Stephen Sondheim
Writing Born Mar 22, 1930 Died Nov 26, 2021 New York City, New York, USA 251 credits
Biography
Stephen Joshua Sondheim was an American composer and lyricist born on March 22, 1930, in New York City, New York. He is regarded as an important figure in twentieth-century musical theatre and is credited with reinventing the American musical. Working on Broadway with frequent collaborators Harold Prince and James Lapine, his musicals addressed dark elements of the human experience and tackled unexpected themes. His work is known for its complexity, sophistication, and ambivalence, and he was mentored in his youth by Oscar Hammerstein II. Known for writing with 117 known credits, Sondheim passed away on November 26, 2021, at the age of ninety-one. His career included writing song lyrics for the musical West Side Story, and he is associated with works such as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, tick, tick... Boom!, and Great Performances.
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Career overview
Stephen Joshua Sondheim was an American composer and lyricist born in New York City on March 22, 1930, and he passed away on November 26, 2021. Regarded as one of the most important figures in twentieth-century musical theatre, he is credited with reinventing the American musical. His interest in musical theatre began at a young age, and Oscar Hammerstein II mentored him as he started his career. Working with frequent collaborators Harold Prince and James Lapine, Sondheim created Broadway musicals that tackled unexpected themes beyond traditional subjects while addressing darker elements of the human experience. His music and lyrics are characterized by complexity, sophistication, and ambivalence about various aspects of life.
Sondheim wrote song lyrics for the famous Bernstein musical West Side Story. His career encompasses numerous known credits in writing, and he is associated with works such as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, tick, tick... Boom!, and Great Performances. He was recognized as a legendary American composer and lyricist who revolutionized musical theatre with his complex melodies and elaborate texts.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Merrily We Roll Along · MusicMerrily We Roll Along · LyricistMerrily We Roll Along · MusicalMerrily We Roll Along · Original Music ComposerMerrily We Roll Along · Writer
Into The Woods (AUS Productions) · Writer
Candide · LyricistJonas Kaufmann: Arena di Verona 2023 · Music
Glass Onion: A Knives Out MysteryGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery · In Memory OfStephen Sondheim's Old Friends · SongsBecoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime · LyricistBecoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime · Music
West Side Story · ThanksWest Side Story · LyricistWest Side Story · Theatre Playtick, tick... BOOM!Something's Coming: West Side Story
Chita: A Legendary Celebration · LyricistKings of Broadway 2020: A Celebration of the Music of Jule Styne, Jerry Herman, and Stephen Sondheim · SongsMarry Me a Little · Songs
On Broadway
Harold Prince: The Director's Life
National Theatre Live: Follies · MusicalNational Theatre Live: Follies · SongsNational Theatre Live: Follies · LyricistNational Theatre Live: Follies · Writer
Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened...Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened... · SongsBest Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened... · LyricistWest Side Story · SongsWest Side Stories: The Making of a Classic
The Late Show with Stephen ColbertGypsy · MusicalGypsy · LyricistGypsy · Writer
Into the Woods · SongsInto the Woods · MusicalInto the Woods · Original Music ComposerInto the Woods · LyricistSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic · Music
Six by SondheimSix by Sondheim · SongsSix by Sondheim · WriterMerrily We Roll Along · LyricistMerrily We Roll Along · Music
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · Original Music ComposerSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · Writer
Into the Woods · MusicalInto the Woods · WriterCompany · LyricistCompany · SongsCompany · Original Music Composer
Sondheim! The Birthday ConcertSondheim! The Birthday Concert · Songs
Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street · WriterSweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street · Music
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = ToddSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · WriterSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · SongsCompany: A Musical Comedy · LyricistCompany: A Musical Comedy · Songs
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · MusicSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · MusicalSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · SongsSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · LyricistSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · Original Music Composer
