- In 1957, he founded Music Makers, Inc., a radio and television commercial music publishing house, of which Leigh is artistic director. It was Music Makers, Inc., who, under Leigh's supervision, orchestrated the music for the stage production of "Man of La Mancha".
- Won two 1966 Tony Awards for "Man of La Mancha": for his music as part of the Best Musical win and as Best Composer and Lyricist with collaborator Joe Darion. Nineteen years later, in 1985, he was Tony-nominated as Best Director (Musical) for a revival of "The King and I" that was Yul Brynner's farewell appearance in his signature role as the King of Siam.
- He spent most of his career on Madison Avenue, writing commercial jingles for several clients, including L & M cigarettes, Ken-L Ration dog food, and the Sara Lee Corporation.
- Won a 1966 Tony Award for his music for the Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha", which was filmed in 1972.
- In 2001, the Yale University School of Music building was renamed Leigh Hall in honor of Mitch Leigh and his wife Abby.
- His smash hit song "The Impossible Dream", which he co-wrote with Joe Darion for the Broadway musical "Man of La Mancha", was sung on the premiere episodes of two variety shows a few months apart, the 1966 "Milton Berle Show" and the 1967 "Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour". During this period, "Man of La Mancha", which had opened in 1965, was playing on Broadway and had become one of the biggest smash hits of the day.
- He grew up in the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. He served in the Army, and attended Yale University on the G.I. Bill, receiving bachelor's and master's degrees in music.
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