Cy Coleman, originally named Seymour Kaufman, was born on June 14, 1929, in New York City to Eastern European Jewish parents. A child prodigy, Coleman performed piano recitals at prestigious venues like Steinway Hall, Town Hall, and Carnegie Hall between the ages of six and nine. He received classical training in piano composition and orchestration at the High School for the Performing Arts and the New York College of Music.

Despite early success in classical and jazz music, Coleman shifted his focus to popular music, forming the Cy Coleman Trio and recording numerous albums. He collaborated with lyricist Joe A. McCarthy on songs such as "Why Try to Change Me Now" and "The Riviera." His partnership with Carolyn Leigh produced pop hits like "Witchcraft" and "The Best Is Yet to Come."

Coleman's Broadway career began with "Wildcat" (1960), starring Lucille Ball, and continued with "Little Me" alongside Neil Simon. His collaboration with Dorothy Fields yielded the successful "Sweet Charity," which featured hits like "Big Spender" and "If My Friends Could See Me Now." Coleman also composed for "Seesaw" and later worked on "I Love My Wife," "On the Twentieth Century," and "Barnum."

In the late 1980s, Coleman achieved success with "City of Angels," earning a Tony Award for Best Original Score. He continued to create Broadway hits in the 1990s, including "The Will Rogers Follies" and "The Life." Coleman also composed for film and television, receiving an Academy Award nomination for "Father Goose."

Cy Coleman passed away on November 18, 2004, leaving a legacy as a prolific composer, songwriter, and jazz pianist who significantly influenced American music and Broadway.