Richard and his brother Robert were named Disney Legends in 1990.
Legendary Disney composer Richard M. Sherman, known for “Mary Poppins” and “It’s a Small World,” among many other works, has died at the age of 95, the Walt Disney Company announced Saturday.
Sherman died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills from age-related illness, the company said.
Richard was part of an Academy Award-winning duo with the late Robert B. Sherman and is remembered as a “prolific composer and lyricist” and “a key member of Walt Disney’s inner circle of creative talent,” the company said in a press release.
“Richard Sherman embodied Disney lore and, along with his brother Robert, created beloved classics that have become part of the cherished soundtrack of our lives,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
“We are forever grateful for the mark Richard left on the world and offer our deepest condolences to his family,” Iger added.
The Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for their stylings on the 1964 classic film Mary Poppins: Best Original Score (Substantially Original) and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.”
“A song like ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ wouldn’t have happened without the genuine love of life that Richard shared with all who were fortunate enough to be close to him,” Pete Docter, chief creative officer at Pixar Animation Studios, said in a release. “Even in his 90s, he still had more energy and enthusiasm than most, and Richard’s joy for life was so contagious that I always came away feeling renewed.”
The brothers were named Disney Legends in 1990.
Richard’s 65-year career has been acclaimed, including nine Academy Award nominations, three Grammy Awards and 24 gold and platinum albums.
Visitors to Disney theme parks around the world know Sherman’s cherished songs “It’s a Small World,” “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” and “The Tiki Tiki Room.”
The Sherman Brothers’ discography also includes appearances in numerous popular films, such as “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” (1968), “Snoopy Come Home” (1972), “Charlotte’s Web” (1973), “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” (1973), “Huckleberry Finn” (1974) and “The Slipper and the Rose” (1976).
“The Sherman brothers were professional optimists who found the perfect patron in Walt Disney. There was a bright outlook in their songs that spilled over into Richard’s life, which was not without its problems and difficulties,” film historian, author and educator Leonard Maltin said in the release. “He was especially proud that he and his brother continued to pursue songwriting careers, just like their father, who encouraged them from an early age.”
Robert B. Sherman died in March 2012 at the age of 85.
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