Who was Robin Kaye, American Idol music supervisor shot dead along with husband at LA home (Career details, personal life, net worth inside)

Time of India

16-07-2025

Robin Kaye, an award-winning music supervisor for American Idol, the well-known competition show, was found dead along with her musician husband, Thomas Deluca (singer-songwriter), in a suspected double murder inside their $4.5 million Los Angeles home.
The double murder, according to cops, took place after an apparent break-in at their house in the upscale Encino neighborhood.
Robin and her husband were both 70.
The couple's bodies were found during a 'welfare check' Monday afternoon after they had not been heard from in four days, the LAPD said. Both victims had what appeared to be gunshot wounds to the head.
Who was Robin Kaye?
Robin Kaye was the celebrated music supervisor behind more than a decade of American Idol magic, an often under‑the‑radar force whose expert ear shaped the show's iconic soundtrack.
Kaye built a career that spanned genres, formats, and decades.
Her career in music supervision began in the late 1990s, with her earliest credits tracing back to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 3, 1998). She later held key roles in Nashville (working with Waylon Jennings, MTM Records) before transitioning to Los Angeles, where she worked for Universal Records and PolyGram. In 2000, she founded SyncroniCity to represent artists like Andrea Bocelli, Kenny Loggins, Lang Lang, Donny Osmond, and Stephen Bishop.
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Undo
Kaye's landmark achievement was music supervision for American Idol.
Beginning with a single episode of American Idol in 2002, Kaye became the show's go‑to music supervisor from 2009 to 2023 – spanning a total of 288 episodes. Kaye also worked on Lip Sync Battle, Hollywood Game Night, The Singing Bee, Miss USA/Miss Universe, NAACP Image Awards, and more, showcasing her versatility and top-tier reputation.
Her accolades include three Guild of Music Supervisors Awards for her work on Idol, plus supervision duties on Lip Sync Battle, Hollywood Game Night, Miss USA/Universe, The Singing Bee, and the NAACP Image Awards.
Personal life:
Robin – aged 70 at the time of her death – was married to singer‑songwriter Thomas 'Tom' DeLuca, also 70.
DeLuca was a seasoned singer-songwriter whose 1986 debut album, Down to the Wire, earned him a place, and he wrote songs for notable artists such as Kid Rock, Meredith Brooks, Diesel, and Mickey Dolenz.
The couple relocated from Nashville to Los Angeles, purchasing an Encino estate (previously owned by Juice WRLD) for approximately $4.5 million in 2023.
They reportedly did not have public children, and both were treasured figures in the industry, revered for their kindness and professionalism.
Net worth:
There are no confirmed financial figures or public records of Kaye's (or Tom's) net worth. However, their Encino property, market salary ranges, and DeLuca's songwriting royalties suggest significant wealth. Their Encino home reportedly sold for around $4.5 million in 2023, in a neighborhood known for multimillion‑dollar real estate.
Moreover, Kaye's lengthy and decorated run in her professional career on high‑budget television certainly earned high compensation. Music supervisors on nationally televised series typically earn mid- to high-six-figure annual salaries; multi-award winners like Kaye would be at the upper end – especially with all the accolades and seniority.
Similarly, DeLuca's songwriting royalties and publishing deals would have contributed reliably. The sale of their house – coupled with income from Kaye's 15‑season tenure and DeLuca's publishing deals – indicates a combined net worth likely in the $5 million to $10 million range.
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