Charles Henry Gross

Charles "Charlie" Gross, 91, Emmy Award-winning composer and devoted philanthropist, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026.

Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Charlie graduated from Harvard in 1955, and pursued musical study at the New England Conservatory and at Mills College. Charlie composed extensively for film, television, and theater, building a distinguished career marked by both critical acclaim and popular success. He received an Emmy Award for his score to Rodeo Red. His score for Heartland earned a Wrangler Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. His work also includes music for films such as Country, Turner & Hooch, Punchline, Air America and a Family Thing.

For television, Charlie composed the highly regarded score for The Dain Curse and wrote music for series including NYPD, Call to Glory, Nurse, and A Rumor of War. He also contributed to numerous television films, including the widely recognized The Burning Bed, starring Farrah Fawcett.

Most meaningful beyond professional accomplishments, was the philanthropic work he shared with his wife, Joan DuBrow Gross through the Charles & Joan Gross Family Foundation, dedicated to supporting dance through the commissioning of new musical scores and choreography. The foundation reflects the union of their lifelong passions-Charlie's as a composer and Joan's as a dancer-and has supported more than 100 commissions for dance companies across the country.

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Joan DuBrow Gross; his daughter and son-in-law, Emily Gross O'Neil and Doug Hatfield; his brother and sister-in-law, John and Ila Gross; his three grandchildren, Chloe, Lila, and Caden; and nephews, grand-nieces, and a grand-nephew.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charles Gross Scholarship Fund at the New England Conservatory of Music.