Composer-Orchestrator David Raksin Dies at 92

He was born on August 4, 1912 in Philadelphia. Raksin studied at the University of Pennsylvania and came to Hollywood at age 23 to work with Charlie Chaplin; he arranged and helped Chaplin write the music for Chaplin’s acclaimed 1936 film Modern Times. Raksin’s Broadway credits included orchestrating the music for Parade (1935), At Home Abroad (1935), and New Faces of 1936. He also composed music for the short-lived 1946 musical comedy If the Shoe Fits.

In addition to Laura, Raksin wrote the scores for such films as Forever Amber, Separate Tables, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and The Bad and the Beautiful. His compositions for television include the theme songs for Wagon Train, Ben Casey, Life With Father, and the 1983 TV movie The Day After.

Raksin began teaching at the University of Southern California in 1953 and retired from his position there last year. He is survived by two children and three grandchildren.