Born in Hartford, Connecticut. Academy Award-winning songwriter ("Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" [1947]), composer and author, educated in public schools and then a writer of special material for Sophie Tucker, Harry Richman and Buddy Rogers. He came to Hollywood in 1939 and wrote for Earl Carroll, then signed for 3 1/2 years with Walt Disney. Joining ASCAP in 1946, his chief musical collaborators included Hoagy Carmichael, Ted Fiorito, Allie Wrubel, Eddie Sauter, and Paul Nero. His other popular-song compositions included "You Belong to My Heart", "That's a-Plenty", "Sooner or Later", "The Hot Canary", "Cuanto le Gusta", "My Fickle Eye", "All the Cats Join In", "The Three Caballeros", "Everybody Has a Laughing Place", "Bahia", "Muskrat Ramble", "Johnny Fedora and Alice Blue Bonnet", "I want a Zoot Suit", "Whistle Your Way Back Home", "Ashcan Parade", "Vene, Veno, Vena", "And Roses and Roses", "Cherry", "Two Silhouettes", "Casey at the Bat", "Bonita", "She's a Carioca", "Dindi" and "If You Went Away". He was married to actress Janis Paige from 1962 until his death from complications from open heart surgery in 1976.  Music Best Song 1947: SONG OF THE SOUTH "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" - Lyric 1 nomination, 1 Award