Charles Strouse, the renowned composer behind dozens of beloved Broadway songs, has died aged 96.
Strouse died at his New York City home on Thursday, his four children announced. A cause of death was not disclosed.
In a career that spanned more than seven decades, Strouse composed some of the most well-known songs in musical theater history, including “Put On A Happy Face” from Bye Bye Birdie and “Tomorrow” from Annie.
Strouse was also the mastermind behind Broadway musicals Applause, Golden Boy, Charlie & Algernon, Rags, and Nick & Nora.
Born June 7, 1928, in New York City, Strouse attended the Eastman School of Music and later studied under renowned composer Aaron Copland.
Strouse met songwriting partner Lee Adams in 1949. Together, the duo contributed material to multiple musical revues, including Catch a Star, Shoestring Revue, The Littlest Revue, and Kaleidoscope. They also wrote specialty material for Kaye Ballard, Carol Burnett, Jane Morgan and Dick Shawn.
The composer also collaborated with lyricist Fred Tobias, with whom he wrote the pop song “Born Too Late” (recorded by The Poni-Tails) in 1958.
That same year, Strouse and Adams were hired by producer Edward Padula to write what eventually became Bye Bye Birdie. The show took home four 1961 Tonys, including Best Musical, earning Strouse his first of three trophies.
Together, Strouse and Adams would collaborate on the Mel Brooks musical All American (1962), Golden Boy (1963), and Applause (1970) for the stage. The duo also lent their talents to It’s a Bird...It’s a Plane... It’s Superman! (1965), which featured their song "You've Got Possibilities" (first recorded by Linda Lavin).
Strouse then worked with Martin Charnin and Thomas Meehan on the adaptation of Harold Gray’s comic strip, “Little Orphan Annie.” Annie (1977) would become his biggest success, garnering Strouse his third Tony Award and a Grammy Award for Best Cast Show Album. In addition to the hit “Tomorrow,” the score included “It’s the Hard–Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” and “I Don’t Need Anything But You.”
Beyond his previously mentioned collaborations, Strouse partnered with several other lyricists, including David Rogers for Charlie & Algernon (1980), Steven Schwartz for Rags (1986), and Richard Maltby, Jr. for Nick and Nora (1991).
Strouse’s film scores include Bonnie and Clyde (1967), The Night They Raided Minsky’s (1968), There Was a Crooked Man (1970), Sidney Lumet’s Just Tell Me What You Want, and the animated feature All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989).
Television audiences will recognize him for the All in the Family theme song, “Those Were the Days,” written with Adams.
Strouse is survived by his children, Benjamin Strouse, Nicholas Strouse, Victoria Strouse, William Strouse, and his eight grandchildren, Sam and Arthur Strouse, Navah Strouse, Vivian, Weston and Ever Brush, and Owen and Theodore Strouse.
A private funeral will be held in New York City.
