Disney Legend Robert Sherman Passes Away

Robert Sherman—part of the award-winning songwriting duo, The Sherman Brothers—has passed away. Robert had been instrumental in Disney songwriting since 1961. He and his brother wrote many memorable and classic Disney songs for various animated and live-action films, such as ‘The Jungle Book’ and ‘Mary Poppins’, as well as the songs for many Disney attractions like “It’s a Small World After All” and “The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room.”

His son, Jeffrey, gave this statement about his father on his Facebook page on Monday:

My Dad, Robert B. Sherman, passed away tonight in London. He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death. He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more.

I will write more about this incredible man I love and admire so much when I am better rested and composed. He deserves that.

In the meantime, please say a prayer for him. As he said, he wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded. His love and his prayers, his philosophy and his poetry will live on forever. Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world.

Robert was named a “Disney Legend” in 1990, alongside his brother. He and his brother earned nine Academy Award nomations, winning two for their work on Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Over the years, he and his brother continued to write songs for films, theme parks and plays. He was 86 years old.