---
name: "Mark Isham"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/mark-isham"
fi1m_id: "mark-isham"
imdb_id: "nm0006142"
tmdb_id: 4140
wikidata_id: "Q528663"
roles: ["Composer"]
born: "7 September 1951"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 14
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_over: 14
updated: "2026-10-23T04:17:00.610340+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."
---

# Mark Isham

## Identity

Mark Isham

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/mark-isham
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** mark-isham
- **IMDb ID:** nm0006142
- **TMDB ID:** 4140
- **Wikidata ID:** Q528663
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Isham, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q528663, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006142/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4140

Composer. Born 7 September 1951 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Composer
- **Born:** 7 September 1951, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1983–present
- **Also known as:** Mark Ware Isham
- **Frequently works with:** [Carroll Ballard](https://film.one/person/carroll-ballard.md), [Jennifer Morrison](https://film.one/person/jennifer-morrison.md), [Moshe Diamant](https://film.one/person/moshe-diamant.md), [Ron Silver](https://film.one/person/ron-silver.md), [Terry Kinney](https://film.one/person/terry-kinney.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 79 (1), 1990s 78 (6), 2000s 59 (3), 2010s 75 (3), 2020s 80 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 69 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Genres:** Drama 11, Action 5, Thriller 3, Crime 2, History 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2
- **Screen time:** 25 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $699m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Isham, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q528663, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006142/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4140

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Warrior*](https://film.one/film/warrior.md) (80), [*Timecop*](https://film.one/film/timecop.md) (64), [*Crash*](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md) (54)
- **Disney+:** [*Save the Last Dance*](https://film.one/film/save-the-last-dance.md) (66), [*Once Upon a Time*](https://film.one/tv/once-upon-a-time.md) (65)
- **AMC+:** [*Point Break*](https://film.one/film/point-break.md) (82)
- **Netflix:** [*Black Mirror*](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md) (81)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Never Cry Wolf*](https://film.one/film/never-cry-wolf.md) (79)

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

## Biography

Mark Isham is an American composer, trumpeter and keyboardist. Born on 7 September 1951 in New York City, he has worked across jazz, electronic and film music since the early 1980s.

He has composed scores for more than 200 films and television productions. Notable credits include *Crash* (2005), *A River Runs Through It* (1992), *Blade* (1998), *The Mist* (2007), *Warrior* (2011) and the *Black Mirror* episode 'Arkangel' (2017). He also scored episodes of *Once Upon a Time*.

Isham received an Academy Award nomination for *A River Runs Through It* and a Golden Globe nomination for *Nell* (1994). He has won a Grammy Award for Best New Age Album and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for *EZ Streets*.

*Sources: imdb.com, allmusic.com, filmmusicreporter.com, en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (14)

- *Judas and the Black Messiah* (2021), Fi1m 80, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/judas-and-the-black-messiah.md)
- *Black Mirror* (2011), Fi1m 81, Music — [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Once Upon a Time* (2011), Fi1m 65, Music — [page](https://film.one/tv/once-upon-a-time.md)
- *Warrior* (2011), Fi1m 80, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/warrior.md)
- *The Black Dahlia* (2006), Fi1m 56, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-dahlia.md)
- *Crash* (2005), Fi1m 54, Music Arranger, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *Save the Last Dance* (2001), Fi1m 66, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/save-the-last-dance.md)
- *Blade* (1998), Fi1m 76, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/blade.md)
- *Quiz Show* (1994), Fi1m 84, Original Music Composer, Music, Musician — [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *Timecop* (1994), Fi1m 64, Music, Original Music Composer — [page](https://film.one/film/timecop.md)
- *Short Cuts* (1993), Fi1m 84, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/short-cuts.md)
- *Point Break* (1991), Fi1m 82, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/point-break.md)
- *Reversal of Fortune* (1990), Fi1m 75, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/reversal-of-fortune.md)
- *Never Cry Wolf* (1983), Fi1m 79, Original Music Composer, Music — [page](https://film.one/film/never-cry-wolf.md)

