Musical theatre and the arts at large, lost a giant today. Marvin Hamlisch has, rather suddenly, passed away. He was 68.

He became a household name in 1973 when he won three Academy Awards for his incredible composing abilities. One of those awards was for The Sting and the other two for The Way Were Were. Sharing the same title as the film itself, "The Way We Were" is undoubtedly one of the most well known musical pieces to date.

Later in the decade, Mr. Hamlisch's gorgeous composition skills would forever be immortalized as musical theatre genius. A Chorus Line opened on Broadway in 1975 and won Mr. Hamlisch a Tony Award and the prestigious Pulitzer Prize. After which he went on to write the score for They're Playing Our Song, THE GOODBYE GIRL, NO FRILLS REVUE, Sweet Smell of Success, and many other wonderful titles.

Also being awarded four Grammys, four Emmys, and two Golden Globes, Mr. Hamlisch is one of the most diversely decorated and honored composers in musical theatre - of each and every one he was immensely deserving.

Before his passing, Mr. Hamlisch held the position of principal pops conductor for a handful of symphony orchestras including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, and more.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Terre.

We at MTI extend our deepest of sympathies and would like to express how dreadfully saddened we are by this news. Marvin, you will be desperately missed by us and the entire musical theatre world. The joy and the laughter you brought us is what we will remember, as we remember you.

Mr. Hamlisch's Playbill obituary can be found here: