Ben Lanzarone Obituary

Renowned composer Ben Lanzarone, whose timeless melodies graced numerous beloved television shows, peacefully passed away in his sleep while bravely battling lung cancer. He was 85 years old. His wife of over 45 years, the esteemed actress Ilene Graff, confirmed his passing.

Lanzarone’s remarkable contributions to the world of music were honored with ASCAP’s Most-Performed Underscore Award in 1986. His compositions became synonymous with iconic TV shows spanning the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, including classics like “The Love Boat,” “Happy Days,” “Dynasty,” “Mork and Mindy,” and “Laverne and Shirley,” among numerous others.

The enduring love story of Lanzarone and Graff began on the set of “Grease,” where they first crossed paths during his work on the music video for “Summer Nights.” Their professional collaboration blossomed further on the set of “Mr. Belvedere,” where Ilene portrayed Marsha Cameron Owens in 118 memorable episodes.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Ilene and their daughter, Nikka. At present, no details regarding memorial arrangements have been disclosed.