Born in Boston, Massachusetts. While working as an office boy at the Boston Opera House, he acted as an accompanist for rehearsals. Later became a song plugger and eventually an executive for various music-publishing houses. He then began composing songs, including such hits as "I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby," "I'm in the Mood for Love," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "I Love to Whistle," "It's a Most Unusual Day," and "Singin' the Blues." His first Broadway success was Blackbirds of 1928. Several other Broadway shows followed. Working mainly with lyricists Dorothy Fields, Harold Adamson Johnny Mercer and Herb Magdison, he composed many songs for Hollywood films from 1929. He made a guest appearance in THE HELEN MORGAN STORY (1957), which featured many of his songs.  Nominated for Music Best Song 1935: ROBERTA "Lovely to Look At" -- Lyrics (w. Dorothy Fields)  Nominated for Music Best Song 1938: THAT CERTAIN AGE "My Own" -- Music  Nominated for Music Best Song 1940: YOU'LL FIND OUT "I'd Know You Anywhere" -- Music  Nominated for Music Best Song 1943: HERS TO HOLD "Say a Prayer for the Boys Over There" -- Music  Nominated for Music Best Song 1944: HIGHER AND HIGHER "I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night" -- Music 5 nominations