Jack Yellen
Jack Selig Yellen (Jacek Jeleń; July 6, 1892 – April 17, 1991)[1] was an American lyricist and screenwriter. He is best remembered for writing the lyrics to the songs "Happy Days Are Here Again",[2] which was used by Franklin Roosevelt as the theme song for his successful 1932 presidential campaign, and "Ain't She Sweet", a Tin Pan Alley standard.
Jack Yellen
Jacek Selig Jeleń
July 6, 1892
Raczki, Congress Poland, Russian Empire
April 17, 1991 (aged 98)
Springville, Concord, New York, United States
1915–1969
Sylvia Stiller, Lucille Hodgeman (Stage Name: Lucille Day)
Early life and education[edit]
Born to a Jewish family[3] in Raczki, Congress Poland, then part of the Russian Empire, Yellen emigrated with his family to the United States when he was five years old. His parents were Abram and Bessie Yellen.[4] The oldest of seven children, he was raised in Buffalo, New York, and began writing songs in high school. He graduated with honors from the University of Michigan in 1913 where he was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity.
After graduating he became a reporter for the Buffalo Courier, continuing to write songs on the side.[5]
Awards and legacy[edit]
Yellen was one of the earliest members of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and served on its board of directors from 1951 to 1969.[11] In 1972 he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame,[12] and the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame in 1996.[13]
The foundation created by Yellen and his second wife, The Lucille and Jack Yellen Foundation, established the ASCAP Foundation Lucille and Jack Yellen Award, an annual award for "aspiring musical theater lyricist or film scorer who exemplifies talent and career potential".[14]
Personal life[edit]
In August 1922, Yellen married 21 year old Sylvia Stiller of Buffalo. They had two children, David and Beth.[15][2] In 1944 he married his second wife, Lucille Hodgeman. Lucille was born in Minnesota in 1915 and raised in Los Angeles. As a dancer and choreographer, she worked with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and 20th Century Fox under the stage name Lucille Day on over 20 films, including The Wizard of Oz.[16] The Yellens lived for many years on a farm on Mortons Corners Road in the town of Concord, New York. Jack Yellen died April 17, 1991, in Concord at the age of 98.[2] Lucille Yellen died on August 15, 2010, at age 95.[17]