Howard Ashman

Howard Ashman (b. May 3, 1950, Baltimore, Maryland – d. March 14, 1991), born Howard Elliott Gershman, was a Jewish-American playwright and movie music lyricist. He collaborated with Alan Menken on s

Howard Ashman (b. May 3, 1950, Baltimore, Maryland – d. March 14, 1991), born Howard Elliott Gershman, was a Jewish-American playwright and movie music lyricist. He collaborated with Alan Menken on several films, notably animated features for Disney, Ashman writing the lyrics and Menken composing the scores.

Along with Menken, Ashman was the co-recipient of two Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes and two Oscars. His second Academy Award in 1992 was awarded posthumuously for Best Song and was accepted by his partner, Bill Lauch. It was the first Academy Award given posthumously to someone who had died of AIDS.