Composer, Jaime Mendoza-Nava dies at 79

May 31, 2005

By Variety Staff

Composer Jaime Mendoza-Nava died May 31 of complications from diabetes in Woodland Hills, Calf. He was 79.

Mendoza-Nava composed music for "The Mickey Mouse Club," "Mr. Magoo" and more than 200 movies.

Born in La Paz, Bolivia, he was a musical prodigy, forming his own orchestra at the age of 11. At 26, he became director of the Bolivian National Symphony Orchestra.

He began working for Walt Disney Studios after he arrived in the U.S. in the early 1950s, where he worked on Disney's TV shows and developed its copywright department.

In 1961, he became music director for animation company UPA, working on "Mr. Magoo" and other shows. He then left to launch his own film post-production company where he contributed music, editing and effects for films from directors such as Ed Wood and Charles B. Pierce.

Among his film composing credits are "Vampire Hookers," "The Brotherhood of Satan," "Orgy of the Dead" and his last film, "Terror in the Swamp" in 1985. The same year, he co-wrote martial arts pic "Los Angeles Streetfighter."

He is survived by his wife Billie, four children, two brothers and four grandchildren.