James Van Heusen

Jimmy Van Heusen (January 26, 1913 - February 6, 1990), was an American composer. He wrote songs mainly for films and television (but also for the theater), and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Born Edward Chester Babcock in Syracuse, New York, he began writing music while at high school. He renamed himself at age 16, after the famous shirt makers, Phillips-Van Heusen, to use as his off-air name during local shows. His close friends called him "Chet." Studying at Cazenovia Seminary and Syracuse University, he became friends with Jerry Arlen, the younger brother of Harold Arlen. With the elder Arlen's help, Van Heusen wrote songs for the Cotton Club revue, including "Harlem Hospitality." He then became a staff...