New Zealand-born, Los Angeles-based composer Mark Smythe died Saturday after undergoing a medical emergency on the Mount Wilson hiking trail near Los Angeles. He was 53 years old.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office reported that the cause of death was cardiovascular disease. “Sierra Madre Search and Rescue extends its condolences to the family and friends of the deceased man. We would also like to thank the man’s friends and other hikers who helped today,” the rescue team said in a statement.
Smythe was nominated for an SCL Award and a World Soundtrack Award in 2023 for his music for Hulu’s “The Reef: Stalked.” His other songwriting credits include the horror film “The Possessed,” the romantic comedy “Love You Like That,” the horror film “Boar,” and the war adventure “Unfallen.” He was selected as a Composer Fellow for the 2024 Choral Arts Initiative Premier|Project Festival, which included the premiere of “Song of the Sea – Part I” for chorus and electric guitar.
He also served as COO of the Composers and Lyricists Association for several years. Smythe was a frequent participant and guest at Night Temple, a community of composers who performed monthly. The next performance Saturday night will be held in his honor.
Composer Bear McCleary paid tribute to Smythe on Facebook, writing, “I am devastated to hear of the shocking and untimely passing of Mark Smythe. He was a prominent figure in the Los Angeles film music community, especially the Composers and Lyricists Association. and a talented composer in his own right. Mark’s enthusiasm and humor were extraordinary. He even brought a shark in a bow tie to the red carpet at the SCL Awards when he was nominated for his work in film.” Shark movies – so interesting! When he found out I was writing a metal album, he handpicked his favorite German folk metal bands for me (and introduced me to his favorite band, Finsterforst).
Smythe has played in several rock bands in New Zealand and holds a master’s degree in film composition from the Australian School of Film, Television and Radio. He taught media composition at California State University, Northridge and served as chair of the visual media composition department at the Los Angeles College of Music.
