George Fenton: key obituary facts
Is George Fenton dead? Yes. George Fenton died on October 5, 2026, at age 76.
Cause of death: George Fenton's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was George Fenton known for?
He was a British film composer (born 1949).
More about George Fenton
Born: 19 October 1949.
Place of birth: Bromley.
Gender: male.
Occupation: actor, composer, music educator, film editor, film score composer, conductor, musician, bandleader.
Nationality: United Kingdom.
Education: St Edward's School.
Employer: Royal College of Music.
Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score), Classic Brit Awards, Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Also known as: George Richard Howe, George Richard Ian Howe.
George Richard Ian Howe Fenton, known professionally as George Fenton, the English composer, died October 5, 2026, aged 76.
Born in Bromley, Kent, he became best known for writing film scores and music for television. His work earned five Academy Award nominations and several Ivor Novello, BAFTA, Golden Globe, Emmy and BMI awards, along with a Classic BRIT.
He was one of 18 songwriters and composers to become a Fellow of the Ivors Academy, formerly BASCA. Fenton frequently collaborated with directors including Richard Attenborough, Nora Ephron, Alastair Fothergill, Stephen Frears, Nicholas Hytner, Ken Loach, Andy Tennant, Neil Jordan and Terry Gilliam. One of five siblings, he attended Carn Brea School and St Edward’s School in Oxford. His musical education began with guitar at age 76; at St Edward’s he studied organ with Peter Whitehouse. He did not attend music college, continuing his studies with Whitehouse and later with ethnomusicologist and composer John Leach. Alongside composing, his listed occupations included conducting, music education, film editing, acting, performing as a musician and bandleading. He was also associated professionally with the Royal College of Music and received the honor of Commander of the Order of the British Empire.