Who Is Howard Ashman? Age, Biography and Wiki
Howard Ashman was born on May 17, 1950, and tragically passed away on March 14, 1991. As of 2025, had he been alive, he would have celebrated his 75th birthday. Ashman was an accomplished playwright and lyricist, best known for his work on Disney classics such as The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. His innovative storytelling and poignant lyrics left a lasting legacy in musical theater and animated films. For more in-depth information, you can visit his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Playwright |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 17, 1950 |
| Age | 40 Years |
| Birth Place | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 14 March, 1991 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Howard Ashman's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While precise details about Howard Ashman’s height and weight aren’t documented, he was often described as having a warm and charismatic presence, indicative of his vibrant personality and creative spirit. His contributions to theater and film far surpass the bounds of physical measurements, establishing him as a larger-than-life figure in the entertainment industry.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Howard Ashman was known to keep his personal life relatively private. However, he was openly gay and had a significant and loving relationship with his partner, William Lauch. Their bond was evident in Ashman's commitment to authenticity in both his personal and professional life. While there may not be extensive details about other relationships, his connection with Lauch provided him with support throughout his career.
After graduating from Indiana University in 1974, Ashman moved to New York and worked as an editor at Grosset & Dunlap. His first two plays, Cause Maggie's Afraid of the Dark and Dreamstuff, were met with mixed reviews. Ashman's play The Confirmation was produced in 1977 at Princeton's McCarter Theater and starred Herschel Bernardi.
In 1977, he became the artistic director of the WPA Theater in New York. Ashman met future collaborator Alan Menken at the BMI Workshop, where he was classmates with Maury Yeston and Ed Kleban, among others. He first worked with Menken on the 1979 musical Kurt Vonnegut's God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, adapted from Vonnegut's novel of the same name.
They also collaborated on Little Shop of Horrors with Ashman as director, lyricist, and librettist, winning the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics and receiving a Grammy Award nomination.
Ashman also directed the workshop of Nine by Yeston at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, and after asking why Guido's wife stays with him after she knows he has not been faithful, inspired Yeston to write "My Husband Makes Movies".
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Howard Ashman had accumulated a noteworthy legacy, though specific details regarding his net worth remain difficult to ascertain. His impactful work on Broadway and in film likely brought him significant earnings, particularly from royalties and performances of his musicals. In 2025, had he lived, it is likely that his net worth would have continued to grow due to ongoing tributes, reimagined productions, and continued influence in the theatrical world.
Career, Business and Investments
Howard Ashman’s career in theater began at a young age, and he rose to prominence with works like Little Shop of Horrors, which garnered critical acclaim and introduced his unique approach to storytelling through song. His collaboration with Disney marked a pivotal point in animated film history, with his lyrics contributing to the revival of Disney’s musical format in the late 20th century.
Despite passing away at a young age, Ashman's work continues to inspire countless artists and creators. In 2025, he is celebrated not just for his artistic contributions, but also as a pioneer for LGBTQ+ representation in Broadway and film.
Over the course of his career, Ashman won two Academy Awards (one posthumous) out of seven nominations. Of these nominations, four are posthumous nominations, the most in Academy Awards history. He also won a posthumous Laurence Olivier Award and five Grammy Awards (three of them posthumous), among other accolades.
Social Network
While Howard Ashman was not part of the social media era as we know it today, his legacy has been immortalized by fans and artists alike who share his work on various platforms. Tributes and discussions about his contributions to theater can often be found on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where communities celebrate his songs, musicals, and enduring legacy.
In 1986, Ashman was brought in to write lyrics for a song in Walt Disney Animation Studios' Oliver & Company. He then also worked with Tina Turner on a script which never came to fruition.
While there, Ashman was offered several works which had been on the back burner and was told about another project that Disney had been working on for a couple years. The film was The Little Mermaid, Disney's first fairy tale in 30 years. Ashman, along with Menken, wrote all of the songs for the film.
Ashman became a driving force during the early years of the "Disney Renaissance". He would hold story meetings and said the animation and musical styles were made for each other, which is why Disney needed to continue making musical movies. Ashman also made strong choices in casting actors with strong musical theater and acting backgrounds.
The Little Mermaid was released in November 1989 and was an enormous success. Ashman and Menken received two nominations at the Golden Globe Awards and three nominations at the Academy Awards, including two Best Original Song nominations for "Kiss the Girl" and "Under The Sea" with Ashman and Menken winning for the latter.
Education
Howard Ashman attended both the University of Maryland, College Park, and later pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Indiana University. His education laid the foundation for his exceptional talent as a writer and lyricist, equipping him with the skills necessary to thrive in the competitive world of theater and film.
His family was Jewish. He started his theater experiences with the Children's Theater Association (CTA), playing roles such as Peter Pan. Ashman first studied at Boston University and Goddard College (with a stop at Tufts University's Summer Theater) and then went on to earn a master's degree in fine arts at Indiana University in 1974.
