Solid!

Born

• July 9, 1919

Marriages / Children

• Lou

Earle Hagen

Though his name may not be familiar to everyone, everyone has heard Earle Hagen's music. Hagen wrote the memorable theme songs to many classic television programs. Anyone who grew up in the 1960s or 1970s or enjoys watching reruns of programs from that era should be well familiar with Hagen's work.

Hagen got his start in the music industry soon after graduating high school, playing trombone for such leaders as Isham Jones, Ben Pollack, Ray Noble, Benny Goodman, and Jimmy Dorsey. During WWII he was stationed at the Army Air Corps' Radio and Film Unit in Santa Ana, California. When the war ended he remained in Hollywood, where he worked as a musician and arranger in the film industry. During the 1950s he worked for Twentieth Century Fox.

Hagen began to work in television during the 1960s. He was responsible for the theme songs to such programs as The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., That Girl, The Mod Squad, I Spy, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Hagen also penned the now standard jazz/R&B number ''Harlem Nocturne.''