Alan Bergman, the legendary lyricist behind some of the most iconic songs in American film and television, has died at the age of 99. According to Variety, Bergman passed away peacefully on Thursday night at his home in Los Angeles.
Bergman, alongside his wife and creative partner Marilyn Bergman, crafted timeless lyrics that spanned over six decades. Their songs — including "The Windmills of Your Mind," "The Way We Were," and "In the Heat of the Night" — became deeply woven into the fabric of American pop culture.
Together, the Bergmans earned three Academy Awards:
- 1968: "The Windmills of Your Mind" (music by Michel Legrand) from The Thomas Crown Affair
- 1973: "The Way We Were" (music by Marvin Hamlisch)
- 1983: The song score for Yentl (music by Michel Legrand)
They also received 13 additional Oscar nominations, including beloved tracks like "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?", "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?", and "Papa, Can You Hear Me?"
Alan's wife, Marilyn Bergman, who passed away in January 2022, made history as the first female president and chairman of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).
The Bergmans' work bridged classic American songwriting traditions with modern cinematic music, leaving a lasting legacy across generations.
