- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJacob Harold Levison
- Height6′ 3″ (1.91 m)
- Jay Livingston was born March 28, 1915 in McDonald, Pennsylvania. He (along with his partner Ray Evans) composed many songs for movies such as To Each His Own (1946), Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) and Academy Award winning songs "Mona Lisa" from the movie Captain Carey, U.S.A. (1949), "Buttons and Bows" from the movie The Paleface (1948) and "Que Sera Sera" from the movie The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). Livingston and Evans also collaborated on several popular TV themes such as Bonanza (1959) and Mister Ed (1961).
- IMDb mini biography by: Robin <soonerzs@yahoo.com>
- SpousesShirley Mitchell(May 16, 1992 - October 17, 2001) (his death)Marie Evelyn (Thomas) Gordon(March 19, 1947 - January 12, 1991) (her death)
- ChildrenTravilyn Elaine Livingston
- ParentsMaurice Herman LevisonRose Lucile Wachtel
- RelativesNancy Olson(Sibling)Alan Livingston(Sibling)Christopher Livingston(Niece or Nephew)Jennifer Lerner(Niece or Nephew)
- In their Television Archives interview, Ray Evans and Jay Livingston said when Desi Arnaz asked them to write a theme song for a Western television show, he told them he could not pay them much for a weekly salary, because the show was only going to last one year. The men made a deal with Desi to keep the rights to the song. When Bonanza became an unexpected smash-hit, owning the rights to the song, the men made millions.
- Jay Livingston and Ray Evans were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
- His signature tune "Silver Bells" was originally titled "Tinkle Bells".
- Older brother of "Bozo the Clown" creator and former Capitol Records President, Alan Livingston.
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1958 Tony Award, music and lyrics in collaboration with Ray Evans, as part of Best Musical nomination for "Oh, Captain!".
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