Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Betty Comden

Role / Field:

Pioneering American lyricist and playwright, celebrated for her enduring partnership with Adolph Green.

Born:

1917-05-03

Died:

2006-11-23

Century / Era:

1917s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Betty Comden (May 3, 1917 – November 23, 2006) was an American lyricist, playwright, and screenwriter who contributed to numerous Hollywood musicals and Broadway shows of the mid-20th century. Her writing partnership with Adolph Green spanned six decades: "the longest running creative partnership in theatre history." The musical-comedy duo of Comden and Green collaborated most notably with composers Jule Styne and Leonard Bernstein, as well enjoyed success with Singin' in the Rain, as part of the famed "Freed unit" at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Betty Comden was born Basya Cohen in Brooklyn, New York in 1917, the younger child of Leo Cohen (originally Astershinsky), a lawyer, and Rebecca (née Sadvoransky) Cohen, an English teacher. Both were Russian immigrants and observant Jews.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She had an older brother, Nathaniel ("Nat"), born c. 1915. Basya "attended Erasmus Hall High School and studied drama at New York University, graduating in 1938," according to The New York Times. In 1938, mutual friends introduced her to Adolph Green, an aspiring actor. Along with the young Judy Holliday and Leonard Bernstein, Comden and Green formed a troupe called the Revuers, which performed at...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf von Baeyer — Contemporary (Died in 1917) (1917): Pioneering German chemist known for indigo synthesis and IUPAC nomenclature.
• Andrew Huxley — Contemporary (Born in 1917) (1917): Pioneering physiologist known for the action potential and sliding filament theory.
• Andrew Wyeth — Contemporary (Born in 1917) (1917): Master American Realist Painter known for regional scenes of Pennsylvania and Maine.
• Aaron Spelling — Contemporary (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — Contemporary (Died in 2006) (2006): Jordanian jihadist militant known for orchestrating violence in Iraq (1966–2006)
• Alexander Litvinenko — Contemporary (Died in 2006) (2006): Russian defector and critic of the Kremlin, known for exposing state corruption.
• Aldo Rossi — Shared historical date (05-03 · Born) (1931): Pioneering Italian architect, theorist, and proponent of Postmodernism.
• Alfred Kastler — Shared historical date (05-03 · Born) (1902): Pioneering physicist known for developing the technique of optical pumping.
• Ahmad ibn Hanbal — Shared historical date (11-23 · Born) (780): Founding scholar of the Hanbali school, renowned for vast Hadith memorization.
• Alan Mullery — Shared historical date (11-23 · Born) (1941): Iconic English footballer and manager known for his time at Fulham and Spurs.
• 1917 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1917
• May 3 (05-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 3
• 2006 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2006
• November 23 (11-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on November 23

Frequently Asked Questions about Betty Comden