Composer Marvin Hamlisch Died From Lung Failure

Marvin Hamlisch

Legendary Hollywood composer Marvin Hamlisch, one of the very few people in the world to receive an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award, suffered from brain damage in the weeks before his death but ultimately succumbed to lung failure, according to his death certificate.

The document, filed in L.A., shows Hamlisch died on August 6th primarily from respiratory arrest, A.K.A. lung failure, caused by a combination of anoxic brain encephalopathy, failure of oxygen to reach the brain, and hypertension, known as high blood pressure.

The document says Hamlisch suffered from A.B.E. in the weeks before his death, though it’s not clear if he was aware of the condition or exhibiting symptoms.

Hamslisch won 2 Academy Awards for composing the music for “The Way We Were” and one Oscar for “The Sting.” He also worked on music for “Sophie’s Choice,” “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “A Chorus Line.”