Herbert Kretzmer has died at the age of 95.
Friends and family of the lyricist have confirmed his passing online, with a number of well-known people in the entertainment industry paying tribute to Kretzmer on social media.
During his career, Kretzmer wrote the English-language adaptation of the musical ‘Les Miserables’, as well as the lyrics of the 1960 song ‘Good Gracious Me’, which was made famous by Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren.
Sir Tim Rice wrote on Twitter: “The great lyricist and man of theatre and popular song, Herbert Kretzmer, has died. From Les Mis to She, TW3, Goodness Gracious Me and so much more he was a giant of his trade. RIP Herbie. (sic)”
Gary Kemp also took to the micro-blogging platform to pay tribute to the lyricist, who worked with French singer Charles Aznavour on his 1974 hit ‘She’.
He wrote: “The great Herbie Kretzmer has died. One of our country’s top lyricists and man of the theatre who penned She, Les Mis and much more. I had the privilege to know him a little and send his family much love. RIP. #HerbieKretzmer (sic)”
During his career, Kretzmer worked as a senior drama critic at the Daily Express newspaper, and he later became a TV critic for the Daily Mail newspaper.
However, Kretzmer – who married Sybil Sever in 1988 – admitted that his ‘Les Miserables’ work defined his career and helped to shape his personal life.
Speaking in 2013, he explained: “I was able to give up my day job at 61. ‘Les Miserables’ has brought me my London house and my wife, whom I met at the opening-night party in New York. I often marvel at how those few feet between [producer] Cameron Mackintosh’s sofa and his door changed my life.”
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