Betty Comden
Betty Comden, born in Brooklyn in 1917, was an American lyricist, screenwriter, and actress. She is best known for her work with Adolph Green, with whom she collaborated on numerous musicals and films.
Date of Birth: May 03, 1919
Date of Death: November 23, 2006 (87)
Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA
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BIO
Betty Comden, born in Brooklyn in 1917, was an American lyricist, screenwriter, and actress. She is best known for her work with Adolph Green, with whom she collaborated on numerous musicals and films.
Comden and Green met in 1938 while both were studying at New York University, and began writing together shortly thereafter. Their first Broadway credit was for On the Town, a musical about three sailors on a 24-hour leave in New York City. The show premiered in 1944 and was a huge success, cementing Comden and Green's place in the world of musical theater.
Comden and Green went on to write the books and lyrics for several other successful Broadway shows, including Wonderful Town (1953), Bells Are Ringing (1956), and On the Twentieth Century (1978). They also wrote the screenplay for the classic film Singin' in the Rain (1952), which starred Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor.
In addition to her work in the theater and film industries, Comden also had a successful career as an actress. She appeared in several Broadway shows, including On the Town and A Party with Betty Comden and Adolph Green. She also had a recurring role on the television series The Cosby Show in the 1980s.
Comden and Green were known for their witty and clever lyrics, as well as their ability to craft memorable characters and stories. Their work was often characterized by its lightheartedness and humor, but also had a depth and complexity that set it apart from other musicals of the time.
Comden continued to work in the theater and film industries until her death in 2006 at the age of 89. Her most recent work included the 2001 Broadway revival of Follies, for which she wrote additional lyrics, and the 2003 film adaptation of the musical The Last 5 Years.
Throughout her career, Comden received numerous accolades for her work, including four Tony Awards, two Academy Awards, and a Kennedy Center Honor. She was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.
Comden's legacy as a lyricist and writer continues to influence the world of musical theater today. Her work with Adolph Green helped to shape the genre and set a standard for the kind of clever, witty, and heartfelt storytelling that audiences have come to expect from Broadway shows.
Photos
Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn attend the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at t
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Al Pacino, Jerry Herman, Burgess Meredith, Susan Strassberg, Angela lansbury, Lillian Gish, Carol Channing, Ethel Merman, Princess Grace Kelly and Ellen Burstyn at the Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards held on March 28, 1982 at the U
From: Photo Flashback: Inside the 1982 Theatre Hall Of Fame Awards
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Book and Lyrics
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Lyricist
See how Betty Comden connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Betty Comden from another Broadway star or creative.
Betty Comden
Connection
Movies
[ 1947 ] writer
[ 1949 ] writer
[ 1952 ] writer
[ 1953 ] writer
[ 1955 ] songs
[ 1958 ] writer
[ 1960 ] lyricist, lyricist
[ 1964 ] writer
[ 1989 ] Mrs. Wheeler
Awards and Nominations
winner
Betty Comden, The Will Rogers Follies
winner
Betty Comden, The Will Rogers Follies
Betty Comden, Wonderful Town!
Betty Comden, Singin' in the Rain
Betty Comden, A Doll's Life
Betty Comden, A Doll's Life
Betty Comden, On The 20th Century
winner
Betty Comden, On the Twentieth Century
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Betty Comden, On the Twentieth Century
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Betty Comden, Applause
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Betty Comden, Hallelujah, Baby!
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Betty Comden, Wonderful Town
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Betty Comden, Wonderful Town
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Betty Comden, On the Town
Videos
Video: Aisha Jackson Sings 'A Little Bit in Love' In Encores! WONDERFUL TOWN
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-05-04 12:41:09
Video: Aisha Jackson & Anika Noni Rose Sing 'Ohio' in WONDERFUL TOWN
by Nicole Rosky - 2025-05-02 15:00:20
Video: Inside the First WONDERFUL TOWN Rehearsal With the Encores! Orchestra
by Michael Major - 2025-04-08 09:22:39
News
by Rachel Stone - Oct 23, 2026
Pianist and composer Yaniv Taubenhouse released 'Wind,' the third single from his forthcoming album with Rick Rosato on bass and Jerad Lippi on drums, available on Fresh Sound/New Talent.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 22, 2026
Dave Palmer Trio Plays Cy Coleman (Volume 1) is a five-song EP celebrating the music of the legendary Broadway composer. The first single features GRAMMY-winning vocalist Gaby Moreno on the SWEET CHARITY standard.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 21, 2026
Megan Hilty, Colton Ryan, and Corbin Bleu will star in On the Town in Concert at Carnegie Hall, presented by Orchestra of St. Luke's this January, directed by Shuler Hensley.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 13, 2026
Asolo Repertory Theatre will open its 2026–27 season with SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. The production features Tyler Hanes, Sara Esty, Colin Bradbury, and Ryah Nixon in leading roles.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 2, 2026
Pianist and composer Yaniv Taubenhouse released the second single from his forthcoming fourth piano trio album, featuring Rick Rosato on bass and Jerad Lippi on drums.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 30, 2026
54 Below will present performers from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and entertainment, including artists in October, including Jenn Colella, Ali Ewoldt, Christine Ebersole and more.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 29, 2026
The full cast for the musical SINGIN' IN THE RAIN has been announced ahead of its engagement at Milton Keynes Theatre. Tickets are on sale through ATG Tickets.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 22, 2026
The UK and Ireland tour of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN will open at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on January 28, 2027, following a Christmas season at Sheffield Theatres. The cast includes Natalie Anderson and Karen Hauer sharing the role of Lina Lamont, Grant Almirall as Don Lockwood, and Nicole-Lily Baisden as Kathy Seldon.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 18, 2026
Pianist and composer Yaniv Taubenhouse released the first single from his fourth piano trio album, featuring Rick Rosato on bass and Jerad Lippi on drums, on Fresh Sound/New Talent.
by Elliot Lanes - Sep 15, 2026
Cabarets are always a bit of a crap shoot depending on the performer’s theme and choice of material. Signature Theatre’s current cabaret offering is a prime example of what happens when the performer and the material are in perfect sync. Take the immeasurable talents of Tracy Lynn Olivera, add a red hot trio of musicians and a song list featuring songs from Broadway and the movies’ golden age and you have what is Something Wonderful: Broadway’s Leading Ladies.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 11, 2026
Pianist and composer Yaniv Taubenhouse releases the fourth album in his piano trio series with Rick Rosato on bass and Jerad Lippi on drums on Fresh Sound/New Talent.
by Rachel Stone - Sep 9, 2026
Pianist and composer Yaniv Taubenhouse releases the fourth installment of his piano trio series, featuring Rick Rosato on bass and Jerad Lippi on drums, on Fresh Sound/New Talent.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2026
Bells Are Ringing will return in a special concert celebration of the musical’s 70th anniversary, at 54 Below, with tickets available both in-person and via a one-time-only livestream.
by Rachel Stone - Aug 25, 2026
Film Forum will present its Fall 2026 Film Forum Jr. series, featuring classic and animated films including ON THE TOWN, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, and Pixar's COCO for kids and families.
by Rachel Stone - Aug 14, 2026
The Village Trip will present a concert celebrating the Greenwich Village Folk Festival's 40th anniversary, featuring performers including Suzanne Vega, Noel Paul Stookey and John McCutcheon.
by Stephen Sorokoff - Aug 13, 2026
Isaac Mizrahi is chaotic, lovable, bawdy, witty, hysterical, and most importantly, completely authentic in his performances. Catch ISAAC MIZRAHI HOORAY nightly through August 15 at 54 Below
by Andrew Child - Jul 25, 2026
Applause has too much heart and is simply too much fun to be bogged down by its shortcomings, so audiences should take advantage of catching this gem while they can.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 25, 2026
Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Carnegie Hall has added to the 2026–2027 season with the launch of a new five-year initiative presenting classic American musicals in concert. The orchestra will perform Leonard Bernstein’s On the Town.
by Andrew Poretz - Jun 18, 2026
Sidney Myer was feted by Marilyn Maye, Charles Busch, Nicolas King and dozens more at a joyous sold-out American Popular Song Society Lifetime Achievement Award gala on June 15.
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2026
The Chichester Festival Theatre, Stage Entertainment and Sheffield Theatres production of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN will tour the UK and Ireland, including a summer season at London's Sadler's Wells, following a Christmas run at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Betty Comden has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.
Betty Comden has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Betty Comden's first West End show was On the Town which opened in 1992
Betty Comden has been nominated for several awards throughout her career. Some of her notable nominations include Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "The Will Rogers Follies," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for "The Will Rogers Follies" and "A Doll's Life," Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for "Wonderful Town!," Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "Singin' in the Rain," "A Doll's Life," and "On The 20th Century," Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for "On the Twentieth Century" and "Hallelujah, Baby!," Best Musical (Tony Awards) for "Applause," "Wonderful Town," and "On the Town," and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for "On the Town."
Betty Comden has won several awards throughout her career. Some of her notable awards include: - Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "The Will Rogers Follies" - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for "The Will Rogers Follies" - Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for "On the Twentieth Century" - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for "On the Twentieth Century" - Best Musical (Tony Awards) for "Applause" - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for "Hallelujah, Baby!" - Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for "Wonderful Town" - Best Musical (Tony Awards) for "Wonderful Town" - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for "On the Town".
Betty Comden has written 31 shows including The Revuers (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), On the Town (Book and Lyrics), Billion Dollar Baby (Bookwriter), Bonanza Bound (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Two on the Aisle (Sketches/Lyricist), Wonderful Town (Lyricist), Peter Pan (Lyricist), Bells Are Ringing (Bookwriter), Say, Darling (Lyricist), A Party with Betty Comden & Adolph Green (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Do Re Mi (Lyricist), Subways Are for Sleeping (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Fade Out - Fade In (Bookwriter/Lyricist), Hallelujah, Baby! (Lyricist), Applause (Bookwriter), Lorelei (Lyricist), Straws in the Wind (Lyricist), By Bernstein (Bookwriter), On the Twentieth Century (Bookwriter), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Lyricist), A Doll's Life (Bookwriter), Singin' in the Rain (Bookwriter), Diamonds (Lyricist), On the 20th Century (Bookwriter), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Lyricist), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Bookwriter), The Will Rogers Follies (Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Lyricist), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Lyricist), Stairway to Paradise (Sketches/Composer/Lyricist), The Skin of Our Teeth (Bookwriter/Lyricist).
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