James Van Heusen

James Van Heusen (January 26, 1913 - February 7, 1990), often credited as Jimmy Van Heusen, was an American composer. His greatest achievements came in writing songs for the movies and television: over the course of his career, he would win four Oscars and an Emmy.

Related Topics:
January 26 - 1913 - February 7 - 1990 - American - Composer

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Born Edward Chester Babcock in Syracuse, New York, Van Heusen began recording his songs in the 1930s. In the early 1940s, Van Heusen teamed up with lyricist Johnny Burke and wrote a number of songs for movies starring Bing Crosby, including "It's Always You" and "Swinging on a Star".

Related Topics:
Syracuse, New York - 1930s - 1940s - Lyricist - Johnny Burke - Movie - Bing Crosby

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By the 1950s he was working with a new lyricists, Sammy Cahn, and wrote a number of popular songs for television series, including "High Hopes" in 1959. His songs also were used for a number of major movies, including the 1949 version of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Rear Window, and the 1960 version of Ocean's Eleven. Van Heusen wrote a musical in 1965 entitled Skyscraper.

Related Topics:
1950s - Sammy Cahn - 1959 - 1949 - A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - Rear Window - 1960 - Ocean's Eleven - Musical - 1965 - Skyscraper

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He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song 14 times in 12 different years (in both 1946 and 1964 he was nominated for two songs), and won 4 times: in 1944, 1957, 1959, and 1963. He won an Emmy Award for "Best Musical Contribution" in 1956, and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1965.

Related Topics:
Academy Award for Best Song - 1946 - 1944 - 1957 - 1959 - 1963 - Emmy Award - Grammy Award

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Van Heusen retired in the late 1970s. His songs continue to be used in movies and television series today: Married... with Children used his "Love and Marriage" song for the series theme, and two of his songs were used for the soundtrack of American Beauty.

Related Topics:
1970s - Married... with Children - American Beauty

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He died in Rancho Mirage, California in 1990.

Related Topics:
Rancho Mirage - California

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