Born Edward Chester Babcock(!) in Syracuse, New York, he died on February 7, 1990 in Rancho Mirage, California.
Often partnering with lyricist Sammy Cahn, Van Heusen won Oscars for "Swinging On A Star" (from Going My Way), "All the Way" (from The Joker is Wild), "High Hopes (from A Hole In the Head) and "Call Me Irresponsible" (from Papa's Delicate Condition).
Music by Van Heusen was heard in the 1967 Hanna-Barbera special Jack and the Beanstalk: "Half Past April, and a Quarter to May", "A Tiny Bit of Faith", "One Starry Moment", "It's Been Nice", "The Woggle-Bird Song" and "Stiffen Up That Upper Lip."
He and Cahn wrote many songs for the 1974 Filmation Associates feature film Journey Back To Oz: "A Faraway Land", "Signpost Song", "Keep A Happy Thought", "The Horse On The Carousel", "B-R-A-N-E", "An Elephant Never Forgets", "You Have Only You", "If You're Gonna Be A Witch - Be A Witch", "H-E-A-R-T", "N-E-R-V-E", "Return To The Land Of Oz March" and "That Feeling For Home."
His songs were often heard in the soundtracks of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, among other cartoons:
"So Help Me" Hamateur Night (1939)
"Good for Nothin' But Love" Porky's Picnic (1939)
"Deep in a Dream" Naughty But Mice, Polar Pals, Hobo Gadget Band, Porky's Picnic, Dangerous Dan McFoo, Little Brother Rat and Fagin's Freshman (all 1939!)
"Oh! You Crazy Moon" The Curious Puppy (1939)
"All This and Heaven Too" Heaven Can Wait, Malibu Beach Party and The Sour Puss (all 1940); Porky's Bear Facts, Goofy Groceries and Toy Trouble (all 1941)
"Heaven Can Wait" Land of the Midnight Fun (1939), Porky's Bear Facts (1941), Foney Fables (1942)
"Swinging on a Star" A Bout with a Trout (1947)
"Nancy With The Laughing Face" American Pop (1981)
"Let's Make Love" Cool World (1992)
"High Hopes" A Goofy Movie (1995), Antz (1998)
"Come Fly With Me" "Ol' Blue Nose"/"Stupid Sidekick Union" (1995 episode of The Ren & Stimpy Show [as "Come Fry With Me"]), Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
"The Second Time Around" "Brian Sings & Swings" (2006 episode of Family Guy)
"My Kind of Town" "He Loves to Fly and He D'ohs" (2007 episode of The Simpsons)
