'Titanic' soundtrack composer dies in plane crash at 61

joan

June 23, 2015 10:35 AM

Horner's death was later confirmed by his assistant Sylvia Patrycja in a post on Facebook on June 22

James Horner

The man who composed the famous soundtrack – My Heart Will Go On – in the movie 'Tatanic' has died at the age of 61.

James Horner passed away in a plane crash in North Ventura County on Monday June 22. His death was later confirmed by his assistant Sylvia Patrycja in a post on Facebook writing, ''A great tragedy has struck my family today, and I will not be around for a while. I would like some privacy and time to heal. We have lost an amazing person with a huge heart, and unbelievable talent. He died doing what he loved. Thank you for all your support and love and see you down the road. Love Sylvia.''

Horner's attorney Jay Cooper told NBC that the acclaimed composer owned five aircraft, including two helicopters. Cooper added that Horner was an "experienced" pilot. "I used to fly when I was younger. I never had a mentor, it was all self-induced. I grew up around air shows and air planes,'' Horner said in a 2010 interview.

Horner won two Oscars for his work on Titanic, one for Best Original Score and the other for Best Song, having written the music for the Celine Dion hit "My Heart With Go On."

Horner also received seven other Oscar nominations and is remembered for his work on such beloved classics as Field of Dreams, Legends of the Fall, Braveheart, Aliens, Apollo 13, Jumanji and A Beautiful Mind, among hundreds of others.

Horner was also the go-to composer for director James Cameron, including Avatar, as well as filmmakers RonHoward and Mel Gibson. He had completed scores for several upcoming movies, including Southpaw, starring JakeGyllenhaal, and The 33 with Antonio Banderas.