Legendary Disney Songwriter of ‘Mary Poppins’ and More, Dead At 95

Richard Sherman.

You may not know his name, or his brother Robert, but you know their songs.

Oh yes, you know them well.

Recall a song called Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

They wrote it.

Been to a Disney theme park and rode “It’s a Small World” attraction?

They wrote it.

The Sherman Brothers have written dozens of Disney tunes from back when Disney was a magical company.

Their songs WERE the Disney sound.

This Saturday, Richard Sherman left the earth for eternity at 95, leaving a massive legacy.

His brother, Robert, left at 85 years old, over a decade ago, in March 2012.

Richard M. Sherman, 'Mary Poppins' and 'It's a Small World' Songwriter, Dies at 95 https://t.co/SFNV8Iz7vr

— Variety (@Variety) May 25, 2024

ABC News reports:

Disney songwriting legend Richard M. Sherman, remembered for “Mary Poppins” and “It’s a Small World,” among many others, has died at 95 years old, the Walt Disney Company announced Saturday.

Sherman died Saturday due to an age-related illness at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, the company said.

One half of the Academy Award-winning duo with his brother, the late Robert B. Sherman, Richard is remembered as a “prolific composer-lyricist” and a “key member of Walt Disney’s inner circle of creative talents,” the company said in a press release.

The Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for their stylings in the 1964 classic film, “Mary Poppins” — Best Score: Substantially Original and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.”

“You don’t get songs like ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ without a genuine love of life, which Richard passed on to everyone lucky enough to be around him,” Pete Docter, chief creative officer, of Pixar Animation Studios, said in the release. “Even in his 90s he had more energy and enthusiasm than anyone, and I always left renewed by Richard’s infectious joy for life.”

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The brothers were inducted as Disney Legends in 1990.

Richard’s 65-year career was distinguished with nine Academy Award nominations, three Grammy Awards and 24 gold and platinum albums.

Robert B. Sherman died at 85 years old in March 2012.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Disney Legend Richard Sherman. Your songs are the soundtrack to so many of our memories, including the iconic “Feed the Birds.” Thank you for filling the world with your joy and for the incredible legacy of music you created. pic.twitter.com/PN3DuJUyEY

— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) May 25, 2024

Let’s take a moment and remember some of those great tunes Richard and his brother, Robert, have given us.

Let’s recall the magic that used to be…

This track from Mary Poppins is sure to take you far away from whatever you call this current life:

They composed ‘Let’s Get Together’ for Disney’s The Parent Trap that went on to become a top 10 hit:

They also composed for the non-Disney film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which starred Mary Poppin’s Dick Van Dyke.

You’ll have this tune in your head all day and never feel happier:

They wrote most of the music for The Jungle Book, including Louis Prima’s song, ‘I Wan’na Be Like You’.

Remember the hundred acre wood?

They even composed the theme music for Winnie the Pooh.

Do you know the Tiki Room at Disneyland?

Yep. That’s them.

Despite what’s become of this company, at least we still have our memories.

And the songs of the Sherman Brothers.

Rest in peace, Mr. Richard Sherman.