## Complete filmography (164)

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

- *The Westies* (2026), series, Original Music Composer
- *Miracle: The Boys of '80* (2026), Original Music Composer
- *Soul on Fire* (2025), Original Music Composer
- *Hotel Cocaine* (2024), series, Original Music Composer
- *Messi's World Cup: The Rise of a Legend* (2024), series, Original Music Composer
- *Shooting Stars* (2023), Original Music Composer
- *The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent* (2022), Original Music Composer
- *Blacklight* (2022), Original Music Composer
- *The Cleaning Lady* (2022), series, Original Music Composer
- *Needle in a Timestack* (2021), Original Music Composer
- *Brilliant Trees Sessions* (2021), Actor
- *Sex/Life* (2021), series, Original Music Composer
- *The Nevers* (2021), series, Original Music Composer
- *Judas and the Black Messiah* (2021), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/judas-and-the-black-messiah.md)
- *Honest Thief* (2020), Original Music Composer
- *Bill & Ted Face the Music* (2020), Original Music Composer
- *Little Fires Everywhere* (2020), series, Original Music Composer
- *Togo* (2019), Original Music Composer
- *Godfather of Harlem* (2019), series, Original Music Composer
- *See You Soon* (2019), Original Music Composer
- *A Dog's Journey* (2019), Original Music Composer
- *Bolden* (2019), Original Music Composer
- *Marvel's Cloak & Dagger* (2018), series, Original Music Composer
- *Duck Duck Goose* (2018), Original Music Composer
- *Instrument of War* (2017), Original Music Composer
- *Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams* (2017), series, Original Music Composer
- *Sun Dogs* (2017), Original Music Composer
- *Megan Leavey* (2017), Original Music Composer
- *Dirty Dancing* (2017), Original Music Composer
- *Fallen* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *The Accountant* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *Mr. Church* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *A Family Man* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *Mechanic: Resurrection* (2016), Original Music Composer
- *Papa Hemingway in Cuba* (2015), Original Music Composer
- *The Great Gilly Hopkins* (2015), Original Music Composer
- *Septembers of Shiraz* (2015), Original Music Composer
- *The Longest Ride* (2015), Original Music Composer
- *Beyond the Lights* (2014), Original Music Composer
- *Mob City* (2013), series, Original Music Composer
- *Homefront* (2013), Original Music Composer
- *The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete* (2013), Original Music Composer
- *42* (2013), Original Music Composer
- *The Factory* (2012), Original Music Composer
- *Stolen* (2012), Original Music Composer
- *The Lucky One* (2012), Original Music Composer
- *Black Mirror* (2011), series, Original Music Composer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Once Upon a Time* (2011), series, Original Music Composer — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/once-upon-a-time.md)
- *Dolphin Tale* (2011), Original Music Composer
- *Warrior* (2011), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/warrior.md)
- *The Conspirator* (2011), Original Music Composer
- *The Mechanic* (2011), Original Music Composer
- *The Crazies* (2010), Original Music Composer
- *Fame* (2009), Original Music Composer
- *Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans* (2009), Original Music Composer
- *Not Forgotten* (2009), Original Music Composer
- *My One and Only* (2009), Original Music Composer
- *Crossing Over* (2009), Original Music Composer
- *The Express* (2008), Original Music Composer
- *The Secret Life of Bees* (2008), Original Music Composer
- *The Women* (2008), Original Music Composer
- *Pride and Glory* (2008), Original Music Composer
- *When Darkness Came: The Making of 'The Mist'* (2008), Original Music Composer
- *The Mist* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *Lions for Lambs* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *In the Valley of Elah* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *Reservation Road* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *Gracie* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *Next* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *The Black Donnellys* (2007), series, Original Music Composer
- *Freedom Writers* (2007), Original Music Composer
- *The Black Dahlia* (2006), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/the-black-dahlia.md)
- *Bobby* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *Invincible* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *Running Scared: Through the Looking Glass* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *Eight Below* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *Running Scared* (2006), Original Music Composer
- *In Her Shoes* (2005), Original Music Composer
- *Kicking & Screaming* (2005), Original Music Composer
- *Crash* (2005), Original Music Composer, Music Arranger — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *Racing Stripes* (2005), Original Music Composer
- *Spartan* (2004), Original Music Composer
- *Twisted* (2004), Original Music Composer
- *Highwaymen* (2004), Original Music Composer
- *Miracle* (2004), Original Music Composer
- *The Cooler* (2003), Original Music Composer
- *The Hitcher: How Do These Movies Get Made?* (2003), Original Music Composer
