Marilyn Bergman, a Grammy, Emmy, Grammy and Oscar winner for her song lyrics has passed away at 93. She died at her home in Los Angeles on Saturday morning at 1:15 AM PST. Her husband, Alan Bergman, and Julie Bergman were by her side. Cause of death was not COVID-related, but respiratory failure.
Bergman was an award-winning lyricist who won four Emmy Awards as well as three Academy Awards, four Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards.
Marilyn was able to win Oscars for her songs in collaboration with Alan. “The Windmills of Your Mind,” “The Way We Were”And for the score Yentl.The Bergmans were nominated 16 times for their songs since 1968, their first Oscar nomination. “It Might Be You”Starting at Totosie, “How Do You Keep The Music Playing?”Starting at Best Friends, “Papa Can You Hear Me?”And “The Way He Makes Me Feel”Starting at Yentl,And “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”Starting at The happy ending.
The Emmys were awarded Sybil, Queen Of The Stardust Ballroom and Ordinary Miracles AndThe ticket to your dreams.They were nominated in 1986 for a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award and a Grammy Award. “Moonlight,”Sting did the Sydney Pollack film. Sabrina.Their main collaborators were John Williams, Dave Grusin and Quincy Jones. James Newton Howard, James Newton Howard (Michel Legrand), Johnny Mandel, Cy Coleman and Henry Mancini.
Barbra Straitand paid tribute by recording a Grammy-nominated 2011 album of their songs, entitled “Barbra Streisand”. “What Matters Most.”A new compilation of their work was released in 2019, “Frank Sinatra sings Alan and Marilyn Bergman.”
Marilyn was an activist and a political leader in her own right. In 1974, the America Film Institute (AFI) created the Women’s Directing Workshop. Marilyn, along with Anne Bancroft, Dyan Cannon, and Randa Haines, were invited to participate in the class of ‘75.
Marilyn and ten other women founded the political PAC in 1984. “The Hollywood Women’s Political Committee (HWPC),”It raised millions of dollars to support Democratic candidates. It was called the “The”. “single most powerful entertainment group in politics.”
Marilyn was the first woman elected on the board of directors of American Society of Authors and Publishers in 1985. After five terms of service as a board member she was elected to the office of president and chairman. Marilyn was appointed in the same year to the US Department of Commerce Private Sector Advisory Council (National Information Infrastructure) and was the only creative artist.
Marilyn Resigns in April 2009 after 15 years of service as ASCAP chairman and president. She continues to serve as Board Emeritus.
Marilyn was president of CISAC (the International Confederation of Performing Right Societies) for two terms (1994 and 1998). In 1996, she received France’s highest cultural honor, Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters Medal. In 1998, she received the Cultural Medal of Honor (SGAE) from the Spanish performing rights society. Marilyn was named the first Chairman of the Library of Congress National Academy Sound Recording Preservation Board.
Marilyn produced and co-wrote the acclaimed 1986 film with Alan in 1986. “One Voice” concert, starring Barbra Streisand. Opening ceremonies were also penned by the Bergmans. “An American Reunion,”The Bill Clinton presidential inauguration celebrations were held at Lincoln Memorial. They were aired on HBO in93.
They wrote the iconic Barbra Streisand concert and HBO special in 1994. For this, they were nominated as Cable Ace Award nominees. Their song was also nominated for a Cable Ace Award as well as an Emmy Award. “Ordinary Miracles”The HBO special Barbra Streisand: The Concert.
Marilyn was also the executive producer of the PBS Special The Music Makers: An ASCAP Celebration of American Music at Wolf TrapShe was a regular guest on many talk shows, panels, and hosted the PBS special. Songs for women
Marilyn and Alan collaborated with Joshua Ravetch, playwright for an original play with music. Chasing Mem’ries,It premiered at Geffen Playhouse in 2017 An album was released in 2018 by Michel Legrand. Between Yesterday and Today-The Life Cycle for a Woman.They have recently written two more filmsongs. One of the songs was co-written with Michel Legrand. “Hurry Home”Max Rose and Dave Grusin. “Just Getting Started,”For If You’re Not in the Obit: Eat Breakfast.
Dr. BIlly Taylor was the Kennedy Center’s artistic director for Jazz. Marilyn and Alan were commissioned to write in 2001 by Dr. BIlly Taylor. “a jazz song cycle”Collaboration with Cy Coleman Portraits in Jazz: A Gallery of SongsThe Kennedy Center performed the show in May 2002 to high critical acclaim. The show, Up Close and Personal,expanded with text by Larry Gelbart, had a highly successful run at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.
Five songs were born out of the collaboration between Roger Kellaway and Bergmans. Visions of AmericaJoe Sohm is a renowned photographer who created this photo symphony to celebrate the sights, sounds and colors of America. It was first performed in 2009 by the Philadelphia Pops Orchestra. In 2012, it was performed by Boston Pops with vocalists Steve Tyrell and Patti Austin.
Marilyn was a member of both the executive committee of Music Branch of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and also a member of Songwriters Hall of Fame’s board of directors. She is also a member of The Streisand Foundation’s board of directors.
Others achievements include:
1980 saw her induct into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
1995: She was honored with a National Academy of Songwriters Lifetime Achievement Award, and an honorary doctorate at the Berklee College of Music.
In 1996, Marilyn received the first Fiorello Lifetime Achievement Award from New York’s LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and the Performing Arts where she was an alumnus.
Marilyn and Alan were awarded the Songwriters Hall of Fame Johnny Mercer Award in 1997. Trinity College awarded them honorary doctorates in 1998.
They were awarded the Creative Arts Award by The Kaufman Cultural Center, and the National Music Publishers Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2002, they were honored with the Governor’s Award from The National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.
They were awarded the Johnny Mercer Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
Marilyn and Alan won the World Soundtrack Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 from Flanders.
2008 was the year that honorary doctorates were bestowed by the University of Massachusetts
The Savannah Film Festival awarded them lifetime achievement honors in 2009.
Marilyn and Alan were inducted into The Great American Songbook Hall of Fame.
They each received Trustee Awards by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2013.
Marilyn was a music major at New York’s High School of Music and Art and went on to study Psychology and English at NYU. After graduating from college, she moved to Los Angeles where she continued the musical thread that she had started in her life. She met Alan in 1956 and began a long and successful partnership in work and life.
Marilyn is survived her husband Alan Bergman, her daughter Julie Bergman and their son-in-law iLan Azoulai and her granddaughter Emily Sender.