Biography for
Alan Jay Lerner More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

31 August 1918, New York City, New York, USA

Date of Death

14 June 1986, New York City, New York, USA (lung cancer)

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini Biography

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

Spouse

Liz Robertson	(1981 - 14 June 1986) (his death)
Nina Bushkin	(1977 - ?) (divorced)
Sandra Payne	(1974 - 1976) (divorced)
Karen Gunderson	(1966 - 1974) (divorced)
Micheline Muselli Pozzo diBorgo	(1957 - 1965) (divorced) 1 son
Nancy Olson	(10 March 1950 - 1957) (divorced) 2 children
Marion Bell	(1947 - 1949) (divorced)
Ruth Boyd	(1940 - 1947) (divorced) 1 daughter

Trivia

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.

His father founded Lerner Stores.

Famous for his affair with Jean Kennedy Smith right after the Kennedy "Camelot" years.

Wrote songs together with Gerard Kenny.

Cousin of actor/comedian Henry Morgan.

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.".

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 525-527. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999.

Sued Billy Gray after he recorded Sid Kuller's satiric review of "My Fair Lady" called "My Fairfax Lady", which had enjoyed a five-year run at Gray's comedy club, the Band Box, from 1956 to 1961.

Personal Quotes

You write a hit the same way you write a flop.