Born in Baltimore, MD; educated at Goddard College (B.A.) and Indiana University (M.A.). Popular lyricist for Disney animated films THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST and ALADDIN (three songs). He was a Producer on THE LITTLE MERMAID and Executive Producer on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. With composer Alan Menken, he received two Oscars® and two Golden Globes for Best Song ("Beauty and the Beast" and "Under the Sea") and four Grammys®. He received an Oscar nomination with Mr. Menken for "Friend Like Me" from ALADDIN. As author, lyricist and director for the record-breaking stage musical Little Shop of Horrors, Mr. Ashman received two Outer Critics' Circle Awards, a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, a London Evening Standard Award and a Drama Desk Award. For the film version of Little Shop, he received Best Screenplay nomination from the Writers Guild and, with Mr. Menken, an Oscar nomination for Best Song. He was author, lyricist and director of Smile for which he received a Tony® nomination for Best Book. His other credits include God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater (1979); The Confirmation (1976); Artistic Director, WPA Theatre (1976-1982). Ashman died at age 40 of complications due to AIDS.  Nominated for Music Best Song 1986: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS "Mean Green Mother from Outer Space" - Lyric  Best Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1989: THE LITTLE MERMAID "Under the Sea" - Lyric  Nominated for Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1989: THE LITTLE MERMAID "Kiss the Girl" - Lyric  Best Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1991: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST "Beauty and the Beast" - Lyric  Nominated for Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1991: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST "Belle" - Lyric  Nominated for Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1991: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST "Be Our Guest" - Lyric  Nominated for Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1992: ALADDIN "Friend Like Me" - Lyric 7 nominations, 2 Awards