Craig Safan has been composing music for movies and musical theatre since he was fourteen years old. At Brandeis University, Craig wrote the music for four original musicals and was awarded a Watson Foundation Fellowship to study music in London after graduation.
He has scored the music for over twenty-five feature films, including The Last Starfighter, Stand and Deliver, Money for Nothing, Major Payne, and Mr. Wrong. Craig has also composed the scores for five mini-series, including the acclaimed "Son of the Morning Star." In television, he is probably best known for his work as the composer for the series Cheers, for his Emmy-nominated work on Life Goes On, as well as for his themes for Pearl and Hope and Gloria.
In musical theater, Craig's songs have been sung by Bernadette Peters, Terrence Mann, and Leon Redbone. His musical BUTTERFLY was performed at the Goodspeed Opera House and directed by Jack Hofsis. In addition, Craig contributed additional music for the musical HEARTBEATS. Craig also co-wrote and produced the all-musical pilot for CBS, Shangri-La Plaza, directed by Nick Castle. At Disney Animation, Craig has worked on a feature-length animation project, The Trickster. His musical LOLA, based on the life of Lola Montez and written with Kirby Tepper, was part of the Eugene O’Neill Musical Theater Conference and was also produced at the Lark Theater in Manhattan. Other works include a musical entitled FLOWERS, as well as E.M. FORSTER'S A ROOM WITH A VIEW.
Craig resides in Santa Monica, California with his wonderful wife Linda, and their two adorable children, Alec and Kira.