RIP Alf Clausen. Longtime Simpsons Composer Dies At Age 84.

Alf Clausen

Emmy award-winning composer Alf Clausen, who worked on the show from season 2 to season 28, died yesterday, May 29, 2025, after a decade-long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). He was 84.

Clausen took over composing for the show from Richard Gibbs, who composed the music for season 1. He then served as the composer up until the end of season 28, where he was let go from the show due to the producers wanting a different direction for music going forward, issues with Clausen outsourcing compositions to other people, including his son, and to save on costs. After he left the show, he was credited as composer emeritus up until season 32. However, Clausen then started legal action against the show, claiming he was fired because of his age. The suit got dropped in January 2022.

Clausen’s music has still been used since he left the show, with his most recent credit being “The Flandshees of Innersimpson” in season 36.