Marvin Hamlisch's family boasted a rich musical heritage, with his father being an accomplished accordionist. As the youngest student ever accepted by Manhattan's prestigious Juilliard School of Music at the tender age of seven, Hamlisch's innate talent was evident from a very young age.
To further hone his craft, Hamlisch pursued night classes at Queens College, concurrently working as a rehearsal pianist for Broadway shows during the day. This multifaceted approach ultimately led him to compose songs for stage productions, setting the stage for a successful career in the entertainment industry.
In 1968, Hamlisch's life took a significant turn when he met film producer Sam Spiegel, resulting in his debut film score for The Swimmer (1968). This marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career in film scoring, during which Hamlisch became deeply knowledgeable in the highly specialized field.
In addition to his work in film scoring, Hamlisch also ventured into film production as co-producer of The Entertainer (1975). His impressive range of skills and expertise ultimately earned him a Tony Award in 1976 for his scoring of the Broadway show A Chorus Line (1985).
