Alan Menken
Alan Irwin Menken, born on July 22, 1949, in Manhattan, New York City, is a renowned American composer and conductor celebrated for his contributions to musical theater and film, particularly through his work with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Raised in a creative household, Menken developed a passion for music early on, taking piano and violin lessons and composing from a young age. He attended New Rochelle High School and later New York University, where he graduated with a degree in musicology.
Menken's career breakthrough came with the Off-Broadway production of "Little Shop of Horrors" in 1982, co-written with lyricist Howard Ashman. This partnership led to iconic Disney films such as "The Little Mermaid" (1989), "Beauty and the Beast" (1991), and "Aladdin" (1992), each earning Menken multiple Academy Awards. Following Ashman's passing, Menken collaborated with other lyricists like Tim Rice and Stephen Schwartz on successful projects including "Pocahontas" (1995) and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1996).
Menken's work extends to Broadway, where he won a Tony Award for "Newsies" (2012) and received nominations for several other productions. His compositions have earned him an EGOT—winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards—making him one of the few artists to achieve this honor. Menken continues to influence both stage and screen, adapting his works and creating new compositions, while maintaining a balance with his personal life alongside his spouse, Janis Roswick, whom he married in 1972.
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