Grammy-winning music icon Ian Freebairn-Smith has died aged 93 as tributes pour in
The award-winning musician, known for his work on shows like Airwolf, Fame, and Cagney & Lacey, gas sadly passed away
Ian Freebairn-Smith has passed away at the age of 93, according to Variety. The Grammy-winning composer was most famous for creating musical scores for television series including Airwolf, Fame, and Cagney & Lacey.
He also secured a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist for "Evergreen," which Barbra Streisand performed in A Star Is Born.
The American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers honored Ian with a heartfelt statement, in which Gayle Levant expressed: "Grammy Award winner composer/arranger Ian Freebairn-Smith has left us. The news emerges as Bad Bunny's music streams soar after Super Bowl halftime show announcement.
"With his passing on 7 Oct 2025, once again we have lost another gentle giant in our industry.
"His career began in music as a group singer/arranger. In the early 1960's, he was part of the group of session singers who sang on the themes for many classic TV shows like Flipper, Batman, and Gilligan's Island, and was the solo singing voice of Ray Walston in the movie Kiss Me Stupid starring Dean Martin. From there he moved into orchestral and choral arranging and composing for motion pictures." ,reports the Express.
They continued:
"Ian was an active Board member with ASMAC and narrated the first Golden Score video for them. He was a personal friend over the decades and we shared many wonderful sessions working together, along with fantastic dinners laughing and telling stories about the "good-old-days!
"Ian was a total class act. With his loss, we are reminded once again of the "Golden Years" of the music of Hollywood.
"Thank you, dear Ian, for the privilege of knowing you and the joy of your glorious music."
The talented musician was born in the Seattle area on March 4, 1932, before relocating to Los Angeles with his family when he was just two years old.
Throughout a remarkable career that stretched over five decades, Ian left his mark on film, television, and commercial music.
His distinctive voice became synonymous with some of TV's most iconic theme songs, including "Batman, Flipper, and Gilligan's Island."
Ian leaves behind his brother Rod and four daughters - Leslie, Alison, Jenifer, and Vanessa.