Robert Sherman Dead: Disney's Mary Poppins, Jungle Book Songwriter Dies (VIDEO)
Renowned American Disney writer, Robert Sherman, has died in London on Monday night at the age of 86. His son, Jeffrey, took to Facebook to inform fans that the "It's a Small World (After All)" writer went "peacefully."
"I have very sad news to convey. My Dad, Robert B. Sherman, passed away tonight... He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death. He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more," Jeffrey wrote on his Facebook page.
"Please say a prayer for him. As he said, he wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded. His love and his prayers, his philosophy and his poetry will live on forever. Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world," he added.
Sherman was nominated for nine Academy Awards for his famous songwriting and won "Best Original Song" for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from the famous musical film "Mary Poppins" and another for "Best Music, Score - Substantially Original" for the same film.
Also a World War II veteran, Sherman was praised for his ability to create catchy and unique songs for various classic animation films including "The Jungle Book," "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," and "The Slipper and the Rose."
Sherman's time in the army is said to have inspired him to enter the world of songwriting, an industry that saw him win several prestigious awards for his famous classics like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "A Spoonful of Sugar."
Fans, including a number of celebrities, took to Twitter to remember Sherman in the wake of his passing.
"Song of the day: IT'S A SMALL WORLD - THE SHERMAN BROTHERS (R.I.P. ROBERT SHERMAN)," singer Rob Thomas tweeted.
"It's a small world' teaches a wonderful lesson about international friendship. And, makes me smile. #HaveAMagicalDay," Jill Bader tweeted.
"RIP Robert Sherman. Mary Poppins would never have been the same without your songs," Liane Loeppky tweeted.
Sherman had attended Bard College in upstate New York where he majored in English Literature and Painting, and graduated in 1949 and he later received an Honorary Doctorate from Lincoln College.
