Atticus Ross Named a BMI Icon at 2025 Film, TV and Visual Media Awards

Atticus Ross was named a BMI Icon at the 2025 Film, TV and Visual Media Awards on Wednesday (May 14), in recognition of his body of work across film and television. The private ceremony held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., was hosted by Mike O’Neill, BMI president & CEO, and Tracy McKnight, BMI vp, creative, film, TV & visual media.

O’Neill presented Ross with the BMI Icon Award, expressing that his “innovative spirit and passion for pushing the boundaries of composition have literally reengineered the way we experience storytelling.” He went on to say, “we are very proud to honor your incomparable contributions to the world of music as a composer, a rock pioneer and an icon.”

Ross was emotional upon receiving the honor and stated, “The thing I love about film music is that there aren’t any rules, there aren’t any pros. Essentially, to my mind, it’s all about how we make people feel, and that’s what music is about.” Moreover, he voiced, “I put a lot of effort into making sure that this never feels like a job. I wake up every day grateful for the opportunity to make music, this is my dream, and I don’t take it lightly.”

Ross is a multifaceted musician, composer and producer who has received two Oscars, two Grammys, one Primetime Emmy, one BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards and three Critics Choice Awards. He’s also won 18 BMI Film, TV and Visual Media Awards, as well as one BMI Country, one BMI Pop and one BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Award.

In addition to his work as a composer, Ross has had a successful career as a member of Nine Inch Nails and a longtime collaboration with bandmate Trent Reznor. Together, they’ve created some of the most memorable film and TV scores of the past two decades, including The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Soul, Challengers and Watchmen. Ross has also collaborated with his brother Leopold Ross and wife Claudia Sarne on movies such as The Book of Eli and Triple 9 and series like Black Mirror, Dear Mama and Shōgun.

Previous BMI Icon Award recipients include Terence Blanchard, Mychael Danna, Alexandre Desplat, Ramin Djawadi, Harry Gregson-Williams, James Newton Howard, Christopher Lennertz, Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman (PRS), Mike Post, Alan Silvestri, Brian Tyler and John Williams.

During the ceremony, composers were honored for music featured in the past year’s top-grossing films, top-rated network television series, highest-ranking cable network and streamed media programs, and the most popular video games. Multiple award winners, in addition to Ross, included Fil Eisler, Tom Howe, Andrew Lockington, Blake Neely, Julia Newman, Mike Post, Carlos Rafael Rivera, Tyler Strickland and Atli Örvarsson. 

The event celebrated 29 first-time award winners including Kathryn Bostic, Goh Nakamura, Kara Talve, Dara Taylor and Zack Ryan.

For a complete list of winners, visit here.