Alan Bergman, Oscar-Winning Lyricist, Dies at 99

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Three-time Oscar-winning lyricist Alan Bergman, who collaborated extensively with his late wife Marilyn Bergman to create one of the most esteemed songwriting pairs in film history, passed away at the age of 99.

Legendary songwriter Hal David, known for timeless hits like “The Windmills of Your Mind” (which was beautifully utilized in the final episode of Severance’s second season), “Nice ‘n’ Easy,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” and “The Way We Were,” passed away peacefully on Thursday evening at his Los Angeles residence. His daughter, producer Julie Bergman Sender, confirmed the news to The Hollywood Reporter.

Marilyn Bergman died in January 2022 of respiratory failure at age 93.

The couple of songwriters displayed extraordinary skill when collaborating with Barbra Streisand, Marvin Hamlisch, and Michel Legrand on their songs.

They were awarded Academy Awards for the original songs “The Way We Were” (alongside Hamlisch) from the 1973 film of the same name as well as “Windmills of Your Mind” (with Legrand) from the 1968 movie The Thomas Crown Affair. They also received an award for their score in the 1983 film Yentl starring Streisand.

They encountered Streisand, a fellow resident of Brooklyn, during her performances at a New York club when she was still a teenager, prior to her fame in the 1968 film Funny Girl. They composed songs for her, among which was “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” written in collaboration with Neil Diamond. (Streisand and Diamond later performed this song as a duet following popular demand, after they recorded it separately.)

Streisand also recorded their songs “On Rainy Afternoons,” “One Day” and “After the Rain.”

The Bergmans and Hamlisch received a Grammy Award for their work on the album “The Way We Were“, and they also earned an Oscar nomination together for the song “The Last Time I Felt Like This” from “Same Time, Next Year” (1978).

In addition to their nominations for the Oscar, they were also recognized for collaborative works: “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” from the 1969 film “The Happy Ending”, “Pieces of Dreams” from the 1970 movie with the same name, “All His Children” from the 1970 film “Sometimes a Great Notion”, and “Marmalade, Molasses and Honey” from the 1972 film “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean”. They collaborated on these pieces with Legrand, Henry Mancini, and Maurice Jarre respectively.

I’m the one who crafted the words for Ray Charles’ iconic tune that kicks off “In the Heat of the Night” (1967), a masterpiece with music by Quincy Jones. I also penned several songs for Sergio Mendes, including the lyrics to “Look Around.

From 1969 to 1974, the Bergmans earned an Oscar nomination every single year. They won three awards in 1983, followed by another three the next year. In total, they were nominated a grand total of sixteen times and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.

They additionally composed the verses for the introductory theme songs of shows like “Bracken’s World”, “Maude”, “Good Times”, “Alice” and “Brooklyn Bridge”. Throughout their career, they earned three Emmy Awards.

During the process of making something, there may be numerous instances where you encounter seemingly foolish or absurd ideas, according to Alan. These can serve as triggers for collaboration. He learned to express whatever thoughts occurred to him freely.

Bergman encountered Marilyn Katz in 1956, and on their initial encounter, they collaborated to compose a song, “I Never Knew What Hit Me,” which they both admitted was less than impressive. Two years later, they tied the knot. Interestingly enough, they were both born in the same Brooklyn hospital, with Bergman preceding her by three years; Barbra Streisand also hails from the Jewish Hospital. Despite growing up in close proximity, they did not cross paths until they had relocated westward.

Following the composition of a song, it was often Alan who would perform the piece for the artist being approached, and in 2007, he released an album featuring their melodies, credited as ‘Lyricist: Alan Bergman’.

Alan Bergman was born on September 11, 1925. His father being a salesman, he pursued his education at the University of North Carolina, majoring in music and theater arts, and later earned his master’s degree from UCLA. During World War II, he served, creating and directing Special Services programs.

After the war, Bergman took up work at CBS in Philadelphia as a television director. During his tenure, he encountered the renowned lyricist, vocalist, and composer Johnny Mercer, who inspired him to compose songs. Subsequently, Bergman penned tunes for Marge Champion and Gower Champion, and orchestrated performances for Jo Stafford.

Mercer persuaded Bergman to return to Los Angeles, and the lyricist met Marilyn at a party thanks to composer Lew Spence. Later, all three collaborated on several projects: “That Face” with Fred Astaire in 1957, “Sleep Warm” with Dean Martin in 1958, and “Nice ‘n’ Easy” with Frank Sinatra in 1960. Notably, “That Face” was also the gift Alan presented to Marilyn as an engagement present.

Bergman spent four terms leading the educational and cultural division of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is commonly known as the Academy Foundation.

Besides his daughter, who worked as a film producer on titles such as Major League, G.I. Jane, The Fabulous Baker Boys, and Six Days Seven Nights, Bergman is also survived by his granddaughter, Emily.

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2025-07-18 18:24