Fred Ebb

Fred Ebb (1933–2004) was an award-winning lyricist, librettist and director who frequently and successfully collaborated with composer John Kander. Ebb's work for the theatre included Flora, The Red Menace; Cabaret; The Happy Time; Zorba; 70, Girls, 70; Chicago; The Act; Woman of the Year; 2x5; The Rink; And The World Goes Round - The Kander and Ebb Musical; Kiss of the Spider Woman; and Steel Pier. His film work included Cabaret; Norman Rockwell: A Short Subject; Lucky Lady; New York, New York; Funny Lady; Kramer vs. Kramer; A Matter of Time; Places in the Heart; French Postcards; Stepping Out, and the 2003 Academy Award winner for best picture, Chicago. For television, Ebb wrote Liza with a Z; Goldie and Liza Together (starring Goldie Hawn and Liza Minnelli); Ol' Blue Eyes is Back (starring Frank Sinatra); Baryshnikov on Broadway; An Early Frost; and Liza in London. His last projects included a musical version of The Skin of Our Teeth and Curtains, with book by Rupert Holmes. Ebb also provided additional material for the updated script of Rodgers & Hart's By Jupiterand additional lyrics for the 1997 TV remake of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Fred Ebb earned four Tony Awards (for Cabaret, Woman of the Year, and Kiss of the Spider Woman) and four Primetime Emmy awards (for Liza with a Z, Gypsy in My Soul, and Liza Minnelli Live From Radio City Music Hall) along with dozens of other accolades, including the Kennedy Center Honors and membership in the American Theatre Hall of Fame. In 2005, by instruction of Ebb's will, the Fred Ebb Foundation was established to present an annual award to an up-and-coming musical theatre writer or writing team.