Alan Bergman, Oscar-Winning Lyricist, Dies At 99
Alan Bergman, one of Hollywood's most celebrated lyricists, passed away on Thursday night (July 17) at his Los Angeles home. He was 99. A family spokesperson confirmed the news on Friday, noting that Bergman had been dealing with respiratory issues in recent months but continued writing songs until his final days.
Bergman, along with his wife and creative partner Marilyn Bergman, created some of the most iconic songs in film and television history. The couple married in 1958 and remained together both professionally and personally until Marilyn's death in 2022. Together, they penned hundreds of songs that became enduring classics, leaving an unmistakable mark on American music.
Their partnership spanned decades and included collaborations with top composers like Marvin Hamlisch, Quincy Jones, Michel Legrand, and Cy Coleman. The Bergmans' lyrics became the voice of cinematic emotion, with their songs performed by legends such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Michael Jackson, and their longtime friend Barbra Streisand.
Among their most cherished works are The Way We Were, How Do You Keep the Music Playing?, It Might Be You, and You Don't Bring Me Flowers. Their music also made its way into television, writing theme songs for shows like Maude and Good Times. Notable film contributions included The Windmills of Your Mind from The Thomas Crown Affair, In the Heat of the Night, and It Might Be You from Tootsie.
The Way We Were, recorded by Streisand for the 1973 romantic drama of the same name, became an anthem of nostalgia and longing. Its opening lines — 'Memories / light the corners of my mind…" — have become some of the most recognizable lyrics in pop culture. The song topped charts in 1974 and earned the Bergmans one of their three Academy Awards. In total, they received 16 Oscar nominations.
Beyond the Oscars, their accolades included two Grammys, four Emmys, and several lifetime achievement awards. Streisand even released an album in 2011 dedicated to their work titled What Matters Most, while Alan Bergman himself recorded a solo album, Lyrically, Alan Bergman.
Though best known for their work in film, the Bergmans also wrote for Broadway (Ballroom) and composed lyrics for the symphony Visions of America. Their legacy continues through the timeless songs that captured the hearts of generations.
First Published:
July 19, 2025, 10:50 IST
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