Bennett, who was a Brit, passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve in his adopted home city of New York, reported The Guardian.
Born in Kent on March 29, 1936, Bennett was a composer of classical and jazz works in addition to film scores, and regularly performed as a jazz pianist.
His score for Sidney Lumet's Murder on the Orient Express won a Bafta in 1974, and was also nominated for an Academy Award.
Bennett's scores for Far From the Madding Crowd and Nicholas and Alexandra also received Oscar nominations, and his other compositions for film include Enchanted April and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
His TV work ranges from early Doctor Who serial The Aztecs to Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Christopher Lee's 2000 miniseries Gormenghast.
Bennett was honoured with a CBE in 1977, and received a knighthood in 1998.
