- Born
- Died
- Height5′ 7″ (1.70 m)
- Playwright/lyricist Alan Jay Lerner was born into a wealthy New York City retailing family. His professional association with Frederick Loewe started in 1942 when they teamed up to write "Life of the Party". Their first Broadway success was the 1947 musical fantasy "Brigadoon." Lerner adapted work for the screen (Brigadoon (1954)) and earned two Oscars as the screenplay writer for An American in Paris (1951) and Gigi (1958), and a Grammy for On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970). Lerner and Loewe parted company in 1962 following the success of Camelot (1967). Lerner's last musical, "Dance a Little Closer", was written with Charles Strouse in 1983. It closed after one performance.
- IMDb mini biography by: Ray Hamel
- SpousesLiz Robertson(August 18, 1981 - June 14, 1986) (his death)Nina Oliver Bushkin(May 30, 1977 - August 1981) (divorced)Sandra Payne(December 10, 1974 - 1976) (divorced)Karen Gunderson(November 15, 1966 - April 30, 1974) (divorced)Micheline Muselli Pozzo diBorgo(December 25, 1957 - March 8, 1965) (divorced, 1 child)Nancy Olson(March 10, 1950 - October 1957) (divorced, 2 children)Marion Bell(September 26, 1947 - September 15, 1949) (divorced)Ruth O'Day Boyd(June 26, 1940 - June 1947) (divorced, 1 child)
- ChildrenSusan LernerMichael Lerner
- ParentsEdith AdelsonJoseph Jay Lerner
- His father founded Lerner Stores.
- Has won three Tony Awards, all in collaboration with Frederick Loewe: two in 1957 for "My Fair Lady," as Best Author (Musical) and for his book and lyrics as part of a Best Musical win; and one in 1974 for "Gigi" as Best Score, his lyrics with Loewe's music. He has been nominated three other times, always in collaboration with someone other than Loew. In 1963, as Best Composer and Lyricist in collaboration with Burton Lane for "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever;" in 1970, his book and lyrics with music by André Previn as parts of a Best Musical nomination for "Coco" and in 1979 for Best Score, his lyrics with Lane's music, for "Carmelina.".
- Famous for his affair with Jean Kennedy Smith right after the Kennedy "Camelot" years.
- Toward the end of his career, Lerner was the target of a federal lawsuit, sued by the government for $1.4 million in back taxes and penalties. A lien was placed on his songwriting royalties.
- You write a hit the same way you write a flop.
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