Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love Premiers on PBS Tonight

From New York to San Diego, Marvin Hamlisch is name that anyone who loves music is not going to forget. All of the highs and lows of his journey from child musical genius to Broadway composer and beyond will be explored on the PBS special "Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love" Friday, December 27th at 9pm.

Marvin Hamlisch is someone who influenced music o the stage and screen, penning hits like "The Way We Were", scores for movies including "The Sting", "Sophie's Choice" and hundreds more, and the Broadway classic A CHORUS LINE. The awards and accolades he earned over his lifetime make him one of two people who are PEGOT winners, with a Pulitzer Prize, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony Award. His awards count includes multiples of the Grammys, Emmys, and Oscars.

A child musical prodigy, he was accepted into Julliard at six years old, and while his training focused on classical music, his life made him a star in the world of pop and musicals as well. In 2006 came to San Diego to help lead the San Diego Symphony's Pops program, and became the principal Pops conductor. In the 2010-2011 centennial Season for the Symphony he also wrote a composition in the honor of it being the symphony's centennial season.

This special not only follows the highs and lows of his life but also includes interviews with his family, friends, and those who got to work with him including: Barbara Streisand, family, Barbra Streisand, Idina Menzel,Steven Soderbergh, Quincy Jones, Christopher Walken, Sir Tim Rice, , John Lithgow, Ann-Margret, among others.

"Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love" premiers on Friday, December 27th at 9pm (check your local listings). This program is part of the American Masters series on PBS and is supported by the National Edowment for the Arts and the corporation for Public Broadcasting. For more information on this show, the American Master Series or PBS please go to www.PBS.org

PHOTO CREDIT:Taylor Hill/Getty Images North America