James Newton Howard, born June 9, 1951, is an acclaimed American film composer and music producer known for his versatile and emotive scores. With a career spanning over 100 films, he has received a Grammy, an Emmy, and nine Academy Award nominations. His notable works include scores for Pretty Woman, The Fugitive, The Village, King Kong, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight alongside Hans Zimmer, as well as the Fantastic Beasts series and Raya and the Last Dragon. Howard is recognized for his longstanding collaborations with directors M Night Shyamalan and Francis Lawrence, as well as his work with a wide range of other prominent filmmakers.