Rich McKay
(Reuters) – Richard Sherman, 95, the man behind the celebrity Disney songs that brought joy to generations such as “It’s a Small World (After All)” and Mary Poppins songs “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee” and “Spoon Full of Sugar” died Saturday, Walt Disney (NYSE: ) Co announced on its website.
He died at a hospital in Beverly Hills, California. The cause was listed only as “age-related illness,” Disney’s obituary said.
Sherman, along with his late brother Robert Sherman, was part of the famous songwriting team “The Sherman Brothers” and was considered part of Walt Disney’s inner creative circle.
Among non-Disney films, the Sherman Brothers wrote the songs for the popular 1968 children’s film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
The brothers were considered one of the most prolific lyricist composers of the era. They have written over 200 songs and received nine Academy Award nominations, won two Oscars and three Grammy Awards, and earned 24 gold and platinum albums over their decades-long career.
“Richard Sherman embodied what it means to be a Disney Legend, co-creating with his brother Robert a beloved classic that has become a treasured part of the soundtrack of our lives,” Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement.
Prior to his songwriting career, he studied music at Bard College and served in the U.S. Army, where he was conductor of the Army Band and Glee Club in the early 1950s.
In 2005, the brothers were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Three years later they were awarded the National Medal of Arts, presented at the White House.
He was preceded in death by Robert Sherman in 2012.
Sherman is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth, son Gregory and numerous other relatives. Civil service plans have not been announced.