Trivia

Nearly died after being hit by a car at 16 in 1945. The accident highlighted the need for a local hospital. With money and land donations from locals and John Hay Whitney, William Paley and Perry Como (who hosted a fund raiser), North Shore Hospital (Manhasset, NY) was opened in 1953.

Won Broadway's 1975 Tony Award as Best Book (Musical) with collaborators James Lee Barrett and Philip Rose for "Shenandoah." He also had two other Tony nominations: in 1970, as co-author of book, with Ossie Davis and Philip Rose, for Best Musical nominee "Purlie;" and, also in 1975, as Best Score, his lyrics with Gary Geld's music, for "Shenandoah."