The news of Oscar-winning composer James Horner’s death has led to a series of tributes by those who knew his music and those who worked with him.
The 61-year-old was piloting a single-engine plane, one of several he owned, which crashed in California yesterday morning. No one else was with him.
He was best known for his Oscar-winning score for Titanic but also received nominations for films including Aliens, Field of Dreams, Braveheart and Avatar. He still has two remaining film scores to be released, for Jake Gyllenhaal boxing drama Southpaw and Chilean miner thriller The 33.
Celine Dion, who sang Horner’s Titanic hit My Heart Will Go On, released a statement expressing her grief.
Rene and I are deeply saddened by the tragic death of James Horner. He will always remain a great composer in our hearts. James played an important part in my career. We will miss him. We offer his family and friends our deepest sympathy.
Fellow composers have also offered their condolences, including Alexandre Desplat, who won an Oscar for his score for The Grand Budapest Hotel: “It is a tragedy for all composers to hear about James Horner’s accident. We have lost one of our most talented and respected colleagues. His music will remain always.”
Stars have also been remembering Horner on Twitter, from directors Ron Howard and Richard Kelly to actors Russell Crowe and Rob Lowe.
My sincere condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of James Horner. #abeautifulmind
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) June 23, 2015
#JAMES HORNER composed the score to Volunteers, the movie that @tomhanks & I did in 1985. Beautiful score. Prayers 4 James and his family.
— Rita Wilson (@RitaWilson) June 23, 2015
Brilliant Composer James Horner, friend & collaborator on 7 movies has tragically died in a plane crash. My heart aches for his loved ones.
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) June 23, 2015
Song of the night 'The great migration' #JamesHorner
— #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) June 23, 2015
Incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of James Horner. I grew up loving his work. He leaves behind a spectacular musical legacy.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) June 23, 2015
James Horner helped define my love of cinema as a child. One of the greatest film composers of all time. So tragic if he is gone.
— Richard Kelly (@JRichardKelly) June 23, 2015
There is nothing that shaped my movie-going experience more than the musical genius of James Horner. He will live on through the ages.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) June 23, 2015
I am lucky to be able to say I was in a movie that was scored by #JamesHorner. Flights of angels dear sweet beautiful mind…
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) June 23, 2015
To work with James Horner was one of the biggest moments of my life. He was such a kind soul, I'm so saddened
— Leona Lewis (@leonalewis) June 23, 2015
Devastated about James Horner.
— Jamie Bell (@1jamiebell) June 23, 2015
