Profile Text
Schifrin in 2018, photo by kathclick /Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Boris Claudio Schifrin
Date of Birth: 21 June, 1932
Place of Birth: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Date of Death: June 26, 2025
Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish (at least three quarters)
Lalo Schifrin was an Argentine-American pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor. He was known for composing action films and television shows of the ’60s and ’70s, in particular the films Cool Hand Luke , Dirty Harry , and Enter the Dragon , and the show Mission: Impossible ‘s famous theme. He was nominated for six Oscars, and won one honorary Oscar.
His father, Luis (Eliezer) Schifrin, was a Jewish emigrant, from Zembin, Belarus, and led the second violin section of the Buenos Aires Philharmonic at the Teatro Colón, the main opera house in Buenos Aires, for three decades. His mother, Clara (Slifquin), was from a Jewish and Catholic family. The nickname “Lalo” is a diminutive of his middle name Claudio.
Lalo moved to Los Angeles, California, U.S. in 1963, and became a U.S. citizen in 1969. He was married to his manager, Donna Cockrell, until his death. He had two children with his former wife Sylvia Schon; and a son with Donna.
Lalo’s paternal grandfather was named Bercha/Bernardo Schifrin (the son of Laishke Layzer/Lazer Shifrin and Hannah). Bercha was born in Zembin. Laishke was the son of Zalman Shifrin Salomon and Sarah.
Lalo’s paternal grandmother was named Flora/Feige H. Libo. Flora was born in Zembin.
Sources: https://jewishjournal.com
Genealogy of Lalo Schifrin (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com