Richard M. Sherman, a celebrated Disney songwriter, passed away at 95 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills on May 25 due to age-related illness, as announced by The Walt Disney Company.
Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, honored Sherman, calling him the embodiment of a Disney Legend. Alongside his late brother Robert B. Sherman, Richard created timeless classics for films like “Mary Poppins” and “The Jungle Book,” and theme park attractions such as “It’s a Small World.” The Sherman Brothers’ music has touched generations.
The duo, known for their work on “Mary Poppins,” wrote iconic songs like “Feed the Birds,” “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” and “A Spoonful of Sugar,” winning two Oscars for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” Richard received nine Academy Award nominations, three Grammy Awards, and 24 gold and platinum albums in his 65-year career.
In 2008, they were awarded the National Medal of Arts. Disney’s 2009 documentary “The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story” celebrated their legacy. Richard appeared in the 2023 series “Once Upon a Studio” for Disney’s 100th anniversary.
Richard is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his children Gregory, Victoria Wolf, and Lynda Rothstein, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Disney honored him with a tribute video, thanking him for his joyful contributions to music.