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Alan Bergman Dies at 99 After Shaping the Great American Songbook

He continued writing songs into his late 90s despite respiratory issues

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Composer Marvin Hamlisch, left, and lyricist Alan Bergman perform on stage at ASCAP's reception honoring Hamlisch, Bergman and his wife Marilyn Bergman at the Catalina Bar and Grill on Nov. 18, 2009, in Los Angeles.

Overview

  • Bergman died on July 17 at his Los Angeles home with his daughter Julie present, family spokesman Ken Sunshine confirmed
  • He earned three Academy Awards for “The Windmills of Your Mind,” “The Way We Were” and the song score for Yentl, along with multiple Emmy and Grammy wins
  • He and wife Marilyn Bergman sustained a six-decade partnership that produced iconic film songs and TV themes for series such as Maude, Good Times and Alice
  • He remained active creatively into his late 90s, completing nine songs with guitarist Pat Metheny set for release later this year
  • A September tribute concert at Santa Monica’s Broad Stage will honor his legacy with proceeds benefiting the ASCAP Foundation Alan and Marilyn Bergman Lyric Award