Loesser << LEH sehr >>, Frank (1910-1969), an American composer, wrote the music and lyrics for many musical comedies and films. He won the 1949 Academy Award for his song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” from the movie Neptune’s Daughter. Loesser and playwright Abe Burrows shared the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for drama for the musical comedy How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1961).
Loesser, whose full name was Francis Henry Loesser, was born on June 29, 1910, in New York City. In 1936, he moved to Hollywood, where he wrote lyrics for motion-picture musicals. He wrote the lyrics for several hit songs, including “Two Sleepy People” (1938) and “I Don’t Want to Walk Without You” (1942). In the early 1940’s, he composed music and lyrics. Loesser wrote such songs as “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition” (1942), “Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year” (1944), and “On a Slow Boat to China” (1949).
Loesser was among the most versatile of Broadway-song writers. He attempted to explore a different style of musical with each of his shows. Loesser’s first successful musical was Where’s Charley? (1948). His next show, Guys and Dolls (1950), ranks among the finest musicals in history. Loesser wrote the story as well as the music and lyrics for The Most Happy Fella (1956). Loesser died on July 26, 1969.
