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IMDbPro

John Morris(1926-2018)

  • Music Department
  • Composer
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
John Morris
John Morris was born on 18 October 1926 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA. He was a composer, known for The Elephant Man (1980), Blazing Saddles (1974) and Coach (1989). He was married to Francesca Bosetti. He died on 25 January 2018 in Red Hook, New York, USA.
BornOctober 18, 1926
DiedJanuary 25, 2018(91)
BornOctober 18, 1926
DiedJanuary 25, 2018(91)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Nominated for 2 Oscars
    • 7 wins & 4 nominations total

Known for

John Hurt in The Elephant Man (1980)
The Elephant Man
8.2
  • Music Department
  • 1980
Mel Brooks and Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles (1974)
Blazing Saddles
7.7
  • Music Department
  • 1974
Shelley Fabares, Craig T. Nelson, Bill Fagerbakke, Kenneth Kimmins, and Jerry Van Dyke in Coach (1989)
Coach
7.1
TV Series
  • Music Department
Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Lesley Ann Warren, Madeline Kahn, Eileen Brennan, Michael McKean, and Martin Mull in Clue (1985)
Clue
7.3
  • Composer
  • 1985

Credits

IMDbPro

Music Department



  • Spaceballs: The New One
    • composer original themes
    • Post-production
    • 2027



  • Thierry Genovese, Rcn, and Yossi Benavraham in Il était une fois (2024)
    Il était une fois
    Podcast Series
    • music by
    • 2025
  • Mel Brooks, Ike Barinholtz, Seth Rogen, Pamela Adlon, Wanda Sykes, Josh Gad, Jay Ellis, Nick Kroll, Kumail Nanjiani, Dove Cameron, Ronny Chieng, Hannah Einbinder, and Zazie Beetz in History of the World: Part II (2023)
    History of the World: Part II
    5.5
    TV Mini Series
    • theme music composer (as John L. Morris)
    • 2023
  • Spaceballs: The Documentary (2005)
    Spaceballs: The Documentary
    7.1
    Video
    • composer: "Spaceballs" theme music (uncredited)
    • 2005
  • Shelley Fabares, Craig T. Nelson, Bill Fagerbakke, Kenneth Kimmins, and Jerry Van Dyke in Coach (1989)
    Coach
    7.1
    TV Series
    • composer: theme music
    • 1989–1997
  • Vanessa Williams, Jason Alexander, and Marc Kudisch in Bye Bye Birdie (1995)
    Bye Bye Birdie
    5.8
    TV Movie
    • dance arrangements: original
    • 1995
  • Gene Wilder, Dom DeLuise, and Gilda Radner in Haunted Honeymoon (1986)
    Haunted Honeymoon
    5.7
    • conductor
    • 1986
  • The Doctor and the Devils (1985)
    The Doctor and the Devils
    6.2
    • conductor
    • 1985
  • Night of 100 Stars (1982)
    Night of 100 Stars
    6.9
    TV Special
    • arrangements
    • orchestrations
    • 1982
  • The Electric Grandmother (1982)
    The Electric Grandmother
    7.5
    TV Movie
    • orchestrator
    • 1982
  • John Hurt in The Elephant Man (1980)
    The Elephant Man
    8.2
    • conductor
    • 1980
  • Alan Arkin and Peter Falk in The In-Laws (1979)
    The In-Laws
    7.3
    • conductor
    • 1979
  • Mel Brooks, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Ron Carey, Harvey Korman, and Howard Morris in High Anxiety (1977)
    High Anxiety
    6.6
    • conductor
    • orchestrator
    • 1977
  • Gene Wilder in The World's Greatest Lover (1977)
    The World's Greatest Lover
    5.8
    • conductor
    • orchestrator (uncredited, uncredited)
    • 1977
  • Mel Brooks, Dom DeLuise, and Marty Feldman in Silent Movie (1976)
    Silent Movie
    6.7
    • orchestrator
    • 1976
  • The Adams Chronicles (1976)
    The Adams Chronicles
    8.2
    TV Mini Series
    • music conducted by
    • conductor
    • 1976

