Jerry Herman

La Cage aux Folles, Mame & Hello, Dolly! composer Jerry Herman dies at the age of 88

Tom Millward
Tom Millward

The New York Theatre Guide is saddened to learn of the passing of legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman, who died yesterday at the age of 88 in Miami, Florida, due to pulmonary complications.

Herman was the recipient of a 2009 special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, thanks to a stellar career that included Tony Award wins for his scores of Hello, Dolly! in 1964 and La Cage aux Folles in 1984. The talented composer and lyricist's résumé also includes the 1966 musical Mame and 1974's Mack & Mabel, alongside his lesser known works such as Milk and HoneyDear World, and The Grand Tour.

His list of accolades also includes two Grammy Awards - for 'Song of the Year' for "Hello, Dolly!" in 1964 and for 'Best Score From An Original Cast Show Album' for Mame in 1966 - and the coveted Kennedy Center Honors in 2010.

A proud New Yorker and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Herman was living with his partner, real estate broker Terry Marler, at the time of his death. His song "I Am What I Am" from La Cage aux Folles became an anthem for the gay community since the mid-1980s.

 

Originally published on

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