Alan Bergman, Oscar-winning lyricist who helped write 'The Way We Were,' dies at 99
Share this @internewscast.com

LOS ANGELES — Alan Bergman, a celebrated Oscar-winning lyricist, passed away at the age of 99. Alongside his wife Marilyn, he formed a remarkable and affectionate duo that crafted timeless tunes like “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?,” “It Might Be You,” and the iconic “The Way We Were.”

According to family representative Ken Sunshine, Bergman passed away on Thursday night at his Los Angeles residence. In recent months, he battled respiratory problems, yet he continued his songwriting endeavors until his final days.

The Bergmans tied the knot in 1958 and shared their lives until Marilyn’s passing in 2022. Collaborating with notable figures such as Marvin Hamlisch, Quincy Jones, Michel Legrand, and Cy Coleman, they became one of the most fruitful duos in history. They penned lyrics and sometimes composed music for countless songs, including memorable movie themes that became iconic. Their works were performed by legendary artists like Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and Tony Bennett, with Barbra Streisand being a frequent collaborator and dear friend.

Blending Tin Pan Alley sentiment and contemporary pop, the Bergmans crafted lyrics known by millions, many of whom would not have recognized the writers had they walked right past them. Among their most famous works: the Streisand-Neil Diamond duet “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” the well-named Sinatra favorite “Nice ‘n’ Easy” and the topical themes to the 1970s sitcoms “Maude” and “Good Times.” Their film compositions included Ray Charles’ “In the Heat of the Night” from the movie of the same name; Noel Harrison’s “The Windmills of Your Mind,” from “The Thomas Crown Affair”; and Stephen Bishop’s “It Might Be You,” from “Tootsie.”

The whole world seemed to sing and cry along to “The Way We Were,” an instant favorite recorded by Streisand for the 1973 romantic drama of the same name that co-starred Streisand and Robert Redford. Set to Hamlisch’s tender, bittersweet melody, it was essentially a song about itself – a nostalgic ballad about nostalgia, an indelible ode to the uncertainty of the past, starting with one of history’s most famous opening stanzas: “Memories / light the corners of my mind / misty watercolor memories / of the way we were.”

“The Way We Were” was the top-selling song of 1974 and brought the Bergmans one of their three Oscars, the others coming for “Windmills of Your Mind” and the soundtrack to “Yentl,” the Streisand-directed movie from 1983. At times, the Academy Awards could be mistaken for a Bergman showcase. In 1983, three of the nominees for best song featured lyrics by the Bergmans, who received 16 nominations in all.

The Bergmans also won two Grammys, four Emmys, were presented numerous lifetime achievement honors and received tributes from individual artists, including Streisand’s 2011 album of Bergman songs, “What Matters Most.” On “Lyrically, Alan Bergman,” Bergman handled the vocals himself. Although best known for their movie work, the Bergmans also wrote the Broadway musical “Ballroom” and provided lyrics for the symphony “Visions of America.”

Their very lives seemed to rhyme. They didn’t meet until they were adults, but were born in the same Brooklyn hospital, four years apart; raised in the same Brooklyn neighborhood, attended the same children’s concerts at Carnegie Hall and moved to California in the same year, 1950. They were introduced in Los Angeles while working for the same composer, but at different times of the day. Their actual courtship was in part a story of music. Fred Astaire was Marilyn’s favorite singer at the time and Alan Bergman co-wrote a song, “That Face,” which Astaire agreed to record. Acetate in hand, Bergman rushed home to tell Marilyn the news, then proposed.

Bergman is survived by a daughter, Julie Bergman, and granddaughter.

Bergman had wanted to be a songwriter since he was a boy. He majored in music and theater at the University of North Carolina, and received a master’s from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he befriended Johnny Mercer and became a protege. He and Marilyn at first wrote children’s songs together, and broke through commercially in the late 1950s with the calypso hit “Yellowbird.” Their friendship with Streisand began soon after, when they visited her backstage during one of her early New York club appearances. “Do you know how wonderful you are?” was how Marilyn Bergman greeted the young singer.

The Bergmans worked so closely together that they often found themselves coming up with the same word at the same time. Alan likened their partnership to housework: one washes, one dries, the title of a song they eventually devised for a Hamlisch melody. Bergman was reluctant to name a favorite song, but cited “A Love Like Ours” as among their most personal:

“When love like ours arrives / We guard it with our lives / Whatever goes astray / When a rainy day comes around / A love like ours will keep us safe and sound.”

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Teen shootout sends blue city residents running for cover as youth gangs surge ahead of mayoral race: expert

Youth Violence Escalates: Residents Concerned About Gang Activity as Mayoral Race Approaches, Expert Says

New York City has observed a concerning increase in juvenile crime following…
Victim identified in deadly Dallas ICE facility attack

Identity of Victim Revealed in Fatal Incident at Dallas ICE Facility

Authorities in Dallas have identified one of the victims who died when…
Former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine describes brutal DC attack by teen gang

Ex-DOGE Team Member Edward Coristine Recounts Harrowing Assault by Teen Gang in DC

Former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine appeared on “Jesse Watters Primetime” on Monday…
ICE in Chicago protest: Neurodivergent man among 4 charged after clash at Broadview ICE facility, supporters say

Chicago ICE Protest: Supporters Report Neurodivergent Man and 3 Others Charged Following Broadview Facility Incident

CHICAGO (WLS) — Four individuals appeared in court on Monday following a…
Schools close in Bahamas as Tropical Storm Imelda approaches

Bahamas Schools Shut Down Due to Advancing Tropical Storm Imelda

Power outages were reported in certain regions, prompting authorities to close government…
Vance, Johnson Hold Presser, Rip and Expose Democrats for Government Shutdown Gambit

Vance and Johnson Criticize and Unveil Democrats’ Strategy in Response to Government Shutdown

On Monday, Republicans and Democrats convened in a last attempt to prevent…
Daughter honors missing mom 1 year after Helene flooding

Daughter Pays Tribute to Mother 1 Year After Helene Flood Disaster

One year after Helene’s floodwaters carried Kim Ashby away, she remains among…
NHS removes controversial report on 'benefits' of first-cousin marriage after fierce public backlash in UK

NHS Withdraws Controversial Report on First-Cousin Marriage ‘Benefits’ Following Intense Public Backlash in the UK

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has come under fire for…
Football, family, humor, heart: Hulu's 'Chad Powers' has Glen Powell in sports spotlight at premiere at Pasadena's Rose Bowl

Glen Powell Steals the Show at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Premiere with Hulu’s ‘Chad Powers’: A Blend of Football, Family, and Humor

Football and humor become intertwined in the new series “Chad Powers.” On…
Minnesota man pleads guilty to attempting to join Islamic State group

Minnesota Resident Pleads Guilty to Trying to Join ISIS

A Minnesota man named Hassan has admitted to trying to join the…
Tyler Robinson faces court hearing in Charlie Kirk murder case

Tyler Robinson appears in court for Charlie Kirk murder case hearing

Prosecutors have charged Tyler Robinson with aggravated murder and plan to seek…
Alabama man charged in hit-and-run in Tuscaloosa

Alabama Resident Faces Charges in Tuscaloosa Hit-and-Run Incident

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — An Alabama man was arrested following a hit-and-run…