Born in Braddock, Pennsylvania. Songwriter whose songs were first used in film with THE FORWARD PASS (1929, uncredited) at First National Pictures. Other notable film credits include music and songs for NO, NO NANETTE and LILIES OF THE FIELD (both 1930), THE GAY DIVORCÉE and GIFT OF GAB (both 1934), GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS and KING SOLOMON OF BROADWAY (both 1935), THE GREAT ZIEGFELD, I'D GIVE MY LIFE and HATS OFF (all 1936), IT CAN'T LAST FOREVER and LIFE OF THE PARTY (both 1937), RADIO CITY REVELS (1938), GLAMOUR FOR SALE (1940), SLEEPYTIME GAL and FOOTLIGHT SERENADE (both 1942, both uncredited), HERS TO HOLD (1943), MUSIC IN MANHATTAN and ROSIE THE RIVETER (both 1944), SING YOUR WAY HOME (1945), DO YOU LOVE ME (1946), SONG OF THE THIN MAN (1947) and MAKE MINE LAUGHS (1949). His song "The Continental," with music by Con Conrad, won the first Oscar® for Best Song (1934).  Music (Best Song) 1934: THE GAY DIVORCÉE "The Continental"- Lyric  Nominated for Music (Best Song) 1943: HERS TO HOLD "Say a Prayer for the Boys Over There"- Lyric  Nominated for Music (Best Song) 1945: SING YOUR WAY HOME "I'll Buy That Dream"- Lyric 3 nominations