Who is Marvin Hamlisch?

If you've ever watched the movies The Sting, The Spy Who Loved Me, or have seen the Broadway play A Chorus Line, then you most likely would recognize the musical contributions of Marvin Hamlisch. Hamlisch is an American born composer who is credited as the first person to win 3 Academy Awards in one night. According to The Internet Movie Database, he has been a part of the soundtrack for over 70 TV shows and films in his years of work. Songs such as "Nobody Does it Better" from the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, and "One" from A Chorus Line are sure to ring a bell, as Hamlisch was involved in creating both classics.

According to his Wikipedia entry, Marvin Hamlisch was born in New York June 2, 1944 and he's the first person to win 3 Academy Awards in one night. The Internet Movie Database lists over seventy TV shows and films which Hamlisch composed for. These have included music for hit movies The Sting in 1973, Sophie's Choice in 1982, A Streetcar Named Desire in 1984 and A Chorus Line in 1985. He also has won just about every major award that exists. His resume of awards achieved includes three Oscars, four Grammys, four Emmys, a Tony and three Golden Globe awards. His groundbreaking Broadway show, A Chorus Line, received the Pulitzer Prize in 1976 and was one of the longest running shows in theatre history with 6,137 performances.

His musical education started very early as he was accepted to Julliard at just age seven and began to study musical composition. Hamlisch received his early career break as a rehearsal pianist for Barbara Streisand, then graduated with his Bachelor of Arts from Queens College in 1968. From there his career really began in the 1970's, as he adapted Scott Joplin's ragtime music for the award-winning film, The Sting. This included the film's theme song, "The Entertainer". In 1973, Hamlisch made history, as he became the first person to win three Academy Awards in one night. He took home the awards for "Best Original Song" and "Best Original Dramatic Score" for The Way We Were, as well as "Best Original Song Score and/or Adaptation" for The Sting.

April 15, 1975 saw the debut of Hamlisch's legendary show A Chorus Line, which began in the Public Theater and later moved to Schubert Theatre in New York. It tells the tale of 17 gypsies desperate for work as they audition to be a part of the final eight member chorus line. Each member tells their tale from childhood up to adulthood. The play finishes with the final eight dancers selected and performing the hit song "One" as a chorus line. The play went on to win nine Tony Awards and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1975. According to the official website for A Chorus Line, it surpassed Grease in 1983 as the longest running show in Broadway History. The show's final 6,137^th performance was given on April 28, 1990. A revival of the show was started in October of 2006.

During the eighties, Hamlisch achieved award-winning success for scores on the films Ordinary People and Sophie's Choice. He also was nominated for an Academy Award in 1986 for a song included in a film adaptation of A Chorus Line. In the 90's Hamlisch worked as the Musical Director and arranger for Barbara Streisand's tours of the US and England, and her TV special "Barbra Streisand: The Concert". He has acted in several TV roles both as himself and other characters.

At age 63, Hamlisch continues to be a hardworking musical influence. He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame this year for his impressive body of work. Internet Movie Database indicates that most recently he has been a part of the soundtracks for the movies Lost in Translation, Charlies Angels: Full Throttle and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Hamlisch also worked on music for an episode of Ugly Betty (2007), the hit ABC television series. His Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra bio indicates that he currently serves as the Principal Pops Conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra (first one to hold this role) and the San Diego Symphony.

In the words of Hamlisch's legendary song, "One", he is "one singular sensation" who continues to contribute amazing music to film, television and the world as we know it.

References and Sources Cited:

Marvin Hamlisch Wikipedia

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Bio of Marvin Hamlisch

Internet Movie Database - Marvin Hamlisch

Marvin Hamlish Official Website

A Chorus Line, Official Website