Biography

John Strauss was born on April 28, 1920 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a composer, known for The Blues Brothers (1980), Hair (1979) and Take the Money and Run (1969). He was married to Charlotte Rae. He died on February 14, 2011 in West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.

He served in the United States Army during World War II in France and Northern Africa.

His life partner, Lionel Friedman, died in 2003. His musical partner, Nat Hiken, died in 1968. He is survived by his first wife, Charlotte Rae; a son, Larry Strauss; and three grandchildren.

After World War II, he studied musical composition with Paul Hindemouth at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.

He was awarded a Grammy Award in 1984 for production of the soundtrack album for the film, "Amadeus.".

Taught at New York's High School of Performing Arts.