Biography
Howard Elliott Ashman (1950–1991) was an American playwright, lyricist and stage director. He studied at Boston University, Goddard College and Indiana University, where he earned an MFA, and later served as artistic director of the WPA Theater in New York.
With composer Alan Menken he created the stage musical Little Shop of Horrors (1982), which he also directed, and wrote the screenplay for its 1986 film adaptation. Ashman joined Walt Disney Animation Studios as lyricist and co-producer on The Little Mermaid (1989). He contributed to Beauty and the Beast (1991) and Aladdin (1992), both released after his death.
Ashman died in New York City on 14 March 1991.
