Irving Caesar
Irving Caesar, originally born Isidor Keiser on July 4, 1895, in New York City, was a prominent American lyricist and composer, particularly known for his contributions to theater music. He passed away at the age of 101 on December 17, 1996, in New York City. Caesar was the son of Morris Keiser, a Romanian Jewish lawyer and socialist, and grew up in the Yorkville neighborhood of Manhattan, where he was acquainted with the Marx Brothers. He was educated at Chappaqua Mountain Institute in New York.
Caesar's career in songwriting began after World War I, during which he worked with Henry Ford. He collaborated with numerous composers, including George Gershwin, Vincent Youmans, and Rudolf Friml, among others. Some of his most famous works include the lyrics for "Swanee," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "Crazy Rhythm," and "Tea for Two," the latter being one of the most frequently recorded songs ever. He also wrote "I Want to Be Happy" and "Animal Crackers in My Soup," the latter popularized by Shirley Temple.
In addition to his songwriting, Caesar was active in promoting music for social causes. In the late 1930s, he co-wrote a series of children's songs focusing on safety and health, and he made numerous school appearances to perform these songs. He was a member of the ASCAP board of directors and a founder of the Songwriters Guild of America. In recognition of his contributions to music, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
Irving Caesar was married to Christina Ballesteros in 1994, and her daughter, Danya Barazanji, assisted in his caretaking in his later years. His Broadway credits include contributions to musicals such as "La La Lucille," "Kissing Time," and "No, No, Nanette."
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