Biography
Dean Pitchford is an American songwriter, screenwriter, director, actor and novelist. Born in Honolulu in 1951, he performed in stage productions including Godspell and Pippin before turning to songwriting and screenwriting. He graduated from Yale University.
Pitchford wrote the screenplay for the 1984 film Footloose, on which he also collaborated on the songs. He wrote lyrics for the 1980 film Fame, including the Oscar-winning title song. The 2011 remake of Footloose was based on his original screenplay. His other screen work includes the 1989 film Sing.
Pitchford has received an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, with further nominations for three Oscars, eight Grammys and two Tonys. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2024. He has also written novels and contributed to stage musicals.
