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IMDbPro

Richard M. Sherman

  • Music Department
  • Composer
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Richard M. Sherman
Animator. Storyman. Troublemaker. Take an intimate journey through the life and career of the 'Forrest Gump' of the animation industry -- Floyd Norman. At 80 years old, see how this Disney Legend, the first African-American animator at Disney, continues to impact animation and stir up his own brand of trouble.
Play trailer2:32
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life (2016)
10 Videos
46 Photos
Richard Morton Sherman was born in the spring of 1928 in New York City to Rosa and Al Sherman. Together with his older brother, Robert B. Sherman, the Sherman brothers would follow in their songwriting father's footsteps to form one of the most prolific, lauded and long lasting songwriting partnerships of all time.

Richard was an enthusiastic and energetic child and youth, still bearing that trademark trait well into his seventies. Following seven years of frequent cross-country moves, the Shermans finally settled down in Beverly Hills, California in 1937. Throughout Richard's years at Beverly Hills High School and Bard College in upstate New York, he became fascinated with music and studied several instruments including the flute, piccolo and piano. At Bard, Richard majored in music and wrote numerous sonatas and "art songs" during his time there but it was Richard's ambition to write the "Great American Symphony" which eventually led him to write songs.

Within two years of graduating, Richard and his brother Robert began writing songs together on a challenge from their father. In 1957, Richard married Elizabeth Gluck with whom he had three children. In 1958, the Sherman brothers enjoyed their first hit with their song, "Tall Paul", sung by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney, who eventually hired the Sherman brothers on as staff songwriters for Walt Disney Studios.

While at Disney, the Sherman brothers wrote what is perhaps their most well-loved song: "It's a Small World (After All)" for the New York World's Fair in 1964. Since then, "Small World" has become the most translated and performed song on earth.

In 1965, the Sherman brothers won 2 Academy Awards for Mary Poppins (1964), which includes the songs "Feed The Birds", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and the Oscar winner, "Chim Chim Cher-ee". Since Mary Poppins (1964)' motion picture premiere, the Sherman brothers have subsequently earned nine Academy Award nominations, two Grammy Awards, four Grammy Award nominations, and an incredible 23 gold and platinum albums.

Robert and Richard worked directly for Walt Disney until his death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brother songwriting team has worked freelance on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme park exhibits and stage musicals. Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award nomination.

In 1973, the Sherman brothers made history by becoming the only Americans, ever, to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer (1973). They also authored the screenplay for "Tom Sawyer".

In 1976, The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella (1976), was picked to be the Royal Command Performance of the year, and the event was attended by Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, "Slipper" also features both songscore and screenplay by the Sherman brothers. That same year, the Sherman brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater. Their numerous other Disney and Non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), Charlotte's Web (1973), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), Snoopy Come Home (1972), Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), and Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989).

Outside the motion picture realm, their Tony-nominated smash hit, "Over Here!" (1974) was the biggest grossing original Broadway musical of that year. The Sherman brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen", which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice; first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and, then, with Ringo Starr, fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include "Pineapple Princess", "Let's Get Together", and more.

In 2000, the Sherman brothers wrote the song score for Disney's blockbuster film The Tigger Movie (2000). This film marked the brother's first major motion picture for the Disney company in over 28 years.

In 2002, "Chitty" hit the London stage and received rave revues. "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: The Stage Musical" is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium. In 2005, a second company will premiere on Broadway (New York City). The Sherman brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions.

In 2003, four Sherman brothers' musicals ranked in the "Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time" in a (British) nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967) ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9 and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.

Richard Sherman resides in Beverly Hills, California with his wife, Elizabeth.
BornJune 12, 1928
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornJune 12, 1928
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Won 2 Oscars
    • 9 wins & 22 nominations total

Photos46

Dick Van Dyke, Daws Butler, Peter Ellenshaw, Dal McKennon, J. Pat O'Malley, Richard M. Sherman, and David Tomlinson in Mary Poppins (1964)
Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Daws Butler, Peter Ellenshaw, Dal McKennon, J. Pat O'Malley, Richard M. Sherman, and David Tomlinson in Mary Poppins (1964)
Dick Van Dyke, Daws Butler, Dal McKennon, J. Pat O'Malley, and Richard M. Sherman in Mary Poppins (1964)
Walt Disney, Richard M. Sherman, and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Richard M. Sherman, and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
"Mary Poppins" Dick Van Dyke 1964 Disney
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Known for:

Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins (1964)
Mary Poppins
7.8
  • Music Department
  • 1964
Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
The Boys
7.7
  • Music Department
  • 2009
Dick Van Dyke, Adrian Hall, Sally Ann Howes, and Heather Ripley in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
6.9
  • Music Department
  • 1968
Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyong'o, and Neel Sethi in The Jungle Book (2016)
The Jungle Book
7.4
  • Music Department
  • 2016

