New York-songwriter and film composer, Alan Menken is best known for his unforgettable music for Disney movies like Calypso music of _The Little Mermaid just to name a few. However his first breakthrough came with the 1982 hit Off-Broadway musical Little Shop of Horrors, based on the 1960 film by Roger Corman of the same name. Whatever in stage or film, the composer has the ability to write from fun, romantic to poignant songs, Menken enchanted children and adults alike for decades and still do the same to this day.
Father of Anna Menken and Nora Menken.
Educated at New York University
Husband of Janis Menken.
Now tied with famed costume designer Edith Head for third most Academy Awards won, with eight. He has won best score and best song for four Disney animated movies: The Little Mermaid , Beauty and the Beast , Aladdin and Pocahontas .
Children: Anna and Nora.
Plays piano, violin, guitar and accordian.
His show, "Beauty and the Beast", was awarded the 1998 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Musical of the 1997 season.
Has won more Academy awards then any other living composer in Oscar history (Alfred Newman received nine but passed away in 1970). He has won the following eight: Best Original Score for The Little Mermaid , Best Song for The Little Mermaid ("Under The Sea"), Best Original Score for Beauty and the Beast , Best Original Song for Beauty and the Beast ("Beauty and the Beast"), Best Original Score for Aladdin , Best Original Song for Aladdin ("A Whole New World"), Best Musical or Comedy Score for Pocahontas and Best Original Song for Pocahontas ("Colors of the Wind"). He has also received eleven other nominations.
(September 2006) Appeared as part of a cast/crew panel discussion at the premiere of a revival/promotional screening of the 1989 Disney classic The Little Mermaid at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on September 7th, 2006.
(June 2006) Completing stage musical versions of "The Little Mermaid", "Leap of Faith" and "Sister Act". Working with Disney on the film Enchanted .
In 1972, married Janis Roswick, a ballet dancer. The couple have two daughters, Anna Menken and Nora Menken also Artists.
Howard Ashman and his musical, "The Beauty and the Beast" at the Marriott Theatre in Chicago, Illinois was awarded the 2005 Joseph Jefferson Equity Award for Musical Production.
He was nominated for a 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music for "Leap of Faith" on Broadway in New York City.
"Leap of Faith" on Broadway in New York City was nominated for a 2012 Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Musical.
"Leap of Faith" on Broadway in New York City was nominated for a 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical.
Considers his score for The Hunchback of Notre Dame to be his best work.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on November 15, 2010.
Howard Ashman and his musical, "Little Shop of Horrors" at the American Blues Theater in Chicago, Illinois was nominated for a 2016 Joseph Jefferson (Equity) Award for Midsize Musical Production.
His musical, "Disneys The Little Mermaid" at the Paramount Theatre in Chicago, Illinois was nominated for a 2017 Joseph Jefferson Equity Award for Large Musical Production.
