Richard Rodgers
- Known for
- Sound
- Born
- June 28, 1902
- Died
- December 30, 1979 (aged 77)
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
Biography
Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American composer of music, with over 900 songs and 43 Broadway musicals, leaving a legacy as one of the most significant composers of 20th century American music. He is best known for his songwriting partnerships with the lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II. His compositions have had a significant impact on popular music. Rodgers was the first person to win what are considered the top American entertainment awards in television, recording, movies and Broadway – an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award — now known collectively as an EGOT. In addition, he was awarded a Pulitzer Prize, making him only one of two people to receive each award (Marvin Hamlisch is the other). Rodgers died in 1979 at the age of 77, after surviving cancer of the jaw, a heart attack, and a laryngectomy. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea. In 1990, the 46th Street Theatre was renamed "The Richard Rodgers Theatre" in his memory. In 1999, Rodgers and Hart were each commemorated on United States postage stamps. In 2002, the centennial year of Rodgers's birth was celebrated worldwide with books, retrospectives, performances, new recordings of his music, and a Broadway revival of Oklahoma!. The BBC Proms that year devoted an entire evening to Rodgers's music, including a concert performance of Oklahoma! The Boston Pops Orchestra released a new CD that year in tribute to Rodgers, entitled My Favorite Things: A Richard Rodgers Celebration. Several American schools are named after Richard Rodgers. Alec Wilder wrote the following about Rodgers: "Of all the writers whose songs are considered and examined in this book, those of Rodgers show the highest degree of consistent excellence, inventiveness, and sophistication...[A]fter spending weeks playing his songs, I am more than impressed and respectful: I am astonished." Richard Rodgers is a member of the American Theater Hall of Fame. Along with the Academy of Arts and Letters, Rodgers also started and endowed an award for non-established musical theater composers to produce new productions either by way of full productions or staged readings. It is the only award for which the Academy of Arts and Letters accepts applications and is presented every year. Below are the previous winners of the award
Known For
Filmography
CITY THE ANIMATION
TV · Music · 1 ep
The Colors Within
Movie · Music
My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert
Movie · Songs
Becoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime
Movie · Music
Some Enchanted Evening
Movie · Music, Songs
The King and I
Movie · Songs, Music
The Sound of Music Live!
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel: Live from Lincoln Center
Movie · Songs
The Sound of Music Live!
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Oklahoma! (Takarazuka)
Movie · Original Music Composer, Songs
Oklahoma!
Movie · Music
South Pacific
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
The King and I
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Oklahoma!
Movie · Original Music Composer, Songs
Cinderella
Movie · Original Music Composer, Songs
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
Movie · Music
The King and I: Recording a Hollywood Dream
Movie · Music
The Boys from Syracuse
Movie · Music
I Am Returning Your Portrait
Movie · Music
Carousel
Movie · Songs
Androcles and the Lion
Movie · Songs
The Sound of Music
Movie · Music, Songs, Original Music Composer
Cinderella
Movie · Original Music Composer
State Fair
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Billy Rose's Jumbo
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Flower Drum Song
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
South Pacific
Movie · Songs, Music, Original Music Composer
Cinderella
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Pal Joey
Movie · Songs, Music, Original Music Composer
Carousel
Movie · Songs, Music, Original Music Composer
The King and I
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Gaby
Movie · Music
Paris in the Springtime
Movie · Songs
Oklahoma!
Movie · Songs, Music, Original Music Composer
Love Me or Leave Me
Movie · Songs
Dearest Enemy
Movie · Songs
A Connecticut Yankee
Movie · Songs
Victory at Sea
Movie · Music
South Pacific
Movie · Music, Songs
America Applauds: An Evening for Richard Rodgers
Movie · Music
Words and Music
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
State Fair
Movie · Songs, Original Music Composer
Stage Door Canteen
Movie · Songs
I Married an Angel
Movie · Songs
Too Many Girls
Movie · Songs
The Boys from Syracuse
Movie · Songs
Babes in Arms
Movie · Songs
On Your Toes
Movie · Music, Songs
Dancing Pirate
Movie · Songs
Mississippi
Movie · Songs, Music
Hollywood Party
Movie · Original Music Composer
Evergreen
Movie · Original Music Composer
Manhattan Melodrama
Movie · Songs
Dancing Lady
Movie · Songs
Love Me Tonight
Movie · Songs
The Phantom President
Movie · Songs
The Hot Heiress
Movie · Original Music Composer
Spring Is Here
Movie · Songs
Heads Up
Movie · Songs
Follow Thru
Movie · Songs
Makers of Melody
Movie · Songs