Ira Gershwin

Birth Name:

Israel Gershowitz

Birth Place:

New York City, New York, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Music department

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․"

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