Jule Styne

Full Name: Julius Stein
Profession: Academy and Tony Award-Winning Songwriter

Nationality:

Biography: Jule Styne was an English-American songwriter and composer known for his significant contributions to Broadway and Hollywood. His career spanned both film and theater, producing memorable songs such as "Don't Rain on My Parade" and "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend."

Born Julius Kerwin Stein in London to Ukrainian immigrant parents, Styne moved to Chicago as a child. He exhibited musical talent early, performing with major symphonies before the age of ten. His first hit, Sunday (1926), came as a teenager, and by 1929 he played with the Ben Pollack band. In Hollywood, Styne was initially a vocal coach before transitioning to songwriting, encouraged by Darryl F. Zanuck.

Styne's success in Hollywood included creating hits with Frank Sinatra and lyricist Sammy Cahn, like It's Been a Long, Long Time (1945) and winning an Oscar for Three Coins in the Fountain (1954). Transitioning to Broadway, his first musical score was for High Button Shoes (1947).

Subsequent works included Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1949), Gypsy (1959), and Funny Girl (1964), among others. His collaborations with lyricists like Cahn, Leo Robin, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Stephen Sondheim, and Bob Merrill resulted in show-stopping performances by stars such as Carol Channing and Barbra Streisand.

Styne's compositions earned him entry into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 and the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1981. He won a Tony Award for Best Original Score for Hallelujah, Baby! (1968) and was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 1990.

Born: December 31, 1905
Birthplace: London, England, United Kingdom

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: September 20, 1994 (aged 88)