The man responsible for scoring 334 episodes and two DVD movies has passed away.

The Stargate franchise has lost an important voice.

Joel Goldsmith, composer of all three Stargate television series (334 episodes) and two DVD movies, passed away on April 29. He was 54.

“I’m utterly heartbroken at the loss of my dear friend and mentor Joel Goldsmith,” said fellow composer and frequent Stargate collaborator Neal Acree. “He was like a second father to me and I feel like I owe much of my career to the opportunities he gave me including my first feature film and first experience scoring television. His influence on my life, both personally and musically, will stay with me always.”

Joel was the son of famed composer Jerry Goldsmith, who passed away in 2004. The two collaborated to create the score for Star Trek: First Contact in 1996.

In 1997 Joel adapted David Arnold’s Stargate theme from the original feature film into the opening title sequence for Stargate SG-1. The composer also created the Emmy-nominated theme to Stargate Atlantis. He was nominated for two other Emmy Awards, including his music for the SG-1 Season One episode “The Nox” and the Atlantis Season Two episode “Grace Under Pressure.”

The cause of death has not been released.

GateWorld interviewed Goldsmith twice for his work for Stargate, during which he shared samples of some select moments from SG-1 and Atlantis. (Links to the interviews can be found below.)

The next episode of the GateWorld Podcast will include a special tribute to Goldsmith. Please call the hotline at 951-262-1647 to share your memories on air, and David and Diana will review them for inclusion into the show.

Visit GateWorld’s Twitter feed today to find sentiments from fans, cast, and crew remembering the life and art of Joel Goldsmith.

UPDATE: Deadline reports the cause of death as cancer. Our thoughts are with Goldsmith’s family and friends at this difficult time.

RELATED LINKS:

October 2009 Interview

November 2006 Interview, Part 1 (Audio available)

November 2006 Interview, Part 2 (Audio available)

Joel’s official Web site

Evolution of the Atlantis Theme