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Frank Loesser Headshot

Frank Loesser

Frank Loesser is an actor, lyricist, composer whose BroadwayWorld credits include Guys & Dolls - Standing/Immersive, Guys & Dolls - Standing & Stage Area, and The Most Happy Fella. Awards include Olivier Awards for Guys And Dolls (2006).

Date of Birth: June 29, 1910

Date of Death: July 28, 1969 (59)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Photos

Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
MUSIC & LYRICS
 
[West End, 2023]
MUSIC & LYRICS
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Book, Music, and Lyrics

Writing

Music, Lyrics
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer/Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist

Movies

Postal Inspector
[ 1936 ] songs by
Zaza
[ 1938 ] songs by
Cocoanut Grove
[ 1938 ] songs by
Cafe Society
[ 1939 ] songs by
Destry Rides Again
[ 1939 ] songs by
St. Louis Blues
[ 1939 ] songs by
Buck Benny Rides Again
[ 1940 ] lyrics by
This Gun for Hire
[ 1942 ] songs by
Priorities on Parade
[ 1942 ] writer
Thank Your Lucky Stars
[ 1943 ] music and lyrics by
Red, Hot and Blue
[ 1949 ] Hair-do Lempke
Let's Dance
[ 1950 ] songs by
Where's Charley?
[ 1952 ] music and lyrics by
Guys and Dolls
[ 1955 ] music and lyrics by
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
[ 1967 ] music and lyrics by

Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Musical Production

Frank Loesser, Guys And Dolls

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - The Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical

Frank Loesser, Señor Discretion Himself


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1966 - Other Award

Frank Loesser


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1962 - Best Musical

Frank Loesser, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Tony Awards - 1962 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Frank Loesser, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1957 - Best Musical

Frank Loesser, The Most Happy Fella

Tony Awards - 1957 - Best Musical

Frank Loesser, The Most Happy Fella


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1951 - Best Musical

Frank Loesser, Guys and Dolls


winner
Tony Awards - 1951 - Best Musical

Frank Loesser, Guys and Dolls

News

REVIEW: Satirical Take On Big Business, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING Remains Relevant As Corporations Continue To See It As A Handbook, Not A Caution
by Jade Kops - Sep 6, 2026

The satirical musical of what should be a corporate myth, that someone with no experience can rise to the top of the corporate ladder, HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, is presented in classic Broadway style at Hayes Theatre.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING Opens at Hayes Theatre Co
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 1, 2026

The seven-time Tony Award-winning musical comedy has opened at Hayes Theatre Co, directed by Cameron Mitchell and starring Jake Speer as J. Pierrepont Finch alongside Simon Burke.
GUYS AND DOLLS to Open at Devonshire Playhouse in Skokie
by Rachel Stone - Aug 31, 2026

Devonshire Playhouse in Skokie, Illinois, will present GUYS AND DOLLS with a 37-member cast, running for four performances at the Devonshire Cultural Center.
Review: GUYS & DOLLS at The Royal Theatre in Benton
by Theresa Bertram - Aug 25, 2026

What did our critic think of GUYS & DOLLS at The Royal Theatre?
Review: Pier Lamia Porter Stakes Her Claim With THE HUMBLING OF ME... PLUS 40 at The Green Room 42
by Stephen Mosher - Aug 28, 2026

A producer of cabaret, Pier Lamia Porter has stepped into the light and an audience has discovered a new star.
Review: GUYS AND DOLLS at Moonlight Stage
by ErinMarie Reiter - Aug 20, 2026

This 'Guys and Dolls' makes one thing very clear: at Moonlight, the audience wins.
GUYS AND DOLLS JR. to Open at Musical Theatre of Anthem
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 14, 2026

Musical Theatre of Anthem will present Guys and Dolls JR., bringing the classic musical to its stage for a multi-day run this fall. The cast is comprised of award-winners and nominees ages 14-18.
80s Jukebox Musical ALWAYS SOMETHING THERE... Is Now Available for Licensing
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 13, 2026

Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) has announced the licensing availability of Always Something There…, a brand new show part of the Lively McCabe Entertainment ’Hits’ Musicals Collection.
Guys & Dolls at Renaissance Theatre in Mansfield
by Team BWW - Aug 8, 2026

Guys & Dolls is a classic American musical featuring a score by Frank Loesser, set in New York City and following high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson, Salvation Army missionary Sarah Brown, lovable hustler Nathan…
Video: Stages St. Louis Shares Preview of GUYS AND DOLLS
by Michael Major - Aug 6, 2026

