Raised in Los Angeles

Followed his brother Richard to France

Played violin on the streets of Paris and performed with Le Grand Magic Circus, an avant-garde musical theater group

Left France and traveled throughout Africa; contracted malaria during his one-year stay and returned to the United States

Joined the musical theater group, The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo, formed by his brother; later shortened their name to Oingo Boingo

Composed first score for the film, "Forbidden Zone"; directed by brother Richard Elfman; also played the role of Satan

Scored the coming-of-age teen-comedy, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High"; written by Cameron Crowe and directed by Amy Heckerling

First collaboration with director Tim Burton, "Pee-wee's Big Adventure"

TV series debut, wrote the theme music for "Sledge Hammer!" (ABC) and "Pee-wee's Playhouse" (CBS)

Composed the music for Burton's "Beetlejuice"

First large-scale action score, Tim Burton's "Batman"; earned a Grammy nomination for Best Original Instrumental Background Score

Won acclaim for writing the theme music for the FOX series, "The Simpsons"; earned an Emmy nomination for the Main Title Theme Music

Again collaborated with Burton for "Batman Returns"

Collaborated on the story and screenplay and composed music and lyrics for Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas"; also performed the singing voice of the lead character (Jack Skellington) and two supporting roles; earned Golden Globe and Grammy nominations for Best Original Score

Oingo Boingo announced that it was disbanding

Worked with director Brian De Palma to compose music for "Mission:Impossible"

Signed multiple picture, non-exclusive agreement to write, produce and direct for Walt Disney Motion Picture Group

Received first Oscar nominations for Best Original Score for "Good Will Hunting" and "Men in Black"; earned a Grammy nomination for the latter

Met future wife, Bridget Fonda, while working on "A Simple Plan"

Composed the atmospheric score for Tim Burton's "Sleepy Hollow"

Again collaborated with Burton for "Planet of the Apes"; earned a Grammy nomination for Best Score Soundtrack

Collaborated with John Kander and Fred Ebb to compose the music for Rob Marshall's screen adaptation of "Chicago"

Composed the music for Tim Burton's "Big Fish"; received Golden Globe, Academy Award and Grammy nominations for Best Original Score

Wrote the theme music for ABC's "Desperate Housewives"

Voiced Bonejangles in Tim Burton's animated feature "Corpse Bride"; also scored the music

Composed the score for Burton's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"; also provided the voices for the Oompa-Loompas in the musical numbers; earned a Grammy nomination for Best Song for "Wonka’s Welcome Song"

Scored the music for Gus Van Sant's "Milk"; earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score