Ben Lanzarone Cause of Death

Renowned composer Ben Lanzarone, known for his prolific contributions to iconic television series like “Happy Days,” “The Love Boat,” and “Dynasty,” passed away from lung cancer in Los Angeles on February 16th at the age of 85.

Lanzarone was honored with ASCAP’s prestigious “Most Performed Composer Award” for his remarkable television scores. His compositions graced episodes of acclaimed shows such as “The Tracy Ullman Show,” “The Jay Leno Comedy Hour,” and “Mr. Belvedere.” Collaborating with industry giants Aaron Spelling and Doug Cramer, he crafted memorable scores for a plethora of hit series including “Dynasty,” “The Love Boat,” “Vegas,” “Matt Houston,” “The Colbys,” and “Hotel.” Additionally, he composed music for numerous episodes of beloved classics like “Happy Days,” “Laverne and Shirley,” and “Mork and Mindy.”

Beyond his television work, Lanzarone’s talents extended to live performances and theatrical productions. As a musical director and pianist, he toured alongside esteemed artists like Frank Sinatra, Art Garfunkel, and Mary Travers. Notably, he served as the musical director for the original Broadway production of “Grease” and contributed his arranging skills to productions such as “Via Galactica” and “Truckload” on Broadway. In the off-Broadway scene, he held roles as musical director and arranger for productions like “How to Steal an Election” and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

A graduate of New York City’s High School of Music and Art, Lanzarone furthered his education with double Masters Degrees from the Manhattan School of Music. His career commenced as a classical pianist, captivating audiences nationwide as a soloist with the Longines Symphonette, culminating in his solo debut at Carnegie Recital Hall.

Lanzarone’s professional and personal life intertwined seamlessly with his 46-year marriage to actress and singer Ilene Graff. Together, they embarked on a journey spanning stage, screen, live concerts, and recordings, earning a Grammy nomination for their collaborative album “Baby’s Broadway Lullabies.” Additionally, they imparted their knowledge through the popular workshop “Making the Song Your Own,” aimed at nurturing singers’ passion for music and performance. Alongside their daughter, Broadway luminary Nikka Graff Lanzarone, they showcased their talents in cabaret concerts across New York City and Los Angeles.

A philanthropist at heart, Lanzarone dedicated his time to various charitable organizations including The Variety Club, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and The Entertainment Community Fund.

He is survived by his wife Ilene Graff, daughter Nikka Graff Lanzarone, brothers Frank and Peter Lanzarone, brothers-in-law Richard and Todd Graff, as well as nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends, all of whom cherish his enduring legacy in the world of music and entertainment.