Ben Lanzarone
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
Ben Lanzarone | |
---|---|
Born | Benjamin Anthony Lanzarone October 28, 1938 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Died | February 16, 2024 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 85)
Spouse | |
Children | Nikka Graff Lanzarone |
Benjamin Anthony Lanzarone (October 28, 1938 – February 16, 2024) was an American composer, arranger and music director.[1] He was best known for composing incidental soundtrack music for television shows, including episodes of Dynasty, Happy Days and The Tracey Ullman Show.
Lanzarone studied at the Manhattan School of Music and began his career as a classical pianist, making his debut at Carnegie Hall. But he moved into popular music through collaborations with Charles Fox and Bob Crewe. He was the musical director on the original 1972-80 Broadway production of Grease and toured with Frank Sinatra, Petula Clark and Art Garfunkel.[2] As a pianist, he issued the album In Classic Form on the DynoVoice label in 1968.[3]
He was the winner of ASCAP's Most Performed Composer Award. in 1977 Lanzarone married actress Ilene Graff. Their daughter Nikka was born in 1983.[4] Ben Lanzarone died from lung cancer on February 16, 2024, at the age of 85.[5]
Filmography
[edit]Composer
[edit]- "The Love Boat" (1979-1986)
- "Dynasty" (1982-1985)
- "Happy Days" (1978- 1980)
- "The Colbys" (1985-1987)
- "Hotel" (1983-1985)
- "Mork and Mindy" (1978)
- "Mr. Belvedere"
- "Laverne and Shirley"
- "Aloha Paradise"
- "Tracy Ullman Show"
- "Vegas"
- "Matt Houston"
- "Shirley"
- "Out of the Blue"
- "Good Time Girls"
- "Glitter"
References
[edit]- ^ "Family Bios". www.ilenegraff.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01.
- ^ Rose Chamblin. Ben Lanzarone, MXDWM, 18 February, 2024
- ^ Bhen Lanzaroni With The Bob Crewe Generation Orchestra. In Classic Form (Dynovoice DY 31906, 1968)
- ^ 'Composer Ben Lanzarone, Actress Ilene Graff’s Husband, Dead at 85', in Parade, 18 February 2024
- ^ Brew, Caroline (18 February 2024). "Ben Lanzarone, 'Happy Days' and 'The Love Boat' Composer, Dies at 85". Variety. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
External links
[edit]- Ben Lanzarone at IMDb
- Ben Lanzarone discography at Discogs
- Ben Lanzarone in 2013