Danny Elfman is a composer.
In July 2023 a Rolling Stone investigation revealed that in 2017 composer Danny Elfman entered a settlement and non-disclosure agreement with a former mentee in a sexual harrassment lawsuit over offenses allegedly committed by Elfman in 2016. In 2024 Rolling Stone reported that his accuser sued for defamation for statements made by Elfman in the initial Rolling Stone investigation, and the previous year had filed a breach of contract lawsuit involving missed payments, which were to reach $830000. The suit is ongoing. Courthouse News revealed that a different woman sued Elfman for sexual assault accusations in 2023. Elfman responded by filing suit against the accuser’s law firm for wrongful prosecution. Although Elfman is known primarily for his work in film and television, his concert works have been commissioned and premiered by American Composers Orchestra, American Ballet Theatre, Vienna Symphony, London Philharmonic Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Third Coast Percussion, and the Library of Congress among others. He continues to work prolifically as of 2026.
Affiliations
NB: To give a more complete picture of a person's impact on the field, we endeavor to list prominent, long-held, and current affiliations regardless of when any alleged incidents occurred.
Articles
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Millman, Ethan (July 20, 2023). Danny Elfman Settled a Sexual-Harassment Allegation for $830,000. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023.
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The Violin Channel (July 28, 2023). Composer Danny Elfman Sued by Nomi Abadi Following Alleged Breach of Contract in Sexual Misconduct Settlement. The Violin Channel. Archived from the original on July 20, 2025.
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Millman, Ethan (July 10, 2024). Danny Elfman Sexual Misconduct Accuser Sues Film Composer for Defamation. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024.
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Dillon, Nancy (January 7, 2025). Danny Elfman Loses Bid to End Defamation Lawsuit from Sexual Harassment Accuser. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 8, 2025.
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Aron, Hillel (January 27, 2026). Law firm must face music over sexual assault suit against composer Danny Elfman. Courthouse News Service. Archived from the original on February 18, 2026.