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Film Score Composer Danny Elfman Now Faces Sexual Assault Allegations; Here's His Net Worth

Renowned composer Danny Elfman has mastered the art of film scoring, earning a substantial net worth of $50 million. His multifaceted career encompasses work on over 100 feature films, rock stardom with Oingo Boingo, and creating iconic theme music for TV.
PUBLISHED OCT 29, 2023
Danny Elfman speaks onstage during Playlist 2022: A Netflix Film & Series Music Showcase | Getty Images | Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer
Danny Elfman speaks onstage during Playlist 2022: A Netflix Film & Series Music Showcase | Getty Images | Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer
Name Danny Elfman
Net Worth $50 Million
Salary $2 million per project
Annual Income $10 Million +
Sources of Income Acting. composer, singer, and production
Gender Male
Date of Birth May 29, 1953  
Age 70 years
Nationality American
Profession Singer-songwriter, producer, actor, composer

Noticed for his contribution to soundtracks of films such as "A Nightmare Before Christmas,"  "Beetlejuice," and "Edward Scissorhands," and now notorious because of sexual assault allegations, musician Danny Elfman has amassed a net worth of $50 million. His diverse career took shape after he entered the music industry as the lead singer of the eclectic band Oingo Boingo in the 80s, and created iconic theme music for television shows as well as original scores for more than 100 films. The sounds associated with “Spider-Man” and “Justice League” to the eerie and sinister tones of “Sleepy Hollow” and “Dark Shadows,” are all examples of Elfman's versatility as a composer. But currently, his legacy has been blemished with sexual assault allegations leveled by at least two women.


 
 
 
 
 
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What are Danny Elfman's sources of income?

With music as his primary source of income, Elfman has composed scores for more than 100 feature films, working on iconic projects like "Batman," "Edward Scissorhands," and "Big Fish." As the lead singer and songwriter for Oingo Boingo, Elfman made his mark in rock music, and he also created theme music and scored episodes for TV shows such as "The Simpsons" and "Desperate Housewives." He has performed at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall, to supplement his income. Most recently, the album "Big Mess," released in 2021, has contributed to Elfman's earnings.

Danny Elfman attends Build Presents to discuss
Danny Elfman attends Build Presents to discuss "Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas" | Getty Images | Photo by Santiago Felipe

Danny Elfman's salary

Danny Elfman's remarkable career in film scoring has earned him generous compensation, with scoring fees reaching as high as $2 million per project.

Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo performing at the US Festival by Steve Wozniak circa 1983 | Getty Images | Photo by Images Press
Danny Elfman of Oingo Boingo performing at the US Festival by Steve Wozniak circa 1983 | Getty Images | Photo by Images Press

Danny Elfman's real estate and other assets

Danny Elfman has made significant real estate investments over the years. In 2000, he purchased a Hancock Park home in Los Angeles for $2.13 million, investing approximately $3 million in renovations. In 2015, he acquired the adjacent property for $3.6 million. The combined estate was listed for $14.6 million in 2020, with the larger home priced at $8.8 million and the smaller one at $5.8 million, and both were sold separately. In 2021, Elfman and his wife acquired two neighboring homes in Encino, California, spread over 2.2 acres. They also own a ranch in Santa Barbara, which Elfman bought in the mid-1990s.

Danny Elfman's social media following

Instagram 252,000 Followers
Facebook 290,000 Followers 
Twitter 34,500 Followers
Danny Elfman speaks onstage at the 2016 Los Angeles Film Festival Awards Ceremony | Getty Images | Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez
Danny Elfman speaks onstage at the 2016 Los Angeles Film Festival Awards Ceremony | Getty Images | Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez

Personal life

Danny Elfman, born Daniel Robert Elfman on May 29, 1953, in Los Angeles, California, grew up in a creative and diverse environment. His brother Richard is also an actor, journalist, and musician. As a teenager, Danny dated Kim Gordon, who would later become the lead vocalist, guitarist, and bassist of the influential band Sonic Youth. He married Geri Eisenmenger and had two daughters, Lola and Mali, with her. After his divorce from Eisenmenger, Elfman married actress Bridget Fonda on November 29, 2003, and they welcomed a son named Oliver on January 21, 2005. Elfman has been open about his atheism, which he embraced at a relatively young age, around 11 or 12 years old.



 

Awards and recognition

Danny Elfman has received critical acclaim and earned four Academy Award nominations for his exceptional contributions to films like "Good Will Hunting," "Men in Black," "Big Fish," and "Milk." His achievements also extend to television, with three Primetime Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music for "Desperate Housewives." He has been nominated for 15 Saturn Awards, clinching awards for projects like "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Mars Attacks!," "Men in Black," "Sleepy Hollow," "Spider-Man," and "Frankenweenie." Elfman's impressive haul includes 13 Grammy nominations, as well as a win for the "Batman Theme." He was honored with the Online Film & Television Association Film Hall of Fame induction in 1999.

FAQs

Who provided the singing voice for Jack Skellington in "The Nightmare Before Christmas"?

Danny Elfman provided the singing voice for Jack Skellington in the film.

Who has Danny Elfman frequently collaborated with, creating memorable scores for the "Spider-Man" franchise?

Danny Elfman has frequently collaborated with director Sam Raimi, creating memorable scores for the "Spider-Man" franchise.

What was Danny Elfman's role before becoming a film composer?

Before becoming a film composer, Danny Elfman was the lead singer and songwriter for the band Oingo Boingo.

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