John Leonard Morris (1926-2018) was an American composer, arranger, and conductor, best known for his film scores and his long and fruitful collaboration with director Mel Brooks. For Brooks, he scored iconic films such as *The Producers* (1967), *Young Frankenstein* (1974), and *Blazing Saddles* (1974), demonstrating an exceptional ability to blend comedy and musical parody. His versatility is also evident in his dramatic and acclaimed score for David Lynch's *The Elephant Man* (1980). His career was marked by significant recognition: he received two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Original Song for the song "Blazing Saddles" and another for Best Original Score for *The Elephant Man*. He also won an Emmy Award for the television miniseries *The Adams Chronicles* and a Grammy Award for the album for *The Producers*, establishing himself as one of the most talented composers of his generation, able to span various genres with great mastery.