13 Facts About Marc Shaiman

Marc Shaiman is an American composer and lyricist for films, television, and theatre, best known for his collaborations with lyricist and director Scott Wittman, actor Billy Crystal, and director Rob Reiner.

Marc Shaiman was born to a Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey, the son of Claire and William Robert Marc Shaiman.

Marc Shaiman attended Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, but he left school at age 16 to start working in New York's theaters; he later obtained a GED.

Marc Shaiman began his professional relationships with Billy Crystal and Martin Short during his tenure at the show.

Marc Shaiman later produced Midler's album It's the Girls, which had the highest debut of Midler's recording career on the Billboard Album charts, and co-wrote Crystal's farewell to Jay Leno which featured Carol Burnett and Oprah Winfrey among others.

Marc Shaiman has earned seven Academy Award nominations, a Tony Award and a Grammy Award for his work on the musical Hairspray, and an Emmy Award for co-writing Billy Crystal's Academy Award performances.

Marc Shaiman has been Grammy-nominated for his arrangements for Harry Connick Jr.

Marc Shaiman wrote and sang the song "Yes" for his agent's film Finding Kraftland, and co-wrote songs for Neil Patrick Harris when Harris hosted the 63rd Tony Awards and the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, and was Emmy-nominated for musical directing and co-writing the 82nd Academy Awards.

Marc Shaiman co-produced and co-wrote cuts on Mariah Carey's 2010 Christmas album Merry Christmas II You.

Marc Shaiman was Tony-nominated for his orchestrations for their previous Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can.

Marc Shaiman plays the piano and appears briefly in the video.

Marc Shaiman is openly gay, and married Louis Mirabal, a retired lieutenant commander in the US Navy, on March 26,2016.

Marc Shaiman earned the Hollywood Film Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and Film in 2002.