
Person
Johnny Mercer
Acting · 1909–1976 · Savannah, Georgia, USA
Biography
John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, singer, and record label executive. He co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallichs. He is best known as a Tin Pan Alley lyricist, but he also composed music and was a popular singer who recorded his own as well as others' songs from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s. Mercer's songs were among the most successful hits of the time, including "Moon River", "Days of Wine and Roses", "Autumn Leaves", and "Hooray for Hollywood". He wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received nineteen Oscar nominations, and won four Best Original Song Oscars.
Known for

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self

The Mike Douglas Show
Self

Omnibus
Self

The Steve Allen Show
Self - Guest

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Self

Kraft Music Hall
Self

Breakfast at Tiffany's
Songs

Robin Hood
Songs

How the West Was Won
Lyricist

Charade
Songs
Filmography
- 2025Gilberto Gil @ Philharmonie De ParisAuthor
- 2009Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on MeSelf (archive footage)
- 1973Robin HoodSongs
- 1970Darling LiliLyricist
- 1967OmnibusSelf
- 1967Barefoot in the ParkLyricist
- 1965The Great RaceLyricist
- 1963CharadeSongs
- 1962How the West Was WonLyricist
- 1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonSelf
- 1962Mr. Hobbs Takes a VacationOriginal Music Composer
- 1961The Mike Douglas ShowSelf
- 1961Breakfast at Tiffany'sSongs
- 1959Li'l AbnerLyricist
- 1959The Big PartySelf
- 1958Kraft Music HallSelf
- 1956The Dinah Shore Chevy ShowSelf
- 1956The Steve Allen ShowSelf - Guest
- 1956The Rosemary Clooney ShowSelf
- 1955Daddy Long LegsSongs
- 1954Seven Brides for Seven BrothersLyricist
- 1954Top BananaSongs
- 1953Those Redheads from SeattleSongs
- 1953Dangerous When WetLyricist
- 1950The Petty GirlLyricist
- 1946The Harvey GirlsLyricist
- 1945Out of This WorldLyricist
- 1944Here Come the WavesLyricist
- 1944Youth Runs WildLyricist
- 1943The Sky's the LimitLyricist
- 1942You Were Never LovelierLyricist
- 1942Star Spangled RhythmLyricist
- 1941Blues in the NightLyricist
- 1941Second ChorusLyricist
- 1939Naughty but NiceSongs
- 1938Mr. ChumpLyricist
- 1937Ready, Willing and AbleLyricist
- 1935To Beat the BandMember of the Band
- 1935Old Man RhythmColonel
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