LOS ANGLES: James Horner, the celebrated composer of the scores of several Hollywood smash-hit films including “Titanic” and “Avatar,” died in a plane crash at the age of 61, US media reported.
Hollywood trade magazine Variety reported the composer died when his private aircraft crashed in Santa Barbara, California.
“Brilliant Composer James Horner, friend & collaborator on 7 movies has tragically died in a plane crash. My heart aches for his loved ones,” wrote director and colleague Ron Howard on Twitter.
Horner won two Oscars for his work on “Titanic” — one for its theme song “My Heart Will Go On,” performed by Celine Dion, and another for the film’s score.
He also won Oscar nominations for the music of numerous other box-office hits, including “Apollo 13,” “Braveheart” and “Field of Dreams.” His first nomination came in 1986 for the sci-fi horror film “Aliens.”
Horner’s most recent Oscar nomination was for another sci-fi epic, James Cameron’s 2009 blockbuster “Avatar.”
With expansive and emotive soundscapes, Horner’s scores carried films to their climax and accompanied top actors as they delivered some of their most moving performances.
Tender kisses in “The Amazing Spider-Man,” grand battles in “Troy” and moments of stirring drama in “A Beautiful Mind” were all set up by Horner’s hand.
American film touchstones of the 1990s such as “Patriot Games,” “Searching for Bobby Fischer” and “Jumanji” were also composed by Horner.
Top actors and directors in the film and television world paid tribute to Horner online.
“Incredibly saddened to hear about the loss of James Horner. I grew up loving his work. He leaves behind a spectacular musical legacy,” television series creator Seth MacFarlane tweeted.
“There is nothing that shaped my movie-going experience more than the musical genius of James Horner. He will live on through the ages,” tweeted actor Rob Lowe.
Actor Ron Perlman, who starred in “Enemy at the Gates,” said he was “lucky to be able to say I was in a movie that was scored by James Horner.”
“Flights of angels dear sweet beautiful mind...,” he wrote on Twitter. Other composers also spoke of Horner’s lasting influence on their careers.
“James Horner, thank you for inspiring a young me to pursue a career in film music. Thank you for your music. Rest in peace.” wrote Steve Jablonsky who composed music for the “Transformers” film series. Horner also scored popular animated films “The Land Before Time” (1988) and “An American Tail: Fievel Goes West” (1991).
He was nominated for an Oscar for the song “Somewhere Out There” in “An American Tail.”
‘Titanic’ music composer Horner dies in air crash
‘Titanic’ music composer Horner dies in air crash
Sydney man jailed for mailing reptiles in popcorn bags
- The eight-year term handed down on Friday was a record for wildlife smuggling, federal environment officials said
SYDNEY: A Sydney man who tried to post native lizards, dragons and other reptiles out of Australia in bags of popcorn and biscuit tins has been sentenced to eight years in jail, authorities said Tuesday.
The eight-year term handed down on Friday was a record for wildlife smuggling, federal environment officials said.
A district court in Sydney gave the man, 61-year-old Neil Simpson, a non-parole period of five years and four months.
Investigators recovered 101 Australian reptiles from seized parcels destined for Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Romania, the officials said in a statement.
The animals — including shingleback lizards, western blue-tongue lizards, bearded dragons and southern pygmy spiny-tailed skinks — were posted in 15 packages between 2018 and 2023.
“Lizards, skinks and dragons were secured in calico bags. These bags were concealed in bags of popcorn, biscuit tins and a women’s handbag and placed inside cardboard boxes,” the statement said.
The smuggler had attempted to get others to post the animals on his behalf but was identified by government investigators and the New South Wales police, it added.
Three other people were convicted for taking part in the crime.
The New South Wales government’s environment department said that “the illegal wildlife trade is not a victimless crime,” harming conservation and stripping the state “and Australia of its unique biodiversity.”
