Justin Hurwitz Biography: Justin Hurwitz born January 22, 1985 is an American film composer and television writer, best known for his ongoing collaboration with director Damien Chazelle. Hurwitz has composed the scores for all of Chazelle’s feature films, including Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (2009), Whiplash (2014), La La Land (2016), First Man (2018), and Babylon (2022).
Justin Hurwitz Biography
Justin Hurwitz was born on January 22, 1985, in Los Angeles, California. He is an accomplished composer, writer, and producer, best known for his work on La La Land (2016), First Man (2018), and Whiplash (2014). A graduate of Harvard University, Hurwitz met longtime friend and creative collaborator Damien Chazelle during his time there.
Justin Hurwitz Biography 2025 Details
| Born | January 22, 1985
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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|---|---|
| Education | Nicolet High School |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, screenwriter |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Justin Hurwitz
Justin Hurwitz is an American film composer and television writer. He is best known for his longtime collaboration with director Damien Chazelle, scoring each of his films: Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, Whiplash, La La Land, First Man, and Babylon.
Justin Hurwitz Achievements
His work on La La Land earned him two Academy Awards—for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“City of Stars”)—as well as Golden Globe Awards in both categories and the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music. He later received additional Golden Globe Awards for Best Original Score for First Man and Babylon.
Justin Hurwitz Personal Life
One of his favorite films is The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964), which he has described as a personal inspiration. He has said that he never misses a chance to see it when it’s shown in theaters. Reflecting on his college years, Hurwitz recalls how he and Chazelle developed a shared commitment to excellence during their sophomore year at Harvard. “We really bonded over this philosophy of working extremely hard and making sacrifices,” he once noted. “We would push each other, even making each other feel guilty for not working hard enough.
Justin Hurwitz Wiki
- Born: 22 January 1985 (age 40 years), Los Angeles, California, United States
- Awards: Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score ·
- Nominations: Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score ·
- Education: Nicolet High School (2003), Harvard University, Currier House
- Parents: Ken Hurwitz, Gail Hurwitz
Early Life and Education
Justin Hurwitz was born to Gail Hurwitz (née Halabe), a former professional ballet dancer who later became a registered nurse, and Ken Hurwitz, a writer. He comes from a Jewish background, with family roots in Russia, Poland, Syria (Damascus), and Lebanon (Beirut). In 1998, his family relocated to Wisconsin, where he attended Nicolet High School. Hurwitz later enrolled at Harvard University, where he became roommates with Damien Chazelle. The two collaborated on a student film that evolved into their first feature, Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench, released in 2009. During his time at Harvard, Hurwitz was active in the campus humor publication The Harvard Lampoon and was an original member of the indie-pop band Chester French, along with Chazelle.
Justin Hurwitz Facts
Where does Justin Hurwitz live? And how much money does Justin Hurwitz earn?
| Birth Date | 5-8-1985 |
| Heritage/origin | American- Lebanese- Polish- Russian- Syrian- |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion – believes in God? | Jewish |
| Residence | He lives in an unknown fashion in Los Angeles, California. |
Justin Hurwitz Net Worth 2025
| Estimated Net Worth | 5 million Dollar |
| Yearly Salary | N/A |
| Colleagues | Linus Sandgren & Barry Jenkins |
Justin Hurwitz: Single, Dating, Family & Friends
Who is Justin Hurwitz dating in 2025?
| Relationship status | Single |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Partner | Currently in no confirmed relationship |
| Ex-girlfriends or ex-wives | |
| Has any kids? | No |
Friends
- Aziz Ansari
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos, Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This talented musician originating from Spring Glen, Connecticut has a slender body & oval face type.
| Hair color | Brown/Black |
| Hairstyle | casual |
| Beard or Mustache | Beardless |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Height | 183 cm |
| Weight | 75 kilo |
| Feet size | N/A |
| Does Justin Hurwitz smoke? | |
| Does Justin Hurwitz have a tattoo? | No |
FAQs
What did Justin Hurwitz study at Harvard?
Justin Hurwitz started piano and first grade at about the same. After spending much of his growing-up years in Wisconsin, he went on to study music composition and orchestration at Harvard University.
What is Justin Hurwitz’s most famous work?
Justin Hurwitz (born January 22, 1985) is an American film composer and television writer. He is best known for his longtime collaboration with director Damien Chazelle, scoring each of his films: Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench (2009), Whiplash (2014), La La Land (2016), First Man (2018), and Babylon (2022).
Is Justin Hurwitz classically trained?
Hurwitz skillfully combined his classical training with jazz compositions, creating a soundscape that becomes integral to the narrative.
What makes Justin Hurwitz’s scores unique?
Hurwitz’s score — perhaps his most ambitious yet — manages to be faithful to the time period yet completely modern, taking inspiration from EDM and rock and roll. “Given that Damien wrote the wildest movie ever,” he says, “we wanted to really err on the side of wildness.”
What instrument does Justin Hurwitz play?
Hailing from a creative family, composer Justin Hurwitz learned to play the piano at age 6 and began composing music when he was only 10. ∙ Hurwitz and filmmaker Damien Chazelle were roommates at Harvard University, where they performed in a pop band called Chester French and collaborated on their first film.