Alan Bergman Remembered for Timeless Movie Songs \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Alan Bergman, Oscar-winning lyricist known for beloved film and television songs, has died at age 99. Bergman, who wrote alongside his late wife Marilyn, was a key figure in American songwriting for over six decades. Their credits include “The Way We Were,” “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” and themes for Maude and Good Times.
Quick Looks
- Alan Bergman died at home in Los Angeles at age 99.
- He continued writing songs until the very end, despite respiratory issues.
- Collaborated with his wife Marilyn Bergman until her death in 2022.
- The couple won 3 Oscars, 2 Grammys, and 4 Emmys.
- Wrote iconic hits: The Way We Were, It Might Be You, Windmills of Your Mind.
- Frequent collaborators included Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, and Michel Legrand.
- The duo earned 16 Academy Award nominations.
- Alan and Marilyn’s story was also a romantic musical partnership.
- The couple wrote for films, TV, Broadway, and symphonic works.
- A centennial tribute show will go on as scheduled in Santa Monica.
Deep Look
Alan Bergman, the master lyricist behind some of the most unforgettable love songs and film themes of the 20th century, has died at the age of 99. A towering figure in American music, Bergman—alongside his wife and writing partner Marilyn—crafted poetic lyrics that echoed through the golden age of Hollywood and deep into the collective memory of listeners worldwide.
Bergman died peacefully at his Los Angeles home on Thursday, according to family spokesperson Ken Sunshine. While the songwriter had experienced respiratory problems in recent months, he continued to write until his final days—a testament to his lifelong devotion to music and storytelling.
Together, Alan and Marilyn Bergman formed one of the most iconic duos in American songwriting. Their collaborative brilliance spanned decades and genres, with works that bridged Tin Pan Alley lyricism and modern pop sophistication. Their body of work reads like a love letter to the art of songwriting: cinematic, deeply emotional, and often autobiographical.
The Bergmans’ partnership, which began in marriage in 1958, lasted until Marilyn’s death in 2022. Over six decades, they penned the lyrics to hundreds of songs, many of which became cultural milestones. Their collaborations with composers like Marvin Hamlisch, Michel Legrand, Cy Coleman, and Quincy Jones yielded hits such as:
- “The Way We Were” – a signature song for Barbra Streisand and the top-selling single of 1974.
- “The Windmills of Your Mind” – an enigmatic classic that won an Oscar for The Thomas Crown Affair.
- “It Might Be You” – from Tootsie, a delicate ballad of romantic possibility.
- “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” – a duet for Streisand and Neil Diamond that still tugs at hearts.
Their ability to blend intimacy with universality made them go-to lyricists for emotionally resonant projects. From film scores to television themes (Maude, Good Times) and even Broadway (Ballroom), their words felt familiar—like they belonged to us all.
Their work was frequently honored at the Academy Awards, where they received 16 nominations and won three times. The Oscars in 1983 were particularly notable: three of the five Best Original Song nominees were written by the Bergmans. Streisand’s Yentl, which featured their lyrics and music by Hamlisch, won them one of those statues and further cemented their creative trio.
Barbra Streisand was not only a frequent collaborator but a close friend. Her 2011 album What Matters Most was dedicated entirely to Bergman compositions. Alan himself released Lyrically, Alan Bergman, where he performed his lyrics—proof of his ability to embody the songs he helped create.
Despite their fame among musicians and filmmakers, Alan and Marilyn Bergman lived modestly and away from the limelight. Their story was a quiet romance infused with shared vision. Born in the same Brooklyn hospital, raised in the same neighborhood, and educated in music and theater, they were destined to find each other—though they didn’t meet until both had moved to Los Angeles in 1950.
Their love story was musical in nature. When Alan wrote “That Face,” a song that Fred Astaire agreed to record—Marilyn’s favorite singer—he brought the acetate home and proposed. They married soon after, and their creative synergy never faded.
Their process was uniquely intimate. They often joked that songwriting was like housework: “one washes, one dries.” Alan once said they’d frequently come up with the same word at the same time, a sign of their unmatched connection.
Their lyrics weren’t just successful—they were often personal. Alan cited “A Love Like Ours” as among their most meaningful pieces, a quiet ballad that captured the spirit of their enduring bond.
Alan Bergman’s legacy will live on in sheet music and soundtracks, in heartfelt performances and nostalgic refrains, in the voices of Streisand, Sinatra, and countless others who gave life to his words. But more than anything, his lyrics remain stitched into the emotional fabric of generations—lyrics about love, loss, memory, and moments that seem frozen in time.
Alan is survived by his daughter, Julie Bergman, and a granddaughter. His centennial tribute will proceed as planned at The Broad Stage in Santa Monica, with tributes from artists like Michael Feinstein, Jackson Browne, and Patti Austin.
Alan and Marilyn Bergman once wrote, “When love like ours arrives, we guard it with our lives.” Through decades of music, they did just that—guarding their love, their art, and their legacy.
Alan Bergman Remembered Alan Bergman Remembered
