BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
Full Name: Carolyn Paula Rosnenthal
Description: Songwriter, Lyrisist, USA
Known For: Known for writning – “Young at Heart” – “Witchcraft”
Instruments: Vocals
Location: NY, United States of America
Date Born: 21st August 1926
Location Born: New York City, New York, United States of America
Date Died: 19th November 1983
Location Died: New York City, New York, United States of America
Cause Of Death: Heart Failure
CONTACT DETAILS
Web Site: Bio on Songwriters Hall of Fame site
YOUTUBE VIDEO
BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
Carolyn Leigh
Carolyn Leigh (August 21, 1926 – November 19, 1983) was an American lyricist for Broadway, movies, and popular songs. Lyrist of the fifties, some of the most famous songs were “Young at Heart” – “Witchcraft”.
An American lyricist and composer for Broadway and movies. She is best known as the writer with partner Cy Coleman of the pop standards “Witchcraft” and “The Best Is Yet to Come.” With Johnny Richards she wrote the million-seller “Young at Heart” for the film of the same name, starring Frank Sinatra.
Leigh, born in the Bronx, New York, graduated from Hunter College High School, Queens College and New York University, and worked as a copy writer for radio stations and advertising agencies.
Her lyrics for Broadway shows include Peter Pan, Wildcat, Little Me, and How Now, Dow Jones. The last was derived from an original idea of Leigh’s, though Max Shulman wrote the script. At the time of her death, she was working with Marvin Hamlisch on the musical Smile. She provided lyrics for the scores to the films The Cardinal in 1963 and Father Goose in 1964. Leigh died on November 19, 1983 of a heart attack. She was divorced from David Cunningham, Jr. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985.
Tony Award nominations
Little Me (1963) – Tony Award for Best Original Score
How Now, Dow Jones (1968) – Tony Award for Best Original Score
Some of the most famous songs
were “Young at Heart” – “Witchcraft”.
Songs include.
“The Best is Yet To Come”
“Young at Heart”
“How Little We Know”
“Westport”
“Spring in Maine”
“The Rules of the Road”
“Firefly”
“Witchcraft”
“I’m Flying”
“Hey, Look Me Over”
“Tall Hopes”
“El Sombrero”
“It Amazes Me”
“The Other Side of the Tracks”
“Real Live Girl”
“Here’s to Us”
“Stay With Me”
LINKS:
- Bio
on Songwriters Hall of Fame site
- Internet Broadway Database listing
- Internet Movie Database listing
- Carolyn Leigh papers, 1944-1985
, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
- Carolyn Leigh scores, 1910-1982
, held by the Music Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts