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American composer, conductor, and arranger who was one of the most influential and prolific figures in Hollywood film music history, serving as Music Director at 20th Century Fox for two decades. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Newman was a child prodigy pianist. He began his Broadway career as a conductor and arranger in his teens, working for prominent composers like Irving Berlin and George Gershwin. He moved to Hollywood in 1930. Appointed Music Director at 20th Century Fox in 1940, he oversaw the studio's musical output for 20 years, composing scores for over 200 films himself. He pioneered the lush, orchestral 'Hollywood sound' and developed the influential 'Newman System' for synchronizing music to film. He won an unprecedented 9 Academy Awards for Best Original Score and received 45 Oscar nominations.

• Despite his immense success, Newman reportedly remained humble and was deeply respected by musicians for his conducting precision and ability to get the best performances from orchestras.
• He fathered a remarkable musical dynasty: his brothers Emil and Lionel were also film composers and conductors; his sons David, Thomas, and Maria are all highly successful and Oscar-nominated film composers.
• He composed the iconic 20th Century Fox Fanfare (originally for 1933's 'The Bowery'), one of the most instantly recognizable pieces of film music ever written.
• Newman suffered from emphysema, a condition often attributed to years of heavy smoking. This contributed to his declining health and eventual death in 1970 at the age of 68.