Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Richard Sherman, songwriter for Mary Poppins, passes away at age 95

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Renowned composer Richard M Sherman, best known for his work on Disney film classics like Mary Poppins, has passed away at the age of 95 in Beverly Hills. Sherman, who collaborated with his brother Robert, received two Oscars in 1965 for their contributions to Mary Poppins.

The duo’s iconic scores also include songs from The Jungle Book and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Sherman’s death was confirmed by Disney, citing “age-related illness” as the cause. The Sherman brothers were honored with induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and received the US National Medal of the Arts in 2008.

Their influence extended to numerous Disney productions, including The Aristocats and Winnie the Pooh shorts. The brothers were portrayed in the 2013 film Saving Mr. Banks, shedding light on the making of Mary Poppins. Sherman’s legacy includes the popular song “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and winning three Grammy awards.

Sherman’s dedication to the arts industry earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, with a funeral scheduled for May 31 in California. Sherman’s musical legacy and impact on Disney will forever be cherished.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Renowned (adjective): Widely acclaimed and celebrated
  2. Composer (noun): A person who writes music
  3. Collaborated (verb): Worked jointly on an activity or project
  4. Iconic (adjective): Widely recognized and admired
  5. Induction (noun): The process of being formally introduced or placed into a position or role
  6. Cherished (verb): Treasured and deeply loved

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