Betty Comden

Betty Comden (1917-2006) was an award-winning screenwriter, librettist and lyricist, co-writing with her longtime creative partner, Adolph Green. Comden and Green had a groundbreaking partnership of over 60 years, winning Tony Awards for their lyrics and/or librettos for Applause, Wonderful Town, Hallelujah Baby!, On the Twentieth Century and The Will Rogers Follies. Other Broadway credits: On The Town (including the smash Broadway revival), Peter Pan, Bells are Ringing, Do Re Mi, Subways are for Sleeping, and A Doll’s Life.

Comden and Green wrote the screenplay and/or lyrics for several films including Singin’ in the Rain, Good News, On the Town, The Band Wagon, It’s Always Fair Weather (Academy Award nomination) and Auntie Mame. They were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980 and received the 1991 Kennedy Center Honors Award, among countless other tributes. As an actress, Betty Comden appeared in the films Garbo Talks and Slaves of New York, and authored an essay collection entitled Off Stage.