Gary Portnoy, born on June 8, 1956, in New York, is a renowned singer and songwriter best known for his contributions to television theme music. He co-wrote and performed the iconic theme song "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" for the beloved U.S. sitcom Cheers, alongside Judy Hart Angelo. The duo also created the theme for the sitcom Punky Brewster, titled "Every Time I Turn Around," and the theme for the series Mr. Belvedere.

Before his television success, Portnoy was an accomplished songwriter, with his works recorded by artists such as Dolly Parton and Air Supply. He released a self-titled album with Columbia Records in 1980, which was later re-released by Sony Japan. Additionally, he contributed songs to the NBC series Fame, with "I Still Believe In Me" earning an Emmy nomination for Best Original Song.

Portnoy's work in the 1980s television scene garnered him an Emmy nomination and six consecutive ASCAP awards for Most Performed Television Themes. After a hiatus from the music industry, he returned in the late 1990s, collaborating with Gloria Nissenson in Nashville. His 2004 album Keeper includes a full-length version of the Cheers theme, and in 2007, he released the album Destiny, featuring new songs and a previously unreleased version of the Mr. Belvedere theme.