Photo: Distributed by NBC (Motown). Photographer uncredited and unknown. / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Alan Jay Lerner was born on August 31, 1918 in New York City, New York, United States and was credited as a screenwriter, librettist and writer. Death is recorded on June 14, 1986, at the age of 67. Education on record includes Harvard University. Recorded honors include Grammy Trustees Award (1997), Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay (1952), Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (1959) and 5 more.
My Take
Lerner belongs to that rare class of artists whose words you know by heart without ever knowing his name. Partnering with Frederick Loewe, he gave musical theatre some of its most quotable lyrics, and the trophy shelf, three Oscars, three Tonys, a Grammy, confirms what the ear already tells you. What strikes me most is his discipline as a craftsman of language: a single well-turned line can do the work of an entire scene. The Harvard education shows in the wit, but the warmth is all his own. Decades after his death in 1986, his lyrics still earn their keep on stages worldwide.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Alan Jay Lerner
- Name (Japanese)
- アラン・ジェイ・ラーナー
- Reading
- あらん・じぇい・らーなー
- Born
- August 31, 1918 – June 14, 1986
- Origin
- New York City, New York, United States
- Occupation
- screenwriter / librettist / writer / biographer / lyricist
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Horse
2. Background
- University
- Harvard University
Awards & achievements
- 1997 Grammy Trustees Award
- 1952 Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay
- 1959 Academy Award for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay
- Kennedy Center Honors
- 1985 Johnny Mercer Award
- 1966 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album
- 1959 Academy Award for Best Original Song
- 1957 Tony Award for Best Musical
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Only publicly available facts are listed; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. Base data was compiled from Wikidata from June 2026 onward; ages are recalculated daily and deaths are checked against Wikidata on an ongoing basis. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Alan Jay Lerner born?
Alan Jay Lerner was born on August 31, 1918.
When did Alan Jay Lerner die?
Alan Jay Lerner died on June 14, 1986, aged 67.
Where was Alan Jay Lerner from?
Alan Jay Lerner was from New York City, New York, United States.
What did Alan Jay Lerner do?
Alan Jay Lerner worked as screenwriter, librettist, writer, biographer, lyricist.
Where did Alan Jay Lerner study?
Alan Jay Lerner attended Harvard University.
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