Neil Sedaka
Acting • Born 1939-03-13 – Died 2026-02-27
Biography
Neil Sedaka (March 13, 1939 — February 27, 2026) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Beginning his music career in 1957, he sold millions of records worldwide and wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard Greenfield and Phil Cody. After a short-lived tenure as a founding member of the doo-wop group the Tokens, Sedaka achieved a string of hit singles over the late 1950s and early 1960s, including "Oh! Carol" (1959), "Calendar Girl" (1960), "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" (1961), and "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (1962). His popularity declined by the mid-1960s, but revived in the mid-1970s, solidified by the 1975 US Billboard Hot 100 number ones "Laughter in the Rain" and "Bad Blood". Sedaka maintained a successful career as a songwriter, penning hits for other artists, including "Stupid Cupid" (Connie Francis), "(Is This the Way to) Amarillo" (Tony Christie), and "Love Will Keep Us Together" (Captain & Tennille). As a performer, he had ten No. 1 hits and four as a songwriter. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983 and continued to perform, mounting mini-concerts on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sedaka was hospitalized in Los Angeles after experiencing an undisclosed medical emergency and later died on February 27, 2026, aged 86.
Filmography
45 credits
Neil Sedaka - Legends in Concert
Movie • 2015
Self
ABBA: In Their Own Words
Movie • 2020
Self
Instant Love
Movie • 1964
Himself
Playgirl Killer
Movie • 1967
Bob
Kylie Minogue V The Bee Gees
Movie • 2022
Self (archive footage)
Bob Hope's Comedy Christmas Special
Movie • 1976
The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974
Movie • 1974
Self
ABBA Silver, ABBA Gold
Movie • 2023
Himself - singer-songwriter
Neil Sedaka: The Show Goes On
Movie • 2006
Festival in Rhythm
Movie • 1960
Himself
Neil Sedaka: Live in Concert at the Jubilee Hall
Movie • 1981
Himself
ABBA Forever: A Celebration
Movie • 2019
Self
Food Rocks
Movie • 1994
Neil Moussaka (uncredited)
Neil Sedaka: King of Song
Movie • 2014
Self
The Tony Danza Show
TV • 2004
Self
The Sonny and Cher Show
TV • 1976
The View
TV • 1997
Self
Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest
TV • 1972
Self
Surprise, Surprise
TV • 1984
Self - Performer
Donny & Marie
TV • 1976
Self
Good Morning Britain
TV • 2014
Self
American Idol
TV • 2002
Self - Guest Judge
The King of Queens
TV • 1998
Neil Sedaka
Shindig!
TV • 1964
Self - Singer / Pianist
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
TV • 2007
Self
Pebble Mill
TV • 1991
Self
The Heaven and Earth Show
TV • 1998
The Garden Party
TV • 1998
Tony Orlando and Dawn
TV • 1974
Self
The Dick Clark Show
TV • 1958
Self
This Is Pop
TV • 2021
Self
Look - Mike Yarwood!
TV • 1971
Ein Kessel Buntes
TV • 1972
Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV • 1948
Self
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Guest Co-Host
Musikladen
TV • 1972
Self
Na sowas!
TV • 1982
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self
The Carol Burnett Show
TV • 1967
Self
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Musical Guest
Legends
TV • 2006
Self
Shindig!
TV • 1964
Self - Singer
The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self
The Music Biz
TV • 1995
Self