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Robert B. Sherman, who along with his brother wrote songs for films long considered classics, has died. He was 86.
Sherman was born in New York, but ultimately came of age in Los Angeles, and attended Beverly Hills High School, where at age 16 he wrote his first play. He served in the Army in World War II, and was shot in the knee on April 12, 1945, which left him needing to walk with a cane the rest of his life.
In the late 1950s Sherman teamed up with his brother, Richard, and began writing songs, and their first hit caught the attention of Walt Disney, who brought the team on board to pen tunes for his films. While working for Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote what is probably their most well-known song: "It's a Small World (After All)" for the 1964 New York World's Fair.
The Sherman Brothers worked for Walt Disney until his death in 1966. During that time they wrote songs for "Mary Poppins." Other credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web (1973), The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971).
Robert Sherman moved to London in 2002, where he enjoyed spending time painting. His brother, Richard, still lives in California. Until Richard's death, the brothers continued to collaborate on music from afar.
"Robert and Richard Sherman worked directly for Walt Disney until Disney's death in 1966. After leaving the company, the brothers worked freelance as songwriters on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme park exhibits and stage musicals," explai
