- Born
- Died
- Birth nameFrank Henry Loesser
- Frank Loesser was educated at Townsend Harris Hall; CCNY. He wrote songs for college shows, and worked as a newspaper reporter, a pianist and singer, a caricaturist in vaudeville acts, and as an editor for a trade newspaper. While serving as an officer in the US Army during World War II, he wrote songs for Army shows. Joining ASCAP in 1934, his chief musical collaborators included Barton Lane, Hoagy Carmichael, Jimmy McHugh, Jule Styne, Victor Schertzinger and Arthur Schwartz.
- IMDb mini biography by: Lou Rugani
- SpousesJo Sullivan(April 30, 1959 - July 28, 1969) (his death, 2 children)Lynn Garland(October 19, 1936 - 1957) (divorced, 2 children)
- Co-wrote the song "Heart and Soul", one of the most recognizable pop songs in the world.
- He appeared as an actor in one film, the slapstick Red, Hot and Blue (1949), in which, opposite Betty Hutton and Victor Mature, he delivered a most colorful portrayal of a piano-dabbling hoodlum chieftain.
- Won three Tony Awards: in 1951, as Best Composer and Lyricist and his music and lyrics as part of a Best Musical win for "Guys and Dolls;" and in 1962, his music and lyrics as part pf a Best Musical win for "How to Succed in Business Without Really Trying." He also received two other Tony nominations: in 1957, his book, music and lyrics as part of a Best Musical nomination for "The Most Happy Fella;" and in 1962, as Best Composer, also for "How to Succeed...".
- Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970.
- Won the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the musical "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying", collaborating with Abe Burrows.
- [advice to young songwriters] Remember, a song is like a freight train moving across a stage. Every boxcar has a word on it. Those people have to hear everything and understand it - fast, because in a minute the car will be gone and they'll never see it again. Make them listen and then lay it in their laps.
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