Lionel Newman

Alfred’s youngest brother Lionel (1916-1989) was next in line to carry on the family film-scoring legacy. Lionel also was an accomplished pianist who at the tender age of 15 went on tour with Mae West.

In the early 1930s, Lionel joined 20th Century Fox as a rehearsal pianist where he worked with his brother Alfred and would nearly always work with him thereafter.

“Again” was a song Lionel wrote for the 1948 Movie Roadhouse, which was on the popular song chart Hit Parade for months. By 1959 he had been promoted to musical director for television at 20th Century Fox which opened the doors to feature films. He soon became vice-president in charge of music for both television and features.

After Alfred’s death in 1970 Lionel was made general music director at Fox. He later worked as a senior VP for MGM/UA from 1988 until his death in 1989.

Lionel’s work at 20th Century Fox earned him 200 film credits spanning 46 years. These films include Road House (1948), How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954), River of No Return (1954), Love Me Tender (1956) (Elvis Presley’s first picture), North to Alaska (1960), and Let’s Make Love (1960).

Lionel Newman was nominated for 11 academy awards. He was awarded one Oscar for Hello Dolly in 1970.