At the age of 68, composer Marvin Hamlisch died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. No details were provided about his death but family spokesman Jason Lee mentioned a recent illness. Hamlisch is known for composing ‘A Chorus Line’ and many other productions. Hamlisch was working on a new musical production of ‘The Nutty Professor,’ which he had written 20 songs for already. The show is auditioning in Nashville now.
Hamlisch also composed the standards “The Way We Were” and “Nobody Does It Better.” Hamlisch has been honored with a Tony Award, an Oscar, a Grammy and an Emmy multiple times. Hamlisch composed his very first hit at the age of 21 and was “Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows.” The song was recorded by Lesley Gore.
Hamlisch was born in 1944 in New York City. Hamlisch had a life goal of preventing the arts from disappearing in the country’s public schools. “It’s the average public school kids that I’m most worried about,” Hamlisch said in an interview with the Tribune in 1997. “The really talented kids who get to go to the special music schools will be fine. They’re on their way. It’s the other kids we’ve got to worry about. I’ve done research on this, and every single study shows what a difference arts classes makes to kids’ lives.”