---
name: "David Foster"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-foster-62053"
fi1m_id: "david-foster-62053"
imdb_id: "nm0287757"
tmdb_id: 62053
wikidata_id: "Q77112"
roles: ["Composer"]
born: "1 November 1949"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 3
average_over: 1
updated: "2026-10-04T20:04:46.577773+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# David Foster

## Identity

David Foster

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-foster-62053
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-foster-62053
- **IMDb ID:** nm0287757
- **TMDB ID:** 62053
- **Wikidata ID:** Q77112
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Foster, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77112, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0287757/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/62053

Composer. Born 1 November 1949 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

## Details

- **Work:** Composer
- **Born:** 1 November 1949, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- **Active:** 1986–1992
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 3: 1 acting, 1 writing, 1 crew
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 62 (2), 1990s 63 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Foster, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q77112, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0287757/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/62053

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*The Secret of My Success*](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-my-success.md) (62)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

David Foster is a Canadian record producer, composer, arranger and musician. Born in Victoria, British Columbia, he began his career as a keyboardist with the band Skylark in the early 1970s before moving into production and composition.

He is credited with music on the film *The Secret of My Success* (1987), and has contributed to other film scores and soundtracks including *St. Elmo's Fire* (1985) and *The Karate Kid Part II* (1986). Foster has won 16 Grammy Awards. He chaired Verve Records from 2012 to 2016 and composed *Boop! The Musical*, which premiered in 2023 and later debuted on Broadway.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, allmusic.com, grammy.com.*

## On Fi1m (3)

### Performed in (1)

- *The Bodyguard* (1992), Fi1m 63, as Oscar Conductor — [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md)

### Wrote (1)

- *The Karate Kid Part II* (1986), Fi1m 62, Lyricist — [page](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii.md)

### Crew (1) — the average rests on these

- *The Secret of My Success* (1987), Fi1m 62, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-my-success.md)

## Complete filmography (22)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Christmas with Andrea Bocelli & Friends: A Grammy Holiday Special* (2024), Actor
- *Letting Go* (2012), as Mogul
- *Seal: Soundstage* (2009), as Piano and Director
- *Heart of a Dragon* (2008), Original Music Composer, Executive Producer
- *Celebrity Duets* (2006), series, Actor
- *Soundstage* (2003), series, Actor
- *Push, Nevada* (2002), series, Actor
- *Popstars (US)* (2001), series, Actor
- *Popstars* (2001), series, Actor
- *Quest for Camelot* (1998), as Songs
- *The Bodyguard* (1992), as Oscar Conductor — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-bodyguard.md)
- *One Good Cop* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *If Looks Could Kill* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Baywatch* (1989), series, Original Music Composer
- *Fresh Horses* (1988), Original Music Composer
- *Stealing Home* (1988), Original Music Composer
- *The Secret of My Success* (1987), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-my-success.md)
- *The Karate Kid Part II* (1986), Lyricist — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-karate-kid-part-ii.md)
- *St. Elmo's Fire* (1985), Original Music Composer
- *Lipstick* (1976), Music Arranger
- *Rock-a-Die Baby* (1975), as David
- *Twilight: The Story of Hope*, Original Music Composer

## Gallery

- ![David Foster](https://film.one/media/person/3349138/gallery-dc18a9143c5c.jpg) David Foster — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/David_Foster_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-David_Foster_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Foster on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to G](https://film.one/media/person/3349138/gallery-17af27776c84.jpg) David Foster on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to G — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/David_Foster_%2851936646706%29.jpg/1280px-David_Foster_%2851936646706%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Foster on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to G](https://film.one/media/person/3349138/gallery-65df8886bda2.jpg) David Foster on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to G — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/David_Foster_%2851935657762%29.jpg/1280px-David_Foster_%2851935657762%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Foster and Katharine McPhee on the red carpet at 2024 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona. Please att](https://film.one/media/person/3349138/gallery-7a328953c0f2.jpg) David Foster and Katharine McPhee on the red carpet at 2024 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona. Please att — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/David_Foster_%26_Katharine_McPhee_%2853694314322%29.jpg/1280px-David_Foster_%26_Katharine_McPhee_%2853694314322%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Foster on the red carpet at Celebrity Fight Night XXIII at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Ski (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/3349138/gallery-c12693c7d415.jpg) David Foster on the red carpet at Celebrity Fight Night XXIII at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Ski (2017) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/David_Foster_%2833400299191%29.jpg/1280px-David_Foster_%2833400299191%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Foster on the red carpet at Celebrity Fight Night XXIII at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Ski (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/3349138/gallery-ea9a28445871.jpg) David Foster on the red carpet at Celebrity Fight Night XXIII at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Ski (2017) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/David_Foster_%2832714460733%29.jpg/1280px-David_Foster_%2832714460733%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 3 nominated

- 1999: Best Original Song (nominated), for *The Prayer*
- 1993: Best Original Song (nominated), for *I Have Nothing*
- 1987: Best Original Song (nominated), for *Glory of Love*

### Golden Globes — 0 won, 2 nominated

- 1987: Best Original Song (nominated), for *The Secret of My Success*
- 1986: Best Original Song (nominated), for *Glory of Love*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2003: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics (won)
- 1997: Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics (nominated)

### Other awards — 24 won, 26 nominated

- Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2013: Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year (nominated), for *Natalie Cole en Español*
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 2012: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 2011: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album 2010: Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (won), for *Crazy Love*
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 2010: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 2009: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album 2007: Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album (won), for *Call Me Irresponsible*
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 2007: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 2006: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Latin Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Album 2006: Latin Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Album (nominated), for *Amore*
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 2005: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Canada's Walk of Fame 2002: Canada's Walk of Fame (won)
- Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award 2002: Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award (won)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1999: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Canadian Music Hall of Fame 1998: Canadian Music Hall of Fame (won)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1997: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Album of the Year 1996: Grammy Award for Album of the Year (won), for *Falling into You*
- Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals 1996: Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals (won)
- Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical 1996: Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (nominated)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1996: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1995: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical 1994: Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Album of the Year 1993: Grammy Award for Album of the Year (won), for *The Bodyguard - Original Soundtrack Album*
- Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals 1993: Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals (won)
- Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical 1993: Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (won)
- Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1993: Grammy Award for Record of the Year (won)
- Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year 1992: Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Album of the Year 1991: Grammy Award for Album of the Year (won), for *Unforgettable... with Love*
- Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical 1991: Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (won)
- Grammy Award for Record of the Year 1991: Grammy Award for Record of the Year (won)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1991: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1989: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (nominated)
- Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year 1989: Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year (won)
- Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year 1989: Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year (nominated)
- Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year 1987: Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year (won)
- Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year 1987: Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals 1986: Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals (won), for *Somewhere*
- Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance 1986: Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance (nominated), for *David Foster*
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1986: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (won), for *St. Elmo's Fire*
- Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year 1986: Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year (won)
- Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year 1986: Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance 1985: Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Song 1985: Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (nominated), for *Through the Fire*
- Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award 1985: Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award (won), for *Chicago 17*
- Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year 1985: Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year (nominated)
- Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals 1984: Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals (won)
- Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical 1984: Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (won)
- Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album 1982: Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (won), for *Dreamgirls*
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Song 1979: Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (won), for *After the Love Has Gone*
- Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1979: Grammy Award for Song of the Year (nominated), for *After the Love Has Gone*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/david-foster-62053