Songwriter. He penned dozens of tunes for Hollywood films of the 1940s and 1950s, often in collaboration with lyricist Ned Washington. They shared an Oscar nomination for "Blue Pacific Blues" from "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1953). His other hit songs include "The Heat Is On", "The Blue Gardenia", "Let's Do It Again", and "Fire Down Below". Born in New York City, Lee got his start writing material for Broadway revues and had a modest success with the musical "Keep it Clean" (1929). After the Wall Street Crash he disappeared from show business for over a decade, resurfacing in Hollywood in 1943. Lee contributed songs to over 30 films, mostly B epics for Universal and Columbia. Among them are "Mary Lou" (1948), "Affair in Trinidad" (1952), "A Prize of Gold" (1955), and "The Man from Laramie" (1955). He died of a heart attack at 52. Another Lee song, "Pennsylvania Polka", has been used in several movies set in that state, notably "Love Hurts" (1991) and "Groundhog Day" (1993).
Songwriter. He penned dozens of tunes for Hollywood films of the 1940s and 1950s, often in collaboration with lyricist Ned Washington. They shared an Oscar nomination for "Blue Pacific Blues" from "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1953). His other hit songs include "The Heat Is On", "The Blue Gardenia", "Let's Do It Again", and "Fire Down Below". Born in New York City, Lee got his start writing material for Broadway revues and had a modest success with the musical "Keep it Clean" (1929). After the Wall Street Crash he disappeared from show business for over a decade, resurfacing in Hollywood in 1943. Lee contributed songs to over 30 films, mostly B epics for Universal and Columbia. Among them are "Mary Lou" (1948), "Affair in Trinidad" (1952), "A Prize of Gold" (1955), and "The Man from Laramie" (1955). He died of a heart attack at 52. Another Lee song, "Pennsylvania Polka", has been used in several movies set in that state, notably "Love Hurts" (1991) and "Groundhog Day" (1993).
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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