Film, TV composer and music editor. Born John Leonard Strauss in New York, on April 28, 1920, he took an early interest in music, and began piano lessons as a boy. Later, he served in the United States Army in both North Africa and France during World War II. Soon after, he studied at Yale University with Paul Hindemith following the end of the war. In the years that followed, Strauss married actress Charlotte Rae on November 4, 1951.
As a television/film composer and music editor, Strauss co-wrote the theme song for the NBC TV series, "Car 54, Where Are You?", with collaborator Nat Hiken. He also wrote the theme song for 1950s TV hit, "The Phil Silvers Show".
Strauss was nomintated for an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special for 1976's "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble". The following year, Strauss earned an Emmy Award Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special, "The Amazing Howard Hughes".
Later, Strauss earned a Grammy Award for his work as the producer of the soundtrack for the 1984 acclaimed feature film, "Amadeus". Strauss appeared briefly in "Amadeus", appearing briefly on screen as a conductor, complete with powdered wig. He also frequently collaborated with director Woody Allen in his films, including "Bananas", "Take the Money and Run" in 1969, and "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)" in 1972. Other film collaborations include “Hair,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Zoot Suit” and “Ragtime.”
By 1976, Strauss came out as gay, and soon after divorced his actress wife Charlotte Rae. The couple had two sons, Larry and son Andrew, who born autistic, died some years ago.
The later years of his life were with partner, Lionel Friedman, who died in 2003. A longtime resident of Los Angeles, Strauss died in that city on February 14, 2011, of complications of Parkinson's disease, at the age of 90, survived by his son, Larry Strauss.
As a television/film composer and music editor, Strauss co-wrote the theme song for the NBC TV series, "Car 54, Where Are You?", with collaborator Nat Hiken. He also wrote the theme song for 1950s TV hit, "The Phil Silvers Show".
Strauss was nomintated for an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special for 1976's "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble". The following year, Strauss earned an Emmy Award Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special, "The Amazing Howard Hughes".
Later, Strauss earned a Grammy Award for his work as the producer of the soundtrack for the 1984 acclaimed feature film, "Amadeus". Strauss appeared briefly in "Amadeus", appearing briefly on screen as a conductor, complete with powdered wig. He also frequently collaborated with director Woody Allen in his films, including "Bananas", "Take the Money and Run" in 1969, and "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)" in 1972. Other film collaborations include “Hair,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Zoot Suit” and “Ragtime.”
By 1976, Strauss came out as gay, and soon after divorced his actress wife Charlotte Rae. The couple had two sons, Larry and son Andrew, who born autistic, died some years ago.
The later years of his life were with partner, Lionel Friedman, who died in 2003. A longtime resident of Los Angeles, Strauss died in that city on February 14, 2011, of complications of Parkinson's disease, at the age of 90, survived by his son, Larry Strauss.
Film, TV composer and music editor. Born John Leonard Strauss in New York, on April 28, 1920, he took an early interest in music, and began piano lessons as a boy. Later, he served in the United States Army in both North Africa and France during World War II. Soon after, he studied at Yale University with Paul Hindemith following the end of the war. In the years that followed, Strauss married actress Charlotte Rae on November 4, 1951.
As a television/film composer and music editor, Strauss co-wrote the theme song for the NBC TV series, "Car 54, Where Are You?", with collaborator Nat Hiken. He also wrote the theme song for 1950s TV hit, "The Phil Silvers Show".
Strauss was nomintated for an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special for 1976's "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble". The following year, Strauss earned an Emmy Award Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special, "The Amazing Howard Hughes".
Later, Strauss earned a Grammy Award for his work as the producer of the soundtrack for the 1984 acclaimed feature film, "Amadeus". Strauss appeared briefly in "Amadeus", appearing briefly on screen as a conductor, complete with powdered wig. He also frequently collaborated with director Woody Allen in his films, including "Bananas", "Take the Money and Run" in 1969, and "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)" in 1972. Other film collaborations include “Hair,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Zoot Suit” and “Ragtime.”
By 1976, Strauss came out as gay, and soon after divorced his actress wife Charlotte Rae. The couple had two sons, Larry and son Andrew, who born autistic, died some years ago.
The later years of his life were with partner, Lionel Friedman, who died in 2003. A longtime resident of Los Angeles, Strauss died in that city on February 14, 2011, of complications of Parkinson's disease, at the age of 90, survived by his son, Larry Strauss.
As a television/film composer and music editor, Strauss co-wrote the theme song for the NBC TV series, "Car 54, Where Are You?", with collaborator Nat Hiken. He also wrote the theme song for 1950s TV hit, "The Phil Silvers Show".
Strauss was nomintated for an Emmy for Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special for 1976's "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble". The following year, Strauss earned an Emmy Award Outstanding Achievement in Film Sound Editing for a Special, "The Amazing Howard Hughes".
Later, Strauss earned a Grammy Award for his work as the producer of the soundtrack for the 1984 acclaimed feature film, "Amadeus". Strauss appeared briefly in "Amadeus", appearing briefly on screen as a conductor, complete with powdered wig. He also frequently collaborated with director Woody Allen in his films, including "Bananas", "Take the Money and Run" in 1969, and "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)" in 1972. Other film collaborations include “Hair,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Zoot Suit” and “Ragtime.”
By 1976, Strauss came out as gay, and soon after divorced his actress wife Charlotte Rae. The couple had two sons, Larry and son Andrew, who born autistic, died some years ago.
The later years of his life were with partner, Lionel Friedman, who died in 2003. A longtime resident of Los Angeles, Strauss died in that city on February 14, 2011, of complications of Parkinson's disease, at the age of 90, survived by his son, Larry Strauss.
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