Composer



  • Clue: Presentation Short
    • Composer
    • Production Unknown



  • Face Cachée (2024)
    Face Cachée
    Short
    • original themes by
    • 2024
  • Dramatic Look (2007)
    Dramatic Look
    7.2
    Video
    • background score
    • 2007
  • Kansas to Kandahar
    • Composer
    • 2006
  • With God on Our Side: George W. Bush and the Rise of the Religious Right in America (2004)
    With God on Our Side: George W. Bush and the Rise of the Religious Right in America
    5.8
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 2004
  • The Blackwater Lightship (2004)
    The Blackwater Lightship
    6.8
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 2004
  • The Making of 'the Producers' (2002)
    The Making of 'the Producers'
    7.2
    Video
    • Composer
    • 2002
  • Broadway Legends (2002)
    Broadway Legends
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 2002
  • Gene Wilder in The Lady in Question (1999)
    The Lady in Question
    6.4
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 1999
  • Murder in a Small Town (1999)
    Murder in a Small Town
    6.4
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 1999
  • Only Love (1998)
    Only Love
    6.5
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 1998
  • Ellen Foster (1997)
    Ellen Foster
    6.9
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 1997
  • With God on Our Side: The Rise of the Religious Right in America (1996)
    With God on Our Side: The Rise of the Religious Right in America
    5.8
    TV Mini Series
    • Composer
    • 1996
  • Joanne Whalley and Timothy Dalton in Scarlett (1994)
    Scarlett
    6.4
    TV Mini Series
    • Composer
    • 1994
  • Michael Caine, Bob Hoskins, and John Lithgow in World War II: When Lions Roared (1994)
    World War II: When Lions Roared
    6.6
    TV Mini Series
    • Composer
    • 1994
  • Louis Gossett Jr. and Melissa Leo in Carolina Skeletons (1991)
    Carolina Skeletons
    6.2
    TV Movie
    • Composer
    • 1991

Soundtrack



  • Olivia Colman and Micheal Ward in Empire of Light (2022)
    Empire of Light
    6.7
    • performer: "Elephant Man Theme"
    • writer: "Elephant Man Theme"
    • 2022
  • Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen (2015)
    Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen
    7.2
    TV Special
    • music: "Blazing Saddles"
    • 2015
  • Cinematic Excrement (2009)
    Cinematic Excrement
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Soundtrack ("Spaceballs - Main Title")
    • 2014
  • The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (2009)
    The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
    7.0
    TV Special
    • music: "Blazing Saddles"
    • 2009
  • Josh Zuckerman in Sex Drive (2008)
    Sex Drive
    6.5
    • writer: "That's What They All Say"
    • 2008
  • Don Cheadle and Adam Sandler in Reign Over Me (2007)
    Reign Over Me
    7.4
    • writer: "Burt in Shower"
    • 2007
  • Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts in The Mexican (2001)
    The Mexican
    6.1
    • writer: "The Elephant Man"
    • 2001
  • Nicolas Cage and David Caruso in Kiss of Death (1995)
    Kiss of Death
    6.0
    • writer: "Hubba Bubba Baby"
    • 1995
  • Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993)
    The Pelican Brief
    6.7
    • writer: "Coach (Theme)"
    • 1993
  • Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Michael Keaton, Dom DeLuise, Peter Boyle, and Joe Piscopo in Johnny Dangerously (1984)
    Johnny Dangerously
    6.5
    • music: "Dangerously"
    • 1984
  • Where Is Parsifal? (1984)
    Where Is Parsifal?
    4.8
    • writer: "The Twelve Chairs"
    • 1984
  • 47th Annual Academy Awards (1975)
    47th Annual Academy Awards
    6.7
    TV Special
    • writer: "Blazing Saddles"
    • 1975
  • Chiller Theatre (1974)
    Chiller Theatre
    TV Series
    • music: "Young Frankenstein"
    • 1974–1979
  • Mel Brooks and Cleavon Little in Blazing Saddles (1974)
    Blazing Saddles
    7.7
    • music: "Blazing Saddles"
    • 1974
  • Zero Mostel in The Producers (1967)
    The Producers
    7.5
    • Soundtrack ("The Producers", uncredited)
    • 1967

