Billy Rose

Billy Rose
Billy Rose (standing) visiting David Ben-Gurion in 1960
Born	William Samuel Rosenberg (1899-09-06)September 6, 1899
Died	February 10, 1966(1966-02-10) (aged 66) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Billy Rose
Spouse(s)	Fanny Brice (1929-1938) Eleanor Holm (1939-1954) Joyce Mathews (1956-1959, 1961-1963) Doris Warner Vidor (1964-1966)

Billy Rose (September 6, 1899 – February 10, 1966) was an American impresario, theatrical showman and lyricist. For years both before and after World War II, Billy Rose was a major force in entertainment, with shows such as Billy Rose's Crazy Quilt (1931), Jumbo (1935), Billy Rose's Aquacade (1937), and Carmen Jones (1943). As a lyricist, he is credited with many famous songs, notably "Me and My Shadow" (1927), "More Than You Know" (1929), "Without a Song" (1929), "It Happened in Monterrey" (1930) and "It's Only a Paper Moon" (1933).

Despite his accomplishments, Rose may be best known today as the husband of famed comedian and singer Fanny Brice (1891-1951).

William Samuel Rosenberg was born to a Jewish family in New York City. He attended Public School 44, where he was the 50-yard dash champion. While in high school, Billy studied shorthand under John Robert Gregg, the inventor of the Gregg System for shorthand notation. He won a dictation contest using Gregg notation, taking over 150 words per minute, and writing forward or backward with either hand.

Billy Rose began his career as a stenographic clerk to Bernard Baruch of the War Industries Board during World War I, and became head of the clerical staff. Later he became a lyricist. In this role, he is best known as the credited writer or co-writer of the lyrics to "Me and My Shadow," "Great Day" (with Edward Eliscu), "Does the Spearmint Lose Its Flavor on the Bedpost Overnight" (with Marty Bloom), "I Found a Million Dollar Baby" (with Mort Dixon) and "It's Only a Paper Moon" (with E. Y. Harburg).