Sammy Cahn, a highly acclaimed American lyricist, songwriter, and musician, was born Samuel Cohen on June 18, 1913, on the Lower East Side of New York City, a borough steeped in rich cultural heritage.
Born to Jewish immigrant parents, Abraham and Elka Reiss Cohen, who had four daughters, Sadye, Pearl, Florence, and Evelyn, Cahn was the only son in the family.
Interestingly, his sisters all shared a passion for piano, with each one taking lessons, but their mother, Elka, had a strong opinion that the instrument was more suited to women, and thus disapproved of her son learning to play it.
Undeterred, Cahn instead pursued violin lessons, and after just three sessions, he joined a small dixieland band called Pals of Harmony, which embarked on a series of tours throughout the Catskill Mountains and performed at private gatherings, laying the foundation for his future endeavors.
Cahn's formative years were characterized by a diverse array of part-time occupations, including playing the violin in a theater orchestra pit, laboring in a meat-packing plant, working as a movie-house usher, toiling as a tinsmith, operating a freight elevator, functioning as a restaurant cashier, and serving as a porter at a bindery. This eclectic mix of jobs likely had a profound impact on his future creative endeavors.
Noted songwriter and film composer Sammy Cahn, a member of the esteemed Songwriters Hall of Fame since 1972, went on to serve as its president, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Cahn's remarkable life came to a close on January 15, 1993, at the ripe age of 79, due to heart failure, in the city of angels, Los Angeles, California.
His final resting place is the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery, where he was laid to rest.
Throughout his illustrious career, Cahn received a staggering number of nominations, including 31 Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and an Emmy Award.
Among his impressive accolades, he took home four Academy Awards, including the coveted prize for the beloved song "Three Coins in the Fountain."
In addition to his Academy Award wins, Cahn received a Grammy Award nomination, as well as several other distinguished honors, including the Christopher Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, and the Theatre World Award.
The prestigious Sammy Film Music Awards, affectionately referred to as the "Sammy," were inaugurated in 1988 to perpetually acknowledge the profound impact of a music industry luminary on the world of cinema. This esteemed annual accolade pays tribute to the most exceptional and captivating movie songs and scores that have left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide.
