career Achievement Award in 2014.

Mark Snow was born Martin Fulterman in Brooklyn, having graduated from New York City's High School of Music & Art, which is now known as Fiorella H. LaGuardia High School of Art and Performing Arts. He eventually enrolled at the Juilliard School.

As he began his career, he shifted to LA, where he started writing TV scores. The Daily Mail has reported that he opted for a pseudonym to circumvent any legal threats from his previous boss, though it went on to stick, and he used it as his professional moniker until his demise.

Mark Snow is survived by his wife, Glynnis, three daughters, and several grandchildren.

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