Stages St. Louis has posted new video from its production of Guys & Dolls, currently running at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. The production is directed by Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart, with choreography by Lindsay Joy Lancaster.
Interview: Dan Chameroy of SOMETHING ROTTEN! and GUYS AND DOLLS at Stratford Festival
by Ilana Lucas - Aug 5, 2026

BroadwayWorld spoke with Chameroy about what makes a musical sizzle, trusting your scene partner—even when it’s the stage itself—and how to balance explosive humour with laid-back cool.
Review: GUYS & DOLLS at Stages St. Louis is a Sure Bet
by James Lindhorst - Jul 30, 2026

Director James Monroe Iglehart and the entire company have built a show that is musical theater perfection. This production of Guys & Dolls could not be better.Just ask Sarah Brown at the Save-a-Soul Mission, it would be a sin to miss this heavenly production of Guys & Dolls.
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY Now Available for Licensing
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 29, 2026

Music Theatre International announced that GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY is now available for theatres and schools to license for future productions.
GUYS AND DOLLS to Open at Moonlight Amphitheatre This Summer
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 27, 2026

Moonlight Stage Productions will present a revival of the Tony Award-winning musical as part of its 45th Anniversary Season at the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, California.
GALA Theatre to Open 51st Season With World Premiere of GARBO: The Actor Who Saved the World
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 27, 2026

GALA will present the world premiere of GARBO: The Actor Who Saved the World, a drama about a double agent who misled the Nazis during World War II, written by Gustavo Ott.
PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL Is Now Available to License
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 23, 2026

 Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) just announced the licensing availability of Pretty Woman: The Musical. The musical is available worldwide (excluding Australasia and Europe) and other international/regional restrictions may apply. 
Debby Boone, Billy Stritch and More to Join TONY BENNETT CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 21, 2026

Jazz at Lincoln Center's Dizzy's Club will present a Tony Bennett Centennial Celebration as part of its Songbook Sundays series, featuring Debby Boone, Billy Stritch, Gabrielle Stravelli, and David Marino.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING Announces Cast For Hayes Theatre Production
by Marissa Faith Curley - Jul 19, 2026

The multiple award-winning producer behind RENT and Catch Me If You Can, LPD Productions has announced the cast for its upcoming production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Winner of seven Tony Awards, this razor-sharp musical comedy proves that climbing the corporate ladder can be every bit as entertaining as it is unpredictable.
LES MISÉRABLES Is Available Again for Licensing Through MTI
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 14, 2026

Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg (Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, The Pirate Queen) and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunn and John Caird. The classic story asks one of the most profound questions of theatre: What would you do if you were granted a second chance at life?
DREAMING OF A SONG: THE MUSIC OF HOAGY CARMICHAEL to Play Hamptons Summer Songbook
by Stephi Wild - Jul 13, 2026

Klea Blackhurst and Billy Stritch will bring their critically acclaimed show celebrating Hoagy Carmichael's songbook to LTV Studios in Wainscott, NY, as part of the Hamptons Summer Songbook By the Sea series.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Frank Loesser written?

Frank Loesser has written 12 shows including The Most Happy Fella (Bookwriter), The Illustrators' Show (Lyricist), Where's Charley? (Composer), Guys and Dolls (Composer), Greenwillow (Composer/Lyricist), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Composer), Pleasures and Palaces (Bookwriter), Hans Andersen (Composer/Lyricist), Ain't Misbehavin' (Lyricist), Perfectly Frank (Composer/Lyricist), Señor Discretion Himself (Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist), Blueprint Specials (Music, Lyrics).

What awards has Frank Loesser been nominated for?

Frank Loesser has been nominated for several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable nominations include Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards for "Guys And Dolls," the Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Señor Discretion Himself," and an Other Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards. He was also nominated for Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "The Most Happy Fella." Additionally, he received nominations for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre at the Tony Awards for "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." Furthermore, he was nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards and the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Guys and Dolls" and "The Most Happy Fella."

What awards has Frank Loesser won?

Frank Loesser has won several awards throughout his career. Some of his notable wins include the Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards for "Guys And Dolls," an Other Award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, the Best Musical at the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for both "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "The Most Happy Fella," and the Best Musical at the Tony Awards for "Guys and Dolls."

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