The 97th Academy Awards delivered its fair share of surprises, but one of the most heartwarming moments was Daniel Blumberg’s win for Best Original Score for The Brutalist. The 34-year-old British composer, who’s been carving out a niche for himself in the world of film music, took home his very first Oscar, cementing his status as a rising star in Hollywood. This win follows his BAFTA triumph just a month earlier, making it clear that Blumberg’s talents are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
Let’s dive into how this London-born composer went from indie music circles to the Oscars stage and take a look at his growing net worth in 2025.
From Indie Roots to Oscar Gold
Daniel Blumberg isn’t new to the music scene. Before stepping into the world of film scores, he was known for his experimental solo work and as the frontman of indie bands like Yuck and Cajun Dance Party. His shift to film scoring was a bold move, but it’s one that has clearly paid off. With The Brutalist being only his second feature-length film score, Blumberg’s rapid rise is nothing short of remarkable.
His debut score for The World to Come in 2020 didn’t just turn heads—it won him an Ivor Novello award, showcasing his ability to weave emotion into every note. It was here that his partnership with director Brady Corbet began to flourish, leading to the hauntingly beautiful score for The Brutalist.
Daniel Blumberg’s Net Worth in 2025
- Music Earnings: $2 million
- Film Scoring Projects: $1.5 million
- Royalties and Collaborations: $1 million
- Total Net Worth: $4.5 million
While Blumberg’s net worth of $4.5 million might not rival Hollywood’s heavyweight composers just yet, it’s impressive considering his relatively short time in the film industry. His earnings come not just from film scores but also from his music royalties, album sales, and collaborations.
The Brutalist: A Score that Captured Torment and Resilience
The Brutalist tells the story of László Tóth, a Hungarian-Jewish Holocaust survivor played by Adrien Brody, who moves to the U.S. in search of a fresh start. Blumberg’s score is as much a character as any actor on screen, using lyrical piano lines, jazz saxophone, and discordant brass orchestrations to mirror Tóth’s inner struggles and resilience.
The combination of these elements created a haunting yet hopeful atmosphere, helping to elevate Brody’s already powerful performance, which also won him the Best Actor award. In his acceptance speech, Blumberg described the Oscar win as “meaning a lot to be championed like this,” and thanked Brady Corbet, whom he called his “artistic soulmate.” The film’s score is also a tribute to Scott Walker, the legendary composer who scored Corbet’s previous projects.
A Night of Surprises at the Oscars
Blumberg wasn’t the only surprise winner at the 97th Academy Awards. Small-budget film Anora defied the odds to win Best Picture, with Sean Baker taking home Best Director and Mikey Madison winning Best Actress for her gripping portrayal of a woman on the edge. Kieran Culkin snagged the Best Supporting Actor award for A Real Pain, while Zoe Saldaña won Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez.
Blumberg’s win was particularly satisfying for fans who have followed his career from indie rock stages to the grand orchestra pits of film scores. Beating out heavyweights like Volker Bertelmann (Conclave), John Powell and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked), and Kris Bowers (The Wild Robot), his victory felt like a win for underdogs everywhere.
What’s Next for Daniel Blumberg?
With an Oscar and a BAFTA now under his belt, the sky’s the limit for Blumberg. His ability to blend experimental sounds with traditional orchestration sets him apart from other composers in Hollywood. And with his growing net worth of $4.5 million, we can expect to see him take on even more ambitious projects in the years to come.
As for now, Blumberg seems happy to bask in the moment. But if his past is anything to go by, we won’t have to wait long to hear what he’s been working on next.
