
Biography
John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and record label executive. He co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallichs. He is best known as a Tin Pan Alley lyricist, but he also composed music and was a popular singer who recorded his own as well as others' songs from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s. Mercer's songs were among the most successful hits of the time, including "Moon River", "Days of Wine and Roses", "Autumn Leaves", and "Hooray for Hollywood". He wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received nineteen Oscar nominations, and won four Best Original Song Oscars.
Awards & recognition
- Grammy Trustees Award · 1987
- Grammy Award — Song of the Year · 1964
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1963
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1962
- Grammy Award — Song of the Year · 1962
Show all 22 awards →
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1952
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1947
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Tony Award — Best Original Score · 1983 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1972 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1971 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song Score · 1971 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1966 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1964 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1961 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1956 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1946 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1944 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1943 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1942 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1941 · nominated
- Academy Award — Best Original Song · 1939 · nominated
Filmography19 titles

Charade

Breakfast at Tiffany's

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

Robin Hood

Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me

Barefoot in the Park

The Great Race

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

You Were Never Lovelier

How the West Was Won

The Harvey Girls

Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation

Daddy Long Legs

The Sky's the Limit

Blues in the Night

Dangerous When Wet

Second Chorus

Darling Lili

Top Banana