John Morris (composer)

John Morris (December 18, 1926 – January 25, 2018) was an American film and television composer, conductor, and arranger. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Adaptation Score for his work on the 1980 film The Elephant Man.

Morris was known for his collaborations with director Mel Brooks, scoring many of Brooks' most iconic comedies, including The Producers (1967), Blazing Saddles (1974), and Young Frankenstein (1974). His scores often featured a blend of classical, jazz, and comedic elements, perfectly complementing the tone of Brooks' films.

Beyond his work with Brooks, Morris composed music for a wide variety of films, ranging from dramas like The Verdict (1982) and Ironweed (1987) to comedies like Dirty Dancing (1987) (where he arranged the songs). He also composed extensively for television, including the theme music for the television series Coach and episodes of The French Chef with Julia Child.

Morris studied at the Juilliard School of Music and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. His versatility and ability to create memorable and effective scores made him a highly sought-after composer in both film and television for several decades.