Cast & creator
Stephen Sondheim
Best known for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Simpsons, The Colbert Report
Stephen Joshua Sondheim (/ˈsɒndhaɪm/; March 22, 1930 – November 26, 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. Regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theatre, he is credited with reinventing the American musical. With his frequent collaborators Harold Prince and James Lapine, Sondheim's Broadway musicals tackled unexpected themes beyond the genre's traditional subjects while addressing darker elements of the human experience. His music and lyrics are tinged with complexity, sophistication, and ambivalence about various aspects of life. Sondheim's interest in musical theatre began at a young age, and Oscar Hammerstein II mentored him. He started his career by writing the lyrics for West Side Story (1957) and Gypsy (1959). He transitioned to writing both music and lyrics for the theatre, with his best-known works including A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), and Into the Woods (1987). Sondheim's numerous awards and nominations include eight Tony Awards, an Academy Award, eight Grammy Awards, an Olivier Award, and the Pulitzer Prize. He also was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 1993 and a Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. A theatre is named after him both on Broadway and in London's West End. Film adaptations of his works include West Side Story (1961), Gypsy (1962), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1966), A Little Night Music (1977), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street(2007), Into the Woods (2014), and West Side Story (2021). Description above from the Wikipedia article Stephen Sondheim, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Also known as: Stephen Joshua Sondheim
232
film credits
22
television credits
54
1956–2028 · acting roles
7.6
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (254)
Showing 254 of 254 credits
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Guest
2015
The Simpsons
Stephen Sondheim (voice)
1989
The Colbert Report
Self
2005
The Merv Griffin Show
Self
1962
Great Performances
Maxie Schwartz
1971Great Performances
Self
1971
The South Bank Show
1978
American Playhouse
Writer
1982American Playhouse
Songs
1982American Playhouse
Theatre Play
1982American Playhouse
Music
1982
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee
1956Pebble Mill
Self
1991
Performance
Original Music Composer
1991
The Kennedy Center Honors
Self
1978
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Stephen Sondheim
2022Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
In Memory Of
2022
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Musical
2007Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music
2007Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Songs
2007Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Lyricist
2007Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Original Music Composer
2007
Live from Lincoln Center
Self
1976Live from Lincoln Center
Original Music Composer
1976Live from Lincoln Center
Writer
1976
West Side Story
Thanks
2021West Side Story
Lyricist
2021West Side Story
Theatre Play
2021
Into the Woods
Musical
2014Into the Woods
Songs
2014Into the Woods
Original Music Composer
2014Into the Woods
Lyricist
2014
Previn and the Pittsburgh
Self
1977
West Side Story
Lyricist
1961
tick, tick... BOOM!
Stephen Sondheim (voice on phone) (uncredited)
2021
Dick Tracy
Original Music Composer
1990Dick Tracy
Songs
1990
The Last of Sheila
Writer
1973
Merrily We Roll Along
Music
2025Merrily We Roll Along
Lyricist
2025Merrily We Roll Along
Musical
2025Merrily We Roll Along
Original Music Composer
2025Merrily We Roll Along
Writer
2025
Broadway: The American Musical
Self
2004
Reds
Original Music Composer
1981
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Songs
1966A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Original Music Composer
1966A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Music
1966
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic
Musical
2014Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic
Music
2014Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic
Songs
2014Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic
Lyricist
2014Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic
Original Music Composer
2014Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic
Writer
2014
All You Need Is Love: The Story of Popular Music
Writer
1977
Gypsy
Lyricist
1962Gypsy
Theatre Play
1962
Inside the Actors Studio
Self
1994
Pacific Overtures
Musical
1976Pacific Overtures
Lyricist
1976Pacific Overtures
Songs
1976Pacific Overtures
Music
1976Pacific Overtures
Writer
1976Pacific Overtures
Original Music Composer
1976
Six by Sondheim
Self / Joe
2013Six by Sondheim
Songs
2013Six by Sondheim
Writer
2013
Stavisky...
Original Music Composer
1974
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Scenes from the Making of a Musical
Self
1980Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Scenes from the Making of a Musical
Lyricist
1980Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Scenes from the Making of a Musical
Music
1980
Assassins
Music
2004Assassins
Lyricist
2004Assassins
Songs
2004
Into the Woods
Musical
1991Into the Woods
Songs
1991Into the Woods
Writer
1991Into the Woods
Original Music Composer
1991
A Little Night Music
Songs
1977A Little Night Music
Lyricist
1977A Little Night Music
Original Music Composer
1977A Little Night Music
Musical
1977
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
Self
2003
Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened...
Self
2016Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened...
Songs
2016Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened...
Lyricist
2016
A Little Night Music: Ravinia Festival Concert
Music
2002A Little Night Music: Ravinia Festival Concert
Lyricist
2002
June Moon
Maxie Schwartz
1974
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
Songs
2022
Camp
Self
2003
Sondheim! The Birthday Concert
Self - Honoree
2010Sondheim! The Birthday Concert
Songs
2010
Something's Coming: West Side Story
Self
2021
Merrily We Roll Along
Original Film Writer
2002
On Broadway
Self (archive footage)
2019
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Musical
1982Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Songs
1982Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Lyricist
1982Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Original Music Composer
1982Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Writer
1982
Sunday in the Park with George
Musical
1986Sunday in the Park with George
Songs
1986Sunday in the Park with George
Lyricist
1986Sunday in the Park with George
Original Music Composer
1986Sunday in the Park with George
Writer
1986
Keeping Company with Sondheim
Self
2022
Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh
Self
1998
National Theatre Live: Follies
Musical
2017National Theatre Live: Follies
Songs
2017National Theatre Live: Follies
Lyricist
2017
Passion
Songs
2005Passion
Original Music Composer
2005National Theatre Live: Follies
Writer
2017Passion
Writer
2005
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Self
2001Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Music
2001Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Writer
2001Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Songs
2001Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Lyricist
2001Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Original Music Composer
2001
West Side Story
Lyricist
2025Merrily We Roll Along
Music
Merrily We Roll Along
Songs
Merrily We Roll Along
Musical
National Theatre Live: West Side Story
Lyricist
2028
Mostly Sondheim
Songs
2003
Simply Sondheim
Writer
2021
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Writer
2012Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Original Music Composer
2012
Evening Primrose
Writer
1966Evening Primrose
Songs
1966Evening Primrose
Lyricist
1966Evening Primrose
Original Music Composer
1966
The Stories of West Side Story
Self
2022
Assassins
Music
1990Assassins
Songs
1990
Original Cast Album: Company
Self
1970Original Cast Album: Company
Music
1970Original Cast Album: Company
Lyricist
1970Original Cast Album: Company
Songs
1970
Gypsy
Lyricist
1994Gypsy
Theatre Play
1994
Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
Self
1992Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
Songs
1992Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
Lyricist
1992Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
Original Music Composer
1992
Harold Prince: The Director's Life
2018
Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II
Self
1995
New York City Opera: A Little Night Music
Music
1990New York City Opera: A Little Night Music
Lyricist
1990New York City Opera: A Little Night Music
Songs
1990
Merrily We Roll Along
Lyricist
2013Merrily We Roll Along
Music
2013Merrily We Roll Along
Songs
2013Merrily We Roll Along
Writer
2013Merrily We Roll Along
Musical
2013
Cameron Mackintosh - The First 50 Years
Self
2021
Company
Songs
2011Company
Lyricist
2011Company
Writer
2011Company
Original Music Composer
2011Company
Musical
2011
Anatomy of a Song
1976
A Place for Us: West Side Story's Legacy
Self
2011
Into the Woods: A Conversationpiece
Self
1990Into the Woods: A Conversationpiece
Writer
1990
A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim
1995A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim
Lyricist
1995A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim
Music
1995Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Burton + Carter + Depp = Todd
Self
2008
Sondheim on Broadway: Follies - Four Days in New York
Self
1986
Candide
Lyricist
2023
West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic
Self
2016
Putting It Together: The Making of the Broadway Album
Self
1986
Into the Woods
Musical
2011Into the Woods
Writer
2011
Follies: In Concert
Self- Composer
1986Follies: In Concert
Songs
1986Follies: In Concert
Original Music Composer
1986Follies: In Concert
Lyricist
1986
Putting It Together
Musical
2001Putting It Together
Songs
2001Putting It Together
Lyricist
2001Putting It Together
Writer
2001Putting It Together
Original Music Composer
2001
Kings of Broadway 2020: A Celebration of the Music of Jule Styne, Jerry Herman, and Stephen Sondheim
Songs
2020
Company: A Musical Comedy
Lyricist
2008Company: A Musical Comedy
Songs
2008Company: A Musical Comedy
Original Music Composer
2008Company: A Musical Comedy
Writer
2008Company: A Musical Comedy
Musical
2008
Sunday In the Park with George
Musical
2013Sunday In the Park with George
Songs
2013Sunday In the Park with George
Lyricist
2013
Jonas Kaufmann: Arena di Verona 2023
Music
2023
Becoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime
Music
2022Becoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime
Lyricist
2022
A Little Night Music: Live from the Kennedy Center
Songs
2002
Leonard Bernstein - Bernstein - Candide
Lyricist
1989Candide
Writer
2007
Marry Me a Little
Songs
2020
Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company
Songs
1992Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company
Writer
1992Gypsy: Live from the Southern Arizona Light Opera Company
Theatre Play
1992
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music
1995Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Lyricist
1995
Chita: A Legendary Celebration
Lyricist
2020
The Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony
Self
2002
Sondheim: A Musical Tribute
1973Sondheim: A Musical Tribute
Thanks
1973
Gypsy
Musical
2015Gypsy
Lyricist
2015Gypsy
Writer
2015
Anyone Can Whistle: Live at Carnegie Hall
Original Music Composer
1995Anyone Can Whistle: Live at Carnegie Hall
Lyricist
1995
West Side Story
Songs
2016
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Writer
2008Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Songs
2008
Candide
Lyricist
2005
Witness to 'Reds'
Self
2006
Sunday in the Park with... Stephen
1990Sunday in the Park with... Stephen
Original Music Composer
1990
Company
Self
1996Company
Musical
1996Company
Lyricist
1996Company
Songs
1996Company
Writer
1996Company
Original Music Composer
1996
West Side Memories
Self
2003
Candide
Writer
1986Candide
Lyricist
1986Leonard Bernstein: Candide
Writer
2003
Judy Collins: A Love Letter to Stephen Sondheim
Music
2016The Last of Sheila Featurette
Self
1973
Passion
Musical
1996Passion
Songs
1996Passion
Lyricist
1996Passion
Writer
1996Passion
Original Music Composer
1996
Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Writer
2009Sweeney Todd: the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Music
2009
Children Will Listen
self
2004
Assassins: A Conversationpiece
Self
1991
A Conversation With Composer Stephen Sondheim
Stephen Sondheim
1997
Ned Rorem Interviews Stephen Sondheim
Self
2000
Follies
Lyricist
2013Follies
Songs
2013Follies
Writer
2013Follies
Musical
2013
Candide
Lyricist
1991
Follies
Songs
Follies
Lyricist
Into The Woods (AUS Productions)
Writer
2024