- *Moonlight Mile* (2002), Original Music Composer
- *The Majestic* (2001), Original Music Composer
- *Impostor* (2001), Original Music Composer
- *Life as a House* (2001), Original Music Composer
- *Don't Say a Word* (2001), Original Music Composer
- *Hardball* (2001), Original Music Composer
- *Save the Last Dance* (2001), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/save-the-last-dance.md)
- *Men of Honor* (2000), Original Music Composer
- *Trixie* (2000), Original Music Composer
- *Where the Money Is* (2000), Original Music Composer
- *Rules of Engagement* (2000), Original Music Composer
- *IMAX: Galapagos 3D* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *Body Shots* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *October Sky* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *Breakfast of Champions* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *Varsity Blues* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *At First Sight* (1999), Original Music Composer
- *The Blood Tide* (1998), Original Music Composer
- *Free Money* (1998), Original Music Composer
- *The Defenders: Taking the First* (1998), Original Music Composer
- *Blade* (1998), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/blade.md)
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, Original Music Composer
- *The Gingerbread Man* (1998), Original Music Composer
- *The Defenders: Choice of Evils* (1998), Music
- *Afterglow* (1997), Original Music Composer
- *The Education of Little Tree* (1997), Original Music Composer
- *The Defenders: Payback* (1997), Original Music Composer
- *Kiss the Girls* (1997), Original Music Composer
- *Night Falls on Manhattan* (1997), Original Music Composer
- *Fly Away Home* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *Gotti* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *Last Dance* (1996), Original Music Composer
- *Home for the Holidays* (1995), Original Music Composer
- *The Net* (1995), Original Music Composer
- *Losing Isaiah* (1995), Original Music Composer
- *Miami Rhapsody* (1995), Original Music Composer
- *Nell* (1994), Original Music Composer
- *Safe Passage* (1994), Original Music Composer
- *Timecop* (1994), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/timecop.md)
- *Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle* (1994), Original Music Composer
- *Quiz Show* (1994), Original Music Composer, Musician — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *The Browning Version* (1994), Original Music Composer
- *The Getaway* (1994), Original Music Composer
- *De fyras gäng* (1993), Original Music Composer
- *Short Cuts* (1993), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/short-cuts.md)
- *Romeo Is Bleeding* (1993), Original Music Composer
- *Fire in the Sky* (1993), Original Music Composer
- *Nowhere to Run* (1993), Original Music Composer
- *Made in America* (1993), Original Music Composer
- *The Public Eye* (1992), Original Music Composer
- *A River Runs Through It* (1992), Original Music Composer, Music Producer
- *Of Mice and Men* (1992), Original Music Composer
- *Cool World* (1992), Original Music Composer
- *Sketch Artist* (1992), Original Music Composer
- *A Midnight Clear* (1992), Original Music Composer
- *Billy Bathgate* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Little Man Tate* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Crooked Hearts* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Point Break* (1991), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/point-break.md)
- *Mortal Thoughts* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Kim's War* (1991), Original Music Composer
- *Reversal of Fortune* (1990), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/reversal-of-fortune.md)
- *Love at Large* (1990), Original Music Composer
- *Everybody Wins* (1990), Original Music Composer
- *The Beast of War* (1988), Original Music Composer
- *The Moderns* (1988), Original Music Composer
- *Windham Hill: Tibet* (1988), Original Music Composer
- *Made in Heaven* (1987), as Zeus - Keyboards · Original Music Composer
- *Rabbit Ears - The Steadfast Tin Soldier* (1986), Music
- *The Hitcher* (1986), Original Music Composer
- *Trouble in Mind* (1985), Original Music Composer
- *Mrs. Soffel* (1984), Original Music Composer
- *The Times of Harvey Milk* (1984), Original Music Composer
- *Windham Hill: Western Light* (1984), Original Music Composer
- *Never Cry Wolf* (1983), Original Music Composer — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/never-cry-wolf.md)
- *An Unsuitable Job for a Woman* (1982), Original Music Composer
- *Hal*, Original Music Composer

## Gallery

- ![Mark Isham](https://film.one/media/person/46802/gallery-5756492b7ee6.jpg) Mark Isham — Image via TMDB
- ![Mark Isham](https://film.one/media/person/46802/gallery-f43e8d9b3d03.jpg) Mark Isham — Image via TMDB
- ![Mark Isham](https://film.one/media/person/46802/gallery-b73cd2e0320d.jpg) Mark Isham — Image via TMDB
- ![Mark Isham](https://film.one/media/person/46802/gallery-244e1c103ad7.jpg) Mark Isham — Image via TMDB
- ![Mark Isham](https://film.one/media/person/46802/gallery-00d06d058727.jpg) Mark Isham — Image via TMDB
- ![Mark Isham](https://film.one/media/person/46802/gallery-ffdb01a13ecc.jpg) Mark Isham — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1993: Best Original Score (nominated), for *A River Runs Through It*

*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/mark-isham