Witness to 'Reds'
The Colbert ReportCandide · LyricistPassion · SongsPassion · Original Music ComposerPassion · Writer
Broadway: The American MusicalAssassins · MusicAssassins · LyricistAssassins · SongsChildren Will Listen
Mostly Sondheim · SongsBroadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were ThereCampLeonard Bernstein: Candide · WriterWest Side Memories
A Little Night Music: Live from the Kennedy Center · SongsA Little Night Music: Ravinia Festival Concert · MusicA Little Night Music: Ravinia Festival Concert · LyricistThe Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in ConcertSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert · MusicSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert · WriterSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert · SongsSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert · Lyricist
Ned Rorem Interviews Stephen Sondheim
Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh
A Conversation With Composer Stephen Sondheim
CompanyCompany · MusicalCompany · SongsCompany · LyricistCompany · Original Music Composer
A Tribute to Stephen SondheimA Tribute to Stephen Sondheim · LyricistA Tribute to Stephen Sondheim · MusicSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · MusicSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street · Lyricist
Full Filmography
251 titles- Merrily We Roll Along (2025) Music
- Merrily We Roll Along (2025) Lyricist
- Merrily We Roll Along (2025) Musical
- Merrily We Roll Along (2025) Original Music Composer
- Merrily We Roll Along (2025) Writer
- West Side Story (2025) Lyricist
- Into The Woods (AUS Productions) (2024) Writer
- Candide (2023) Lyricist
- Jonas Kaufmann: Arena di Verona 2023 (2023) Music
- Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) as Stephen Sondheim
- Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) In Memory Of
- Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends (2022) Songs
- Becoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime (2022) Lyricist
- Becoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime (2022) Music
- The Stories of West Side Story (2022) as Self
- Keeping Company with Sondheim (2022) as Self
- West Side Story (2021) Thanks
- West Side Story (2021) Lyricist
- West Side Story (2021) Theatre Play
- tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) as Stephen Sondheim (voice on phone) (uncredited)
- Something's Coming: West Side Story (2021) as Self
- Simply Sondheim (2021) Writer
- Cameron Mackintosh - The First 50 Years (2021) as Self
- Chita: A Legendary Celebration (2020) Lyricist
- Kings of Broadway 2020: A Celebration of the Music of Jule Styne, Jerry Herman, and Stephen Sondheim (2020) Songs
- Marry Me a Little (2020) Songs
- On Broadway (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Harold Prince: The Director's Life (2018)
- National Theatre Live: Follies (2017) Musical
- National Theatre Live: Follies (2017) Songs
- National Theatre Live: Follies (2017) Lyricist
- National Theatre Live: Follies (2017) Writer
- Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened... (2016) as Self
- Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened... (2016) Songs
- Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened... (2016) Lyricist
- West Side Story (2016) Songs
- West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic (2016) as Self
- Judy Collins: A Love Letter to Stephen Sondheim (2016) Music
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- Gypsy (2015) Musical
- Gypsy (2015) Lyricist
- Gypsy (2015) Writer
- Into the Woods (2014) Songs
- Into the Woods (2014) Musical
- Into the Woods (2014) Original Music Composer
- Into the Woods (2014) Lyricist
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic (2014) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic (2014) Musical
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic (2014) Songs
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic (2014) Lyricist
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic (2014) Original Music Composer
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic (2014) Writer
- Six by Sondheim (2013) as Self / Joe
- Six by Sondheim (2013) Songs
- Six by Sondheim (2013) Writer
- Merrily We Roll Along (2013) Lyricist
- Merrily We Roll Along (2013) Music
- Merrily We Roll Along (2013) Songs
- Merrily We Roll Along (2013) Writer
- Merrily We Roll Along (2013) Musical
- Sunday In the Park with George (2013) Musical
- Sunday In the Park with George (2013) Songs
- Sunday In the Park with George (2013) Lyricist
- Follies (2013) Songs
- Follies (2013) Lyricist
- Follies (2013) Writer
- Follies (2013) Musical
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2012) Original Music Composer
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2012) Writer
- Into the Woods (2011) Musical
- Into the Woods (2011) Writer
- Company (2011) Lyricist
- Company (2011) Songs
