Ennio Morricone Cause Of Death: Oscar-Winning Italian Film Composer Dead At 91

Ennio Morricone, the iconic Italian composer who was known for creating music for spaghetti westerns, died at a clinic in Rome, early Monday (July 6). He was aged 91.

Giorgio Assumma, the composer’s attorney, confirmed the news and said Morricone died following complications from a recent fall in which he broke his femur.

Morricone “died at dawn on 6 July in Rome with the comfort of faith. He preserved until the final moment full lucidity and great dignity. He said goodbye to his beloved wife Maria, who accompanied him with dedication in every moment of his human and professional life and was close to him until his final breath, and thanked his children and grandchildren for the love and care they have given him. He gave a touching remembrance to his audience, whose affectionate support always enabled him to draw strength for his creativity,” the attorney said in a statement.

Morricone had produced over 400 original scores for feature films which includes soundtracks for movies such as the Hollywood classic “The Untouchables” and the iconic Spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” He won the Academy Award for the movie " the Hateful Eight."

After the news of his death came out, several of his colleagues and followers took to social media to pay tribute and mourn the loss.

“Where to even begin with iconic composer Ennio Morricone? He could make an average movie into a must see, a good movie into art, and a great movie into legend. He hasn’t been off my stereo my entire life. What a legacy of work he leaves behind. RIP,” British film director Edgar Wright tweeted.

Film composer Hans Zimmer said he was “devastated” by the news.

“Ennio was an icon and icons just don’t go away, icons are forever … his music was always outstanding, and done with great emotional fortitude and great intellectual thought,” The Guardian quoted him as saying.