Dennis McCarthy

An American composer for film and television, Dennis McCarthy earned his widest recognition through extensive contributions to the Star Trek franchise. In 2003 he received an Emmy for the main title theme of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

McCarthy began accumulating television work in the late ’60s, serving as arranger and music director on specials and variety programs that included The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour and Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters. Subsequent scoring assignments encompassed Enos (1980-1981), V (1984-1985), Dynasty (1985-1989), MacGyver (1958-1991), and Star Trek: The Next Generation, for which he supplied music from the 1987 premiere through the series’ entire seven-season run. During that period he also co-produced and co-arranged Ol’ Yellow Eyes Is Back, the 1991 vocal pop album recorded by cast member Brent Spiner.

Those ST: TNG assignments led directly to his composing the score for the 1994 theatrical release Star Trek: Generations and to additional scoring duties on episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999), Star Trek: Voyager (1995-2001), and Star Trek: Enterprise (2001-2005). His music likewise appeared in video games and theme-park attractions connected to the franchise.

Concurrently he scored other television and film projects such as the 1996 feature Utilizer, 1997’s McHale’s Navy, and the series Project Greenlight (2001-2002). Activity remained steady into the 2010s, when he composed the score for the 2011 Jason Priestley television movie Prayer Hour as well as several short films.