Jimmy Van Heusen

Songwriter/composer Jimmy Van Heusen (born Edward Chester Babcock) is known for writing such standards as "Swinging on a Star," "All the Way," "Call Me Irresponsible," and "High Hopes" (all of which won Oscars). Van Heusen started out at age 15 playing piano at a music publishing house. Following studies in piano and voice at Syracuse University, Van Heusen began working as a radio announcer. He signed to Paramount in 1940 and went on to collaborate with such distinguished lyricists as Johnny Burke and Sammy Cohn. During WWII, Van Heusen was a part-time test pilot for Lockheed Aircraft. Much later in his career, he started his own music publishing company.

~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide