Leonard Gershe

Leonard Gershe (June 10, 1922 - March 9, 2002) was an American playwright, screenwriter, and lyricist.

Born in New York City, Gershe made his Broadway debut as a lyricist for the 1950 revue "Alive and Kicking". He wrote the book for Harold Rome's musical stage adaptation of "Destry Rides Again" in 1959, and in 1969 penned his only play, "Butterflies Are Free". (Actually, Leonard wrote another play, "Snacks," that was intended for Tony Danza.)

In the 1950s, Gershe wrote ten scripts for the Ann Sothern sitcom "Private Secretary". (He also wrote a number of episodes of "The Lucy Show.") His screen credits include "Funny Face", "40 Carats", and "Butterflies Are Free".

(Despite writing the lyrics for the "Born in a Trunk" sequence from the Judy Garland/James Mason musical "A Star is Born," he was not originally co-credited along with composer/music director/friend Roger Edens due to a contractual issue.)

Gershe died in Beverly Hills, California from complications from a stroke.

Nominations

*1958 Academy Award for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay, Written Directly for the Screen ("Funny Face")
*1958 Writers Guild of America Award for Best American Musical ("Funny Face")
*1973 Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium ("Butterflies Are Free")
*1974 Writers Guild of America Award for Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium ("40 Carats")