MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Who is Stephen J Lawrence's wife? Musician, 82, composed over 300 ‘Sesame Street’ songs

Stephen J Lawrence, who won 3 Daytime Emmy awards for music direction and composition on 'Sesame Street', was married to Cantor Cathy Lawrence

A host of public figures passed away at the end of 2021 and one of them was Daytime Emmy-winning musician Stephen J Lawrence. The acclaimed music producer breathed his last on December 30, 2021.  He was best known as a composer for ‘Sesame Street’. Stephen was 82 at the time of his death. The unfortunate news of his demise was confirmed by his wife to The Hollywood Reporter.
 
Stephen J Lawrence died at Clara Maas Medical Center in Belleville, New Jersey. However, the cause behind his death was not shared. Speaking of recent celebrity deaths, the fans mourned the passing away of Hollywood legend Betty White. She died at the age of 99 just a few days short of her 100th birthday. Iconic comedian Mort Sahl, rapper Lil Meri, acclaimed hip-hop producer Traxamillion, and ‘Comic Book Men’ star Robert Bruce were other celebs who have died recently.
 
RELATED ARTICLES
How did Angela Kukawski die? Kardashians and Nicki Minaj mourn murder of 55-yr-old biz manager

How did Betty White die? Celebs mourn death of veteran actress ahead of 100th b'day

Who is Stephen J Lawrence's wife?

Stephen J Lawrence was born in September 1939 and pursued music as a full-time career. He had studied B.A. in music from Hofstra University. The renowned musician’s most loved music was for ‘Sesame Street.’ He composed more than 300 songs for the kid’s educational series, serving as a composer, music director, arranger and conductor for the iconic children's show for over 30 years. ‘Fuzzy and Blue (and Orange)’ is one of his most recognized single. Thanks to his dedication and extensive work on the series, he ended up winning three Daytime Emmy awards for outstanding achievement in music direction and composition.  
 
Stephen J Lawrence is survived by his wife Cantor Cathy Lawrence, brother Robert, daughter Hannah Jones Anderson, son-in-law Seth Anderson, grandson Arthur and stepsons Sam and Nick Kline. The musician was earlier married to Christine Jones in 1984. He then again got married in the year 2002 to Cathy Schwartzman. His wife did not release an official statement on the composer’s death. Lawrence also served as the musical director and co-music producer on the 1972 album 'Free to Be You and Me'. His other notable work came in the form of 1973 Robert DeNiro-starrer 'Bang the Drum Slowly', along with the 1976 'One Summer Love' and 'Alice, Sweet Alice', the live-action musical 'Red Riding Hood' and HBO animated musical 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' that was released in 1991.

‘Sesame Street made its mark on generations’

A few social media users mourned the death of the composer on Twitter. One got nostalgic about ‘Sesame Street’ and stated, “What a shame.  My three kids watched it from the day it started, then my grandson did too.  I also bought him the CTW computer games & apps for math etc.  They taught them so much.  I hate that is only on once in a while because kids miss out on so much.”  Another stated, “I bought Free to Be when my daughter was so little.  We played it daily. She’s sending her kids off to college this year . I still have the album Thank you so much.” The next one tweeted, “I loved that album! Still know most of the words to the songs. #RIP”, as one concluded, “Sesame Street made its mark on generations. May Stephen J Lawrence soul rest in peace.”