Did You Know that Mr. Shorofsky from “Fame” Wrote the Music for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”?

Albert Hague, recognizable for his role in the original “Fame” movie and the 1980s TV series, also wrote the music for the beloved Christmas classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”

If you were around in the 1980s, you likely remember the movie Fame (1980), which also became a TV series that ran from 1982 until 1987. One of the actors in Fame had earlier found success writing music for a beloved Christmas animated special, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Albert Hague as Mr. Shorofsky

The movie Fame was later remade in 2009, but both the 1980’s version of the movie and of the series featured the character of Benjamin Shorofsky. Mr. Shorofsky was a teacher with more traditional ideas of music who sometimes butted heads with the more “hip” students. The actor who played Mr. Shorofsky, Albert Hague, was also an established musician in his own right. He wrote music for several Broadway musicals, even winning the Best Score Tony Award in 1959 for Bob Fosse’s musical Redhead.  But his music that you most likely recognize is what he wrote for the Christmas 1966 animated special, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

In this scene from the original movie, Mr. Shorofsky debates about the future of music with Bruno (Lee Curreri), a student at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts.

Below is a scene from the second season of the Fame TV series. In it, Hague, as Shorosfsky, sings “Did I Ever Really Live?” as the same student, Bruno, again played by Lee Curreri, looks on.

Hague had earlier written the music for the popular song.

Music for The Grinch

As for Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Hague is credited with composing the music for the 1966 special, long before his work on Fame. While songs like “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” feature lyrics by Dr. Seuss, the music comes from Hague. In the special, that song is performed by Thurl Ravenscroft.

And Hague also wrote the music for the featured song “Welcome Christmas.” The Who’s perform the song in the special.

Hague was born in Berlin, Germany on October 13, 1920 as part of a Jewish family. As Hitler rose to power, Hague moved to America, earning a music scholarship at the University of Cincinnati. After graduating in 1942, he served in the United States Army’s special service during World War II.

During his music career Hague often collaborated with his wife, Renee Orin. She passed away in 2000, and Hague followed her on November 12, 2001.

The next time you enjoy How the Grinch Stole Christmas, say a little thanks to Mr. Shorofsky.

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    What Song Did George Bailey Sing?: A Quiz on Christmas Songs on the Screen

    It's a  Wonderful Life
    Test your knowledge of the classic songs appearing in movies and holiday television specials with these ten questions (plus a bonus question). How well do you know your Christmas music? Answers and videos of all the songs appear at the end with your score.

    1. At the end of A Charlie Brown Christmas, what song do the Peanuts gang sing?





    2. The Christmas classic "White Christmas" first appeared in what film?





    3. What film first featured the song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"?





    4. Near the end of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the Grinch has a transformation when he hears the Who's singing what song?





    5. At the end of Scrooged (1988), Bill Murray and the cast sing what song after the small miracle of the child saying "God Bless Us Everyone"?





    6. At the end of It's a Wonderful Life, what song do the Baileys and their friends sing after Harry's toast and as Clarence gets his wings?





    7. Near the end of Elf (2003), a blonde Zoey Deschanel gets the crowd in Central Park to sing what song to prove their faith in Santa Claus?





    8. The holiday classic song "Silver Bells" first appeared in what film?





    9. What movie features a washed up rock star singing a Christmas song with the lyrics, "There's no beginning, / There'll be no end / 'Cause on Christmas / You can depend"?





    10. Here's your holiday gift: Which television special featured the song, "Holly Jolly Christmas"?





    Bonus Question: Which holiday television special featured a duet by Heat Miser and his step-brother Snow Miser?







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