Date of Birth: December 6, 1896
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: August 17, 1983
Biography
Ira Gershwin was born as Israel Gershowitz on December 6, 1896, in New York City. He is best known as one of the greatest lyricists in American music history, contributing to the golden age of American musical theater. Ira was the older brother of composer George Gershwin, and together they formed one of the most important songwriting teams of the 20th century. Ira’s career began in the early 1920s, and he quickly gained fame for his clever and sophisticated lyrics. One of his earliest successes was the musical “Lady, Be Good!” in 1924, which included the hit song “Fascinating Rhythm.” Over the years, Ira and George collaborated on numerous classic songs and musicals, including “I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” and the opera “Porgy and Bess.” After George’s untimely death in 1937, Ira continued to work with other composers, such as Jerome Kern, Kurt Weill, and Harold Arlen. His later works included lyrics for “Long Ago (and Far Away)” and “The Man That Got Away.” Ira received multiple awards and honors throughout his life, including a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Ira Gershwin passed away on August 17, 1983, but his work continues to influence and inspire musicians and lyricists around the world.
5 Interesting Facts about Ira Gershwin
1. Ira Gershwin was one of the first lyricists to win a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, which he received for the musical “Of Thee I Sing” in 1932.
2. Despite being a celebrated lyricist, Ira Gershwin was known for his shyness and preferred to stay out of the limelight.
3. Ira collaborated with his brother George Gershwin on more than 20 Broadway musicals and Hollywood films.
4. He often used the pseudonym “Arthur Francis” for some of his early works.
5. Ira Gershwin’s lyrics are known for their wit, sophistication, and use of complex internal rhymes.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ira Gershwin
1. “Life is one long jubilee.”
2. “I got rhythm, I got music, I got my man—who could ask for anything more?”
3. “They all laughed at Christopher Columbus when he said the world was round.”
4. “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.”
5. “Nice work if you can get it, and you can get it if you try.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Ira Gershwin is estimated to be around $20 million at the time of his death.
Children
Ira Gershwin did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Ira Gershwin Biography – Songwriters Hall of Fame](https://www.songhall.org/profile/Ira_Gershwin
2. [Ira Gershwin – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0315035/
3. [The Gershwin Brothers – Library of Congress](https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035729/
4. [Ira Gershwin – Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ira-Gershwin