Personal details

  • Alternative name
    • John L. Morris
  • Born
    • October 18, 1926
    • Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA
  • Died
    • January 25, 2018
    • Red Hook, New York, USA(natural causes)
  • Spouse
    • Francesca Bosetti1949 - January 25, 2018 (his death, 2 children)
  • Other works
    Stage Play: All American. Musical comedy. Book by Mel Brooks. Music by Charles Strouse. Lyrics by Lee Adams. Based on the novel "Professor Fodorski" by Robert Lewis Taylor. Dance arrangements by John Morris. Musical Director: John Morris. Music orchestrated by Robert Ginzler. Musical continuity by Trude Rittman. Lighting and Scenic Design by Jo Mielziner. Directed by Joshua Logan. Winter Garden Theatre: 19 Mar 1962- 26 May 1962 (80 performances). Cast: Ray Bolger (as "Professor Fodorski"), Anita Gillette (as "Susan"), Eileen Herlie (as "Elizabeth Hawkes-Bullock ), Ron Husmann (as "Edwin Bricker"), Fritz Weaver (as "Henderson"), Will B. Able (as "Immigrant/Taxi/Peddler/President Piedmont"), Jed Allan (as "Immigrant/Policeman/Football Player/Craven/Singing Ensemble"), Don Atkinson (as "Immigrant/Dancing Ensemble"), Robert Bakanic [credited as Bob Bakanic] (as "Gorilla/Fountainhead/Dancing Ensemble"), Vicki Belmonte (as "Immigrant/Singing Ensemble"), Bonnie Brody (as "Immigrant/Bride/Chewing Gum Girl/Singing Ensemble"), Bill Burns (as "Immigrant/Cowboy/Football Player/Wyler/Singing Ensemble"), Trudy Carole (as "Immigrant/First Girl/Dancing Ensemble"), Cathy Conklin (as "Dancing Ensemble"), John Drew (as "Immigrant/Football Player/Singing Ensemble"), Anthony Falco (as "Immigrant/Phillips/Singing Ensemble"), Mary Jane Ferguson (as "Immigrant/Mannikin/Dancing Ensemble"), Catherine Gale (as "Immigrant/Singing Ensemble"), Joseph Gentry (as "Immigrant/Con Ed Worker/Football Player"), Michael Gentry (as "Immigration Officer/Taxi/Football Player"), Linda Rae Hager (as "Immigrant/Dancing Ensemble"), Warren Hays (as "Immigrant/Professor White/Singing Ensemble"), Jerry Howard (as "Immigrant/Football Player"), Ed Kresley (as "Second Boy/Dancing Ensemble"), Bill Landrum (as "Immigrant/Football Player/Dancing Ensemble"), George Lindsey (as "Immigrant/Second Sightseeing Tour Guide/Moose"), Robert Lone (as "Flight Attendant/Cowboy/First Boy/Dancing Ensemble"), Sherri Spillane [credited as Selma Malinou] (as "Immigrant/Singing Ensemble"), Mort Marshall (as "Fleisser/Drunk/Coach Hulkington Stockworth/Hulk"), Barney Martin (as "Head Immigration Officer/Taxi/Assistant Coach/Red Stern"), Joe McWherter (as "Immigrant/Football Player"), Charlene Mehl (as "Dancing Ensemble"), Betty Oakes (as "Katrinka/Park Avenue Couple/House Mother/Whistler's Mother/Secretary"), Fred Randall (as "Taxi/Football Player"), Norman Riggins (as "Immigrant/Taxi/Singing Ensemble"), Lori Rogers (as "Airline Stewardess/Singing Ensemble"), Karen Sargent (as "Immigrant/Second Girl/Baton Twirler/Dancing Ensemble"), Bill Starr (as "Immigrant/Football Player/Farquar"), David Thomas (as "Shindler/Park Avenue Couple/Professor Dawson"), Sharon Vaughn (as "Immigrant/Homecoming Queen/Singing Ensemble"), Frank Virgulto (as "Swing Boy"), Kip Watson (as "Dancing Ensemble"), Bernard West [credited as Bernie West] (as "Feinschveiger/Sightseeing Tour Guide/Dr. Snopes"). Understudies: Will B. Able (as "Henderson/Professor Fodorski"), Betty Oakes (as "Elizabeth Hawkes-Bullock"). Produced by Edward Padula. Produced in association with L. Slade Brown.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article

Did you know

  • Trivia
    On the DVD commentary for Young Frankenstein (1974), Mel Brooks says that his two favorite scores from Morris are for that particular film and The Elephant Man (1980).
  • Quotes
    I thought I wanted to be a concert pianist, but I didn't like practicing , and that should have been a cue. Then I began doing composing and arranging on Broadway, and I soon realized I had found my vocation.

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