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Music Department

  • Mushka (2023)
    Mushka
    • main title theme
    • Short
    • 2023
  • Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
    Mary Poppins Returns
    • music consultant
    • 2018
  • Ewan McGregor, Brad Garrett, Jim Cummings, and Nick Mohammed in Christopher Robin (2018)
    Christopher Robin
    • songs
    • 2018
  • Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Lupita Nyong'o, and Neel Sethi in The Jungle Book (2016)
    The Jungle Book
    • songs by
    • 2016
  • George Clooney and Thomas Robinson in Tomorrowland (2015)
    Tomorrowland
    • music and lyrics: song "It's a Small World"
    • 2015
  • Jim Cummings, Ken Sansom, Travis Oates, and Jack Boulter in Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (2011)
    Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
    • musician
    • TV Series
    • 2011–2014
  • It's a Small World: The Animated Series (2013)
    It's a Small World: The Animated Series
    • music consultant
    • TV Series
    • 2013
  • Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in Saving Mr. Banks (2013)
    Saving Mr. Banks
    • music consultant
    • 2013
  • Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
    The Boys
    • soundtrack
    • 2009
  • Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Jim Cummings, Bill Farmer, and Russi Taylor in Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers (2004)
    Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers
    • original score (uncredited)
    • Video
    • 2004
  • Jim Cummings and John Fiedler in Piglet's Big Movie (2003)
    Piglet's Big Movie
    • songs: music and lyrics by
    • 2003
  • The Mighty Kong (1998)
    The Mighty Kong
    • songs: music and lyrics by
    • 1998
  • The Timberwood Tales (1991)
    The Timberwood Tales
    • theme and animal song
    • TV Series
    • 1991
  • Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland (1989)
    Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland
    • songs: music and lyrics by
    • songs by
    • 1989
  • The Walt Disney Comedy and Magic Revue (1985)
    The Walt Disney Comedy and Magic Revue
    • lyricist: archive footage
    • music: archive footage
    • Video
    • 1985

Composer

  • The Sherman Brothers: A Hollywood Songbook
    • Composer
    • Video
    • 2018
  • Don Caron in Um Did He Lie? (2018)
    Um Did He Lie?
    • Composer
    • Music Video
    • 2018
  • The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (1998)
    The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
    • Composer
    • TV Special
    • 2011
  • The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (1998)
    The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
    • Composer
    • TV Special
    • 2010
  • Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in The Boys (2009)
    The Boys
    • Composer
    • 2009
  • Learn Along with Me: DVD1
    • Composer
    • Video
    • 2006
  • Winnie the Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly Adventure (2005)
    Winnie the Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly Adventure
    • Composer
    • Video Game
    • 2005
  • The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (1998)
    The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
    • Composer
    • TV Special
    • 2003
  • Sing Along Songs: Sing a Song with Pooh Bear and Piglet Too (2003)
    Sing Along Songs: Sing a Song with Pooh Bear and Piglet Too
    • Composer
    • Video
    • 2003
  • Michael Bolton: Only a Woman Like You
    • Composer
    • Music Video
    • 2002
  • Kenny Loggins: Your Heart Will Lead You Home
    • Composer
    • Music Video
    • 2000
  • Enchanted Musical Playhouse
    • Composer
    • TV Series
    • 1985
  • Goldilocks (1970)
    Goldilocks
    • Composer
    • TV Movie
    • 1970
  • Dick Van Dyke, Adrian Hall, Sally Ann Howes, and Heather Ripley in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
    Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
    • Composer (music by)
    • 1968

Writer

  • Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Randy Rainbow in Randy Rainbow: Braggadocious! (2016)
    Randy Rainbow: Braggadocious!
    • based on
    • Music Video
    • 2016
  • The Magic of Lassie (1978)
    The Magic of Lassie
    • screenplay
    • story
    • 1978
  • Richard Chamberlain in The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella (1976)
    The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella
    • screenplay
    • 1976
  • Huckleberry Finn (1974)
    Huckleberry Finn
    • screenplay
    • 1974
  • Tom Sawyer (1973)
    Tom Sawyer
    • screenplay
    • 1973
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos10

The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Clip 1:27
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Clip 1:29
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Clip 1:22
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life
Trailer 2:32
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Featurette 1:14
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Featurette 1:13
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Featurette 1:06
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Featurette 1:04
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Featurette 1:12
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story
Featurette 1:03
The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Story

Personal details

Edit
  • Official site
    • Pictoral/Narrative Bio Page with egroup and guest book.
  • Alternative names
    • Dick Sherman
  • Height
    • 6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
  • Born
    • June 12, 1928
    • New York City, New York, USA
  • Spouses
      Ursula Elizabeth GluckJuly 6, 1957 - present (2 children)
  • Children
      Victoria Lynn Sherman
  • Parents
    • Al Sherman
  • Relatives
    • Robert B. Sherman(Sibling)
  • Other works
    Performed the songs from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on an album.
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Biographical Movies
    • 1 Portrayal
    • 1 Interview
    • 1 Article
    • 1 Pictorial

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Worked together with his older brother, Robert B. Sherman.
  • Quotes
    We write for Grandpa and the four-year-old and everyone in between.
  • Trademarks
      Composed songs for Disney films
  • Nickname
    • Dick

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