Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy-winning composer Atticus Ross was celebrated with the BMI Icon Award during the 2025 BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Awards held Wednesday night in Beverly Hills. The prestigious recognition was presented “in recognition of his exceptional body of work,” placing Ross among the elite ranks of past honorees like John Williams, Alexandre Desplat, and Terence Blanchard.
A Legacy of Sound Innovation
Ross, renowned for his collaborations with Nine Inch Nails bandmate Trent Reznor, has redefined cinematic music through bold, emotionally resonant scores. His acclaimed film credits include:
- The Social Network
- The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
- Gone Girl
- Soul
- Mank
- Empire of Light
- Challengers
On television, Ross’s musical fingerprint can be heard in Watchmen, The Vietnam War, and Shogun.
Celebrated by Peers and Legends
BMI President and CEO Mike O’Neill described Ross as a “rock pioneer and a legend,” praising his groundbreaking approach to composition. “His innovative spirit and passion have re-engineered the way we experience storytelling,” O’Neill said.
In a heartfelt video tribute, Trent Reznor hailed Ross as part of the “truest, longest friendship of my life.” Notable directors including David Fincher, Allen Hughes, Fisher Stevens, Pete Docter, Luca Guadagnino, and Sam Mendes also praised Ross’s artistic contributions. TV heavyweights Damon Lindelof (Watchmen) and Justin Marks (Shogun) joined in the tribute.
Ross: ‘This Is My Dream’
Accepting the award, Ross reflected on his career with gratitude. “This never feels like a job; this is my dream,” he said. He emphasized the artistic integrity of scoring films, calling it “a place for self-expression” where “there aren’t any rules.”
Looking Ahead: Nine Inch Nails Return
Ross was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020 alongside Nine Inch Nails. The band is set to embark on a sold-out global arena tour later this year. Fans can also anticipate their upcoming score for Disney’s Tron sequel Ares, set for release in October.
Other Honorees of the Evening
The night also celebrated composers of the year’s most-watched and highest-grossing media. Among the highlights:
- Mike Post earned his 60th and 61st BMI awards for Law & Order and SVU.
- Atli Örvarsson won a record-breaking seven awards, credited for work on CBS’s FBI series, NBC’s Chicago franchise, and Apple TV+’s Silo.
Other multiple-award recipients included:
- Fil Eisler (Outer Banks, Fire Country)
- Tom Howe (Knuckles, Shrinking)
- Andrew Lockington (Atlas, Landman)
- Blake Neely (The Bloody Hundredth, Masters of the Air)
- Julia Newman (Doctor Odyssey, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story)
- Carlos Rafael Rivera (Hacks, Griselda)
- Tyler Strickland (Selena & Yolanda, Face to Face with Scott Peterson)
Presenters and Hosts
The event was hosted by Mike O’Neill, Tracy McKnight (VP of Creative, Film, TV & Visual Media), and Mike Steinberg (EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer) of BMI.
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