Who was Ben Lanzarone? American Composer Dead at 85

Ben Lanzarone, the accomplished composer and spouse of actress Ilene Graff, has passed away at the age of 85. The sad news was confirmed by Lanzarone’s daughter, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, in an Instagram post on February 17th.

Nikka’s heartfelt post featured two photos and a touching video capturing moments with her father. The first photo, seemingly recent, depicts Lanzarone seated at a piano, beaming with a smile. In the black-and-white image, he is engrossed in playing the keys while his daughter sits nearby, her gaze fixed on the music. The second photo portrays a younger Lanzarone cradling a baby Nikka in his arms, accompanied by a furry feline friend. The video showcases Lanzarone’s musical prowess as he gracefully performs on the piano.

Born on October 28, 1938, Lanzarone embarked on a remarkable career as a composer, flourishing particularly during the 1970s and 1980s when his compositions became synonymous with several popular television shows. His musical touch graced episodes of beloved series such as “The Love Boat,” “Happy Days,” “Mork and Mindy,” “Laverne and Shirley,” among others.

Lanzarone and Graff shared more than four decades of marriage. Their paths first crossed on the set of “Grease,” and their collaboration continued with the ABC sitcom “Mr. Belvedere.” Graff notably portrayed Marsha Cameron Owens as a part of the show’s main cast during its successful run from 1985 to 1990.