Who Is Bernard Herrmann? Age, Biography and Wiki
Bernard Herrmann was born on June 29, 1911, in New York City. Often celebrated for his innovative compositions, Herrmann has left an indelible mark on the film score industry with his collaborations with renowned directors such as Alfred Hitchcock. His haunting melodies and unique orchestration techniques revolutionized film music, and his legacy continues to influence modern composers. Herrmann passed away on December 24, 1975, but his impact on cinematic scoring remains timeless. Today, in 2025, he would have been 114 years old.
| Occupation | Conductor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 29, 1911 |
| Age | 64 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 24 December, 1975 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Bernard Herrmann's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific height and weight details about Bernard Herrmann are not widely documented, it is noted that he had a commanding presence, and his personality was just as striking as his musical talent. His physical measurements remain largely irrelevant compared to his extraordinary contributions to music and film.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Bernard Herrmann's personal life was as tumultuous and striking as his compositions. He was married multiple times throughout his life. His most notable relationships include his marriage to former actress and screenwriter, Dorothy Herrmann. They tied the knot in 1941, but the couple had a tumultuous relationship that ended in divorce in 1947. Herrmann’s complex love life also included significant relationships that influenced his artistic expression. However, as a private individual, specific details regarding other relationships remain less documented.
He was the son of Ida (Gorenstein) and Abram Dardik, who was from Ukraine and had changed the family name. Herrmann attended DeWitt Clinton High School, an all-boys public school at that time on 10th Avenue and 59th Street in New York City. His father encouraged music activity, taking him to the opera, and encouraging him to learn the violin.
After winning a composition prize at the age of thirteen, he decided to concentrate on music, and went to New York University, where he studied with Percy Grainger and Philip James. He also studied at the Juilliard School, and at the age of 20, formed his own orchestra, the New Chamber Orchestra of New York.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, with inflation and posthumous recognition of his works, Bernard Herrmann's net worth is estimated to be in the millions. While exact salary figures are not available, his compositions for iconic films have generated substantial royalties over time. Herrmann’s work on classics such as "Psycho," "Vertigo," and "Citizen Kane" not only brought him critical acclaim but also financial success.
Career, Business and Investments
Bernard Herrmann's career began in the realm of classical music before transitioning into film scoring. His partnership with Alfred Hitchcock broadened the horizons of film music, where he created some of the most memorable soundtracks in cinematic history. Herrmann also worked with various other directors and on multiple genres, showcasing his versatility as a composer.
Beyond film scores, Herrmann was involved in conducting orchestras and composing concert works. His works are frequently performed in concert halls today, and his influence can be seen in the works of contemporary film composers, ensuring that his legacy lives on.
Hitchcock listened to only the prelude of the score, then confronted Herrmann about the pop score. Herrmann, equally incensed, bellowed "Look, Hitch, you can't outjump your own shadow. And you don't make pop pictures. What do you want with me?
I don't write pop music." Hitchcock unrelentingly insisted that Herrmann change the score, violating Herrmann's general claim to the creative control he had always maintained in their previous works together. Herrmann then said "Hitch, what's the use of my doing more with you?
I had a career before you, and I will afterwards." The score was rejected and replaced with one by John Addison.
Social Network
Although Herrmann passed away well before the age of social media, his music remains prevalent in contemporary platforms. Many fan pages, music discussion forums, and social media groups celebrate his contributions to film and music. Today, his works are available on various streaming platforms and continue to inspire new generations of musicians and composers.
An Academy Award-winner for The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941), Herrmann worked in radio drama, composing for Orson Welles's The Mercury Theater on the Air, and his first film score was for Welles's film debut, Citizen Kane (1941).
He is known for his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, notably The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) (where he makes a cameo as the conductor at Royal Albert Hall), Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960), The Birds (1963) (as "sound consultant") and Marnie (1964).
His other credits include Jane Eyre (1943), Anna and the King of Siam (1946), The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), Cape Fear (1962), Fahrenheit 451 (1966) and Twisted Nerve (1968).
Herrmann scored films that were inspired by Hitchcock, like François Truffaut's The Bride Wore Black (1968) and Brian De Palma's Sisters (1972) and Obsession (1976). He composed the scores for several fantasy films by Ray Harryhausen, and composed for television, including Have Gun – Will Travel and Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone.
His last score, recorded shortly before his death, was for Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver (1976).
Education
Bernard Herrmann studied at the New York University and the Juilliard School, where he honed his skills in music composition and orchestration. His strong educational foundation, combined with his innovative spirit, set the stage for a prolific career in the film industry.
