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Howard Ashman

Writer

Howard Ashman

Born May 17, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland, USADied March 14, 19918 films

Howard Elliott Ashman (May 17, 1950 – March 14, 1991) was an American playwright, lyricist, and stage director. He is most widely known for his work on feature films for Walt Disney Animation Studios, for which Ashman wrote the lyrics and Alan Menken composed the music. Ashman has been credited as being a main driving force behind the Disney Renaissance. His work included songs for Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin. He died of AIDS complications in 1991.

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The best way into Howard Ashman's work
Aladdin posterFirst watchAladdin19927.7In the boorish city of Agrabah, kind-hearted street urchin Aladdin and Princess Jasmine fall in love, although she can only marry a prince.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Beauty and the Beast poster7.0Beauty and the Beast2017Aladdin poster7.1Aladdin2019Little Shop of Horrors poster7.0Little Shop of Horrors1986The Little Mermaid poster6.2The Little Mermaid2023Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue poster6.2Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue1990

Filmography

8 films
  1. 2023The Little MermaidLyricist
  2. 2022Beauty and the Beast: A 30th CelebrationLyricist
  3. 2019AladdinLyricist
  4. 2017Beauty and the BeastLyricist
  5. 2015Aria for a CowLyricist
  6. 1992AladdinLyricist
  7. 1990Cartoon All-Stars to the RescueLyricist
  8. 1986Little Shop of HorrorsMusical