David Rose, 80, Composer Of Music For Films, TV Shows, Including `Bonanza'

BURBANK, Calif. - Television and film composer David Rose, who composed the theme music for ``Bonanza'' and other television shows, died Thursday of heart problems at age 80.

Mr. Rose's 65-year career was marked by four Emmys, 22 Grammys and an Oscar nomination for the 1945 film ``Wonder Man.'' He also was the orchestra leader for ``The Red Skelton Show'' from its early days in radio through its 20 years on television.

Mr. Rose was the musical director of ``Bonanza'' for 14 years. In addition to the ``Bonanza'' music, Mr. Rose also composed music for episodes of Michael Landon's ``Little House on the Prairie'' and ``Highway to Heaven.''

His motion picture scores include ``Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' (1960), ``Rich, Young and Pretty'' (1951) and ``Port Afrique'' (1956).

Mr. Rose's gold record ``Holiday for Strings'' was actually a theme of Red Skelton's show. He conducted and composed the music for more than 50 albums, scored 36 films and supplied themes and background tunes to 24 television series.