Max Steiner (1888–1971) was an Austrian-American composer and conductor, widely regarded as one of the greatest film composers in Hollywood history. Often called the "father of film music," he composed scores for over 300 films, including iconic works such as "Gone with the Wind," "King Kong," "Casablanca," and "Now, Voyager." He pioneered the use of orchestral leitmotifs in cinema and influenced generations of film composers.