Oscar Winning Mary Poppins Songwriter Robert B. Sherman Dies at Age 86

Posted on March 8, 2012

Robert B. Sherman, half of the Sherman Brothers songwriting team, passed away in London, England, on March 5 at age 86. Robert wrote numerous hit songs in collaboration with his brother, Richard M. Sherman (who survives him). The Sherman Brothers were personally selected by Walt Disney to write songs for his films, television shows, and theme parks. Robert Sherman, Richard Sherman and Walt Disney are pictured above in a photograph from 1963.

The Sherman Brothers wrote songs for Mary Poppins. They received two of the film's five Oscar wins for Best Song ("Chim Chim Cher-ee") and Best Original Score. Richard Sherman, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Robert Sherman are pictured in the photograph below, which was taken in 1963. The Shermans also wrote songs for The Jungle Book and Winnie the Pooh. The brothers also came up with the "It's a Small World (after all)" song used on the popular Disney ride.

The Sherman Brothers have received nine Academy Award nominations, three Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They received 24 gold and platinum albums.

Commenting on Robert's passing, Richard Sherman said, "My brother Bob was a poetic soul with limitless imagination and talent. He was my loyal friend all through the years. We were fortunate to have been blessed by two great men, our key inspirations-our father, Al, who teamed us up and taught us the craft, and Walt Disney, who provided us with an opportunity to realize our greatest dreams. Bob will be lovingly missed by all of us in his family."

Obituaries for Robert Sherman can be found at the L.A. Times, Hollywood Reporter and NPR.