<em>The Color Purple</em> Composer Allee Willis Dies at 72
Willis is also well known for cowriting songs for Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as the iconic Friends theme song.
Today is Thursday, September 17, 2026 Broadway Baby Birthdays: Constantine Maroulis Tara FitzGerald Kyle Chandler Be Be Winans Baz Luhrmann Rita Rudner Stanley Earl Harrison Steve Sanders John Ritter Lupe Ontiveros LaMonte McLemore Paul Benedict Ken Kesey Pat Crowley Anne Bancroft David Huddleston Tresa Hughes Roddy McDowall Dorothy Loudon Hank Williams Ib Melchior Anthony Quayle William Wister Haines Earl Sydnor Dolores Costello Winnie Lightner George Burton Edward E. Paramore, Jr. O. P. Heggie Effie Ellsler Emile Augier Danielle Brooks Nick Cordero Baylen Thomas Tim O'Heir Craig Zakarian Janet Williams Adderley Kurt Knudson Alec Coppel