John Morris (composer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Morris
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Morris in 2015
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John Leonard Morris
October 18, 1926 Elizabeth, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Died | January 25, 2018 (aged 91) Red Hook, New York, U.S.
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| Occupation | film composer |
| Years active | 1963 – 2004 |
| Spouse(s) | Francesca Bosetti (1949-2018; his death) |
| Children | 2 |
John Leonard Morris (born October 18, 1926 – died January 25, 2018) was a talented American composer. He wrote music for many films, television shows, and Broadway plays. He was also a conductor and a trained concert pianist. John Morris is best known for working closely with famous filmmakers Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder.
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Growing Up
John Morris was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His dad, Thomas Morris, was an engineer. His mom, Helen Sherratt, was a homemaker. John loved music from a very young age. He started playing the piano when he was just three years old!
His family moved to Independence, Kansas, when he was young. He kept studying piano there. Later, he moved back to New York City. He studied music at two famous schools: Juilliard School and The New School for Social Research.
Making Music for Movies and Shows
From the 1950s to the 1970s, John Morris wrote music for many Broadway shows. These included popular musicals like Wildcat and Baker Street. He even wrote his own musical called A Time for Singing in 1966.
Working with Mel Brooks
John Morris became very famous for his work with director Mel Brooks. They first worked together on a musical before Brooks' first movie. Morris helped compose music for Brooks' first film, The Producers. He even arranged the original music for the famous song "Springtime for Hitler" in that movie.
Morris continued to work with Mel Brooks on twenty of his films! These movies include many classics like Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Elephant Man. For Blazing Saddles, he was nominated for an Oscar for the film's theme song. For Young Frankenstein, he wrote the famous "Transylvanian Lullaby." He was also nominated for a Grammy and an Oscar for his music in The Elephant Man.
Mel Brooks said about John Morris: "He was my emotional right arm. Music tells you what to feel and he knew what I wanted you to feel. He composed it and made it happen."
Other Film and TV Work
John Morris also wrote music for films made by actors who worked with Mel Brooks. These included movies by Gene Wilder, such as The Woman in Red and Haunted Honeymoon. He also scored films for Marty Feldman, like The Last Remake of Beau Geste.
Besides movies, Morris composed music for several TV shows. He wrote the theme songs for The French Chef and Coach. He even won a Daytime Emmy Award for his music in the TV miniseries The Tap Dance Kid.
Later Life and Passing
John Morris was married to Francesca Bosetti. They had two children, a son named Evan and a daughter named Bronwen. His son Evan passed away in 2014.
John Morris died on January 25, 2018, at his home in Red Hook, New York. He was 91 years old and passed away due to problems from a respiratory infection. He is remembered for his amazing contributions to film and television music.
Filmography
- The Blackwater Lightship (2004) (TV)
- The Lady in Question (1999) (TV)
- Murder in a Small Town (1999) (TV)
- Ellen Foster (1997) (TV)
- World War II: When Lions Roared (1994) (TV)
- Scarlett (1994) (TV)
- Life Stinks (1991)
- Stella (1990)
- Coach (composer: main theme) (1989–97)
- Second Sight (1989)
- The Wash (1988)
- Dirty Dancing (1987)
- Ironweed (1987)
- Spaceballs (1987)
- Haunted Honeymoon (1986)
- Clue (1985)
- The Doctor and the Devils (1985)
- Johnny Dangerously (1984)
- The Woman in Red (1984)
- To Be or Not to Be (1983)
- Yellowbeard (1983)
- Table for Five (1983)
- History of the World: Part I (1981)
- The Elephant Man (1980, Oscar nomination)
- In God We Tru$t (1980)
- The Scarlet Letter (PBS mini-series 1979/80)
- The In-Laws (1979)
- High Anxiety (1977)
- The World's Greatest Lover (1977)
- The Last Remake of Beau Geste (1977)
- Silent Movie (1976)
- The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975)
- Blazing Saddles (1974)
- Young Frankenstein (1974)
- Bank Shot (1974)
- The Twelve Chairs (1970)
- The Gamblers (1970)
- The Producers (1967)
- A Time for Singing (Broadway Musical, 1966)
- The French Chef (second theme) (1963)
See also
In Spanish: John Morris (compositor) para niños
