Disney songwriter Richard M Sherman dies aged 95
Composer Richard M. Sherman, known for creating songs for Disney classics like “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” has died at the age of 95 in Beverly Hills.
Sherman collaborated with his late brother, Robert, and together they won two Oscars in 1965 for their work on “Mary Poppins.”
Among the brothers’ most famous compositions are “Trust in Me” from “The Jungle Book” and “Truly Scrumptious” from “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
Disney announced Sherman’s death in a statement, saying he passed away from age-related illness at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The Sherman brothers were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and were awarded the US National Medal of the Arts in 2008.
Their music also featured in other Disney productions such as “The Aristocats,” “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” and the “Winnie the Pooh” shorts.
The brothers’ story was depicted in the 2013 film “Saving Mr. Banks,” which chronicles the making of “Mary Poppins.”
Released one year after his brother’s death, in March 2012, the film saw actors Jason Schwartzman and B. J. Novak play the two brothers as they composed and co-wrote the film’s hit songs.
Their catchy and energetic song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” became a pop hit, entering the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965.
Across his 65-year career, Sherman became part of Walt Disney’s “inner circle of creative talents”, the entertainment company said.
He was born in New York City on 12 June 1928 won three Grammy awards and received 24 gold and platinum albums, the Disney statement added.
His service to the art industry also led to a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
As reported by US media, the Sherman brothers wrote more than 150 songs at Disney, including scores for the 1961 film Parent Trap, which had a new lease of life in 1998 starring a young Lindsay Lohan.
Sherman continued to play an active role in producing musical scores at his advanced age. In 2023, he wrote a new song with composer Fabrizio Mancinelli for Disney Legend Andreas Deja’s animated short film Mushka.
Sherman is survived by his wife Elizabeth Sherman, his children, and grandchildren.
His funeral will take place on 31 May in California.
