Ira Gershwin Biography

Fast Facts

• The United States Library of Congress named its Prize for Popular Song after him and his brother George Gershwin
• UCLA established The George and Ira Gershwin Lifetime Musical Achievement Award to honor the brothers for their contributions to music
• Received the 1932 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Of Thee I Sing," along with George S․ Kaufman and Morrie Ryskind
• Enjoyed reading as a child and became involved in several school newspapers and magazines
• Worked as a cashier in his father's Turkish baths before getting involved in the music industry
• Worked as the business manager for a traveling carnival
• Collaborated extensively with his brother George Gershwin, writing deft lyrics to his brother's melodies
• Collaborated with many composers of musical comedy following his brother's early death, including Harold Arlen and Vernon Duke
• When he received one of the first Sony Walkmans as a gift, he was so impressed with the invention that he bought stock in the company
• He and George Gershwin wrote the fight song for UCLA, "Strike Up the Band for UCLA․"