- Company (2011) Original Music Composer
- Company (2011) Writer
- Company (2011) Musical
- A Place for Us: West Side Story's Legacy (2011) as Self
- Sondheim! The Birthday Concert (2010) as Self - Honoree
- Sondheim! The Birthday Concert (2010) Songs
- Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2009) Writer
- Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2009) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = Todd (2008) as Self
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2008) Writer
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2008) Songs
- Company: A Musical Comedy (2008) Lyricist
- Company: A Musical Comedy (2008) Songs
- Company: A Musical Comedy (2008) Writer
- Company: A Musical Comedy (2008) Original Music Composer
- Company: A Musical Comedy (2008) Musical
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) Musical
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) Songs
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) Lyricist
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) Original Music Composer
- Candide (2007) Writer
- Witness to 'Reds' (2006) as Self
- The Colbert Report (2005) as Self
- Candide (2005) Lyricist
- Passion (2005) Songs
- Passion (2005) Original Music Composer
- Passion (2005) Writer
- Broadway: The American Musical (2004) as Self
- Assassins (2004) Music
- Assassins (2004) Lyricist
- Assassins (2004) Songs
- Children Will Listen (2004) as self
- Mostly Sondheim (2003) Songs
- Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (2003) as Self
- Camp (2003) as Self
- Leonard Bernstein: Candide (2003) Writer
- West Side Memories (2003) as Self
- A Little Night Music: Live from the Kennedy Center (2002) Songs
- A Little Night Music: Ravinia Festival Concert (2002) Music
- A Little Night Music: Ravinia Festival Concert (2002) Lyricist
- The Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony (2002) as Self
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) as Self
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) Writer
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) Songs
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) Lyricist
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) Original Music Composer
- Putting It Together (2001) Musical
- Putting It Together (2001) Songs
- Putting It Together (2001) Lyricist
- Putting It Together (2001) Writer
- Putting It Together (2001) Original Music Composer
- Ned Rorem Interviews Stephen Sondheim (2000) as Self
- Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (1998) as Self
- A Conversation With Composer Stephen Sondheim (1997) as Stephen Sondheim
- Company (1996) as Self
- Company (1996) Musical
- Company (1996) Songs
- Company (1996) Lyricist
- Company (1996) Original Music Composer
- Company (1996) Writer
- Passion (1996) Musical
- Passion (1996) Songs
- Passion (1996) Lyricist
- Passion (1996) Writer
- Passion (1996) Original Music Composer
- A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim (1995)
- A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim (1995) Lyricist
- A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim (1995) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1995) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1995) Lyricist
- Anyone Can Whistle: Live at Carnegie Hall (1995) Original Music Composer
- Anyone Can Whistle: Live at Carnegie Hall (1995) Lyricist
- Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II (1995) as Self
- Gypsy (1994) Lyricist
- Gypsy (1994) Theatre Play
- Inside the Actors Studio (1994) as Self
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992) as Self
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992) Songs
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992) Lyricist
- Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall (1992) Original Music Composer
- Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company (1992) Songs
- Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company (1992) Writer
- Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company (1992) Theatre Play
- Pebble Mill (1991) as Self
- Performance (1991) Original Music Composer
- Into the Woods (1991) Musical
- Into the Woods (1991) Songs
- Into the Woods (1991) Writer
- Into the Woods (1991) Original Music Composer
- Candide (1991) Lyricist
- Assassins: A Conversationpiece (1991) as Self
- Dick Tracy (1990) Original Music Composer
- Dick Tracy (1990) Songs
- Assassins (1990) Music
- Assassins (1990) Songs
- New York City Opera: A Little Night Music (1990) Music
- New York City Opera: A Little Night Music (1990) Songs
- New York City Opera: A Little Night Music (1990) Lyricist
- Into the Woods: A Conversationpiece (1990) as Self
- Into the Woods: A Conversationpiece (1990) Writer
- Sunday in the Park with... Stephen (1990)
- Sunday in the Park with... Stephen (1990) Original Music Composer
- The Simpsons (1989) as Stephen Sondheim (voice)
