Biography
Along with his wife,
Marilyn Bergman, lyricist/songwriter Alan Bergman has composed many popular songs -- mostly love songs -- for stage musicals, movies, and television programs; their work has earned them Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, and Grammys. Hailing from Brooklyn, Bergman started out directing kiddie shows on television in the early '50s. Much later in the decade he and Marilyn became a songwriting duo and in 1958 married each other. Many major talents of the '60s sang Bergman songs, including
Bing Crosby,
Barbra Streisand,
Sarah Vaughan, and Johnny Mathis. Television scores include
Maude (1972-1978) and
Good Times (1974-1979). Their scoring for the television outings
Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) and
Sybil (1976) earned them two Emmys. Some of their best-loved film hits include the haunting "The Windmills of Your Mind" (music composed by
Michel Legrand) from
The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) and "The Way We Were" (with
Marvin Hamlisch) from the 1973 film of the same name. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide