Lawrence Wolcott Markes (September 24, 1921 – May 19, 1999) was an American comedian, singer and screenwriter.[1]
Markes was born inBrooklyn,New York, and decided at an early age to become a writer. Soon after graduating from theUniversity of Miami, he started settinglyrics to themelody of another young songwriter,Dick Charles. Their first hit was "Mad About Him, Sad About Him, How Can I Be Glad Without Him Blues" (1942), whichDinah Shore recorded successfully forColumbia Records.
DuringWorld War II, Markes was in theUS Army Air Forces. He left the service in 1945, returning to New York and his songwriting collaboration with Charles. They wrote "Along the Navajo Trail", withEddie De Lange, which was recorded byBing Crosby and theAndrews Sisters,Dinah Shore, and theGene Krupa Band. Other songs included "I Tipped My Hat (and Slowly Rode Away)," "It Takes a Long, Long Train with a Red Caboose to Carry My Blues Away," and "May You Always."[2] But his biggest hit was "I.O.U.," co-written (and sung) by Jimmy Dean, which sold more than a million copies. "I.O.U." is a son's acknowledgment of the debts he owes his mother and is frequently played by radio stations on Mother's Day.
Markes also began writing continuity for radio programmes.
After moving toLos Angeles,California in the 1960s, he turned to screenwriting, including thefilmsFor Love or Money (1963), andWild and Wonderful (1965), which starredTony Curtis. He also wrote for television seriesBonanza,Love American Style,McHale's Navy,The Flintstones,Room for One More,My Three Sons,The Jonathan Winters Show, andI Dream of Jeannie.[3]
DuringRonald Reagan's two terms asGovernor of California (1966–1974), Markes added humor into his political speeches.
Markes died in Los Angeles in May 1999, at the age of 77.