- Leonard Bernstein - Bernstein - Candide (1989) Lyricist
- Sunday in the Park with George (1986) Musical
- Sunday in the Park with George (1986) Songs
- Sunday in the Park with George (1986) Lyricist
- Sunday in the Park with George (1986) Writer
- Sunday in the Park with George (1986) Original Music Composer
- Follies: In Concert (1986) as Self- Composer
- Follies: In Concert (1986) Songs
- Follies: In Concert (1986) Original Music Composer
- Follies: In Concert (1986) Lyricist
- Putting It Together: The Making of the Broadway Album (1986) as Self
- Candide (1986) Writer
- Candide (1986) Lyricist
- Sondheim on Broadway: Follies - Four Days in New York (1986) as Self
- American Playhouse (1982) Writer
- American Playhouse (1982) Songs
- American Playhouse (1982) Theatre Play
- American Playhouse (1982) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982) Musical
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982) Songs
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982) Lyricist
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982) Writer
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982) Original Music Composer
- Reds (1981) Original Music Composer
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Scenes from the Making of a Musical (1980) as Self
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Scenes from the Making of a Musical (1980) Music
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Scenes from the Making of a Musical (1980) Lyricist
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self
- Previn and the Pittsburgh (1977) as Self
- All You Need Is Love: The Story of Popular Music (1977) Writer
- A Little Night Music (1977) Songs
- A Little Night Music (1977) Lyricist
- A Little Night Music (1977) Original Music Composer
- A Little Night Music (1977) Musical
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) as Self
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) Original Music Composer
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) Writer
- Pacific Overtures (1976) Musical
- Pacific Overtures (1976) Songs
- Pacific Overtures (1976) Lyricist
- Pacific Overtures (1976) Music
- Pacific Overtures (1976) Writer
- Pacific Overtures (1976) Original Music Composer
- Anatomy of a Song (1976)
- Stavisky... (1974) Original Music Composer
- June Moon (1974) as Maxie Schwartz
- The Last of Sheila (1973) Writer
- Sondheim: A Musical Tribute (1973)
- Sondheim: A Musical Tribute (1973) Thanks
- The Last of Sheila Featurette (1973) as Self
- Great Performances (1971) as Maxie Schwartz
- Great Performances (1971) as Self
- Original Cast Album: Company (1970) as Self
- Original Cast Album: Company (1970) Music
- Original Cast Album: Company (1970) Songs
- Original Cast Album: Company (1970) Lyricist
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) Songs
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) Original Music Composer
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966) Music
- Evening Primrose (1966) Writer
- Evening Primrose (1966) Songs
- Evening Primrose (1966) Lyricist
- Evening Primrose (1966) Original Music Composer
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- Gypsy (1962) Lyricist
- Gypsy (1962) Theatre Play
- West Side Story (1961) Lyricist
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Nominee
- Merrily We Roll Along Musical
- Merrily We Roll Along Songs
- Merrily We Roll Along Music
- Follies Songs
- Follies Lyricist
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Stephen Sondheim best known for?
Stephen Sondheim is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), West Side Story (2021), West Side Story (2021).
When and where was Stephen Sondheim born?
Stephen Sondheim was born on March 22, 1930 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on November 26, 2021.
How many credits does Stephen Sondheim have?
Stephen Sondheim has accumulated over 251 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2025.
What is Stephen Sondheim's background in cinema and television?
Stephen Joshua Sondheim was an American composer and lyricist born on March 22, 1930, in New York City, New York. He is regarded as an important figure in twentieth-century musical theatre and is credited with reinventing the American musical. Working on Broadway with frequent collaborators Harold Prince and James Lapi...
Stephen Sondheim by the numbers
251credits
230films
21TV series
1956–2025active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Live from Lincoln Center (1976) as Self — aged about 46
- The Simpsons (1989) as Stephen Sondheim (voice) — aged about 59
- Previn and the Pittsburgh (1977) as Self — aged about 47
- tick, tick... BOOM! (2021) as Stephen Sondheim (voice on phone) (uncredited) — aged about 91
- The Kennedy Center Honors (1978) as Self — aged about 48
- Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) as Stephen Sondheim — aged about 92
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