---
name: "Oscar Hammerstein II"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/oscar-hammerstein-ii"
fi1m_id: "oscar-hammerstein-ii"
imdb_id: "nm0358564"
tmdb_id: 98751
wikidata_id: "Q319693"
roles: ["Writer"]
born: "12 July 1895"
died: "23 August 1960"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "writer"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-05T00:50:33.061344+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Oscar Hammerstein II

## Identity

Oscar Hammerstein II

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/oscar-hammerstein-ii
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** oscar-hammerstein-ii
- **IMDb ID:** nm0358564
- **TMDB ID:** 98751
- **Wikidata ID:** Q319693
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Hammerstein_II, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319693, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0358564/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/98751

Writer. Born 12 July 1895 in Harlem, New York City, New York, USA. Died 23 August 1960.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer
- **Born:** 12 July 1895, Harlem, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 23 August 1960
- **Active:** 1945–1965
- **Also known as:** Oscar Hammerstein 2nd, Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II, オスカー・グリーリー・クレンデニング・ハマースタイン2世
- **Academy Awards:** 2 Oscars (2 won · 3 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as writer, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1940s 70 (1), 1950s 69 (3), 1960s 86 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 68 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Genres:** Romance 5, Drama 3, Music 2, Comedy 1, Family 1, History 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $332m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Hammerstein_II, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q319693, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0358564/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/98751

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Sound of Music*](https://film.one/film/the-sound-of-music.md) (86)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Biography

Oscar Hammerstein II was an American lyricist and librettist. Born on 12 July 1895 in Harlem, New York City, he came from a theatrical family; his grandfather Oscar Hammerstein I was an opera impresario and his uncle Arthur a Broadway producer. He studied at Columbia University and briefly attended law school before entering the theatre as a stage manager for his uncle.

Hammerstein wrote books and lyrics for numerous musicals, collaborating early with Otto Harbach and Jerome Kern on works including *Show Boat* (1927). His most celebrated partnership was with composer Richard Rodgers, beginning in 1943. Together they created *Oklahoma!* (1943), *Carousel* (1945), *South Pacific* (1949), *The King and I* (1951), and *The Sound of Music* (1959), among others. The 1965 film adaptation of *The Sound of Music* credits him for the music and lyrics.

Hammerstein received two Academy Awards for Best Original Song and multiple Tony Awards. He died of cancer on 23 August 1960 in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, allmusic.com.*

## On Fi1m (5)

- *The Sound of Music* (1965), Fi1m 86, Lyricist, Music, Book — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sound-of-music.md)
- *The King and I* (1956), Fi1m 71, Musical, Lyricist, Book — [page](https://film.one/film/the-king-and-i.md)
- *Oklahoma!* (1955), Fi1m 72, Musical, Lyricist, Book, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/oklahoma.md)
- *Carmen Jones* (1954), Fi1m 65, Lyricist, Book — [page](https://film.one/film/carmen-jones.md)
- *State Fair* (1945), Fi1m 70, Lyricist, Screenplay, Book — [page](https://film.one/film/state-fair.md)

## Complete filmography (69)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *CITY THE ANIMATION* (2025), series, Music
- *The Colors Within* (2024), Music
- *My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert* (2024), Lyricist
- *Becoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime* (2022), Lyricist
- *Some Enchanted Evening* (2021), Lyricist, Songs, Music
- *The King and I* (2018), Lyricist, Music, Screenplay
- *The Sound of Music Live!* (2015), Lyricist, Book
- *Show Boat* (2015), Writer, Lyricist
- *Show Boat* (2015), Writer, Lyricist
- *The Sound of Music Live!* (2013), Lyricist, Book
- *Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel: Live from Lincoln Center* (2013), Writer, Lyricist
- *Oklahoma!* (2011), Musical
- *South Pacific* (2010), Musical
- *Oklahoma! (Takarazuka)* (2006), Writer, Lyricist
- *Oklahoma!* (2002), Book
- *South Pacific* (2001), Adaptation, Lyricist, Book
- *Oklahoma!* (1999), Musical, Lyricist
- *The King and I* (1999), Lyricist, Book
- *Cinderella* (1997), Lyricist, Music, Book
- *Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II* (1995), Lyricist
- *The King and I: Recording a Hollywood Dream* (1993), Book, Lyricist
- *I'm a Stranger Here Myself: Kurt Weill in America* (1992), Lyricist
- *Show Boat* (1989), Writer, Lyricist
- *Dobrodruh a kavalír* (1975), Theatre Play
- *Carousel* (1967), Writer, Lyricist
- *The Sound of Music* (1965), Music, Lyricist, Book — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sound-of-music.md)
- *Cinderella* (1965), Lyricist
- *State Fair* (1962), Adaptation, Lyricist, Book
- *Flower Drum Song* (1961), Lyricist, Musical, Book
- *South Pacific* (1958), Theatre Play, Lyricist, Book
- *Cinderella* (1957), Lyricist, Musical, Book
- *The King and I* (1956), Musical, Lyricist, Book — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-king-and-i.md)
- *Carousel* (1956), Lyricist, Musical, Book
- *Oklahoma!* (1955), Musical, Book, Lyricist, Executive Producer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/oklahoma.md)
- *The Desert Song* (1955), Lyricist, Musical
- *Deep in My Heart* (1954), Lyricist
- *The Last Time I Saw Paris* (1954), Lyricist
- *Carmen Jones* (1954), Lyricist, Book — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/carmen-jones.md)
- *Rose Marie* (1954), Writer, Lyricist
- *The Desert Song* (1953), Theatre Play, Lyricist
- *Lovely to Look At* (1952), Lyricist
- *South Pacific* (1952), Writer, Lyricist
- *Show Boat* (1951), Theatre Play, Lyricist, Book
- *America Applauds: An Evening for Richard Rodgers* (1951), Lyricist
- *Centennial Summer* (1946), as Songs
- *State Fair* (1945), Lyricist, Screenplay, Book — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/state-fair.md)
- *The Desert Song* (1944), Theatre Play, Lyricist
- *Broadway Rhythm* (1944), Author
- *Sunny* (1941), Theatre Play
- *New Moon* (1940), Writer, Lyricist
- *The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle* (1939), Adaptation
- *High, Wide and Handsome* (1937), Writer, Lyricist
- *Swing High, Swing Low* (1937), Screenplay
- *Show Boat* (1936), Theatre Play, Screenplay, Lyricist, Book
- *Rose Marie* (1936), Theatre Play, Lyricist
- *The Night Is Young* (1935), Musical
- *Sweet Adeline* (1934), Writer
- *Music in the Air* (1934), Lyricist
- *Children of Dreams* (1931), Writer
- *New Moon* (1930), Musical, Lyricist
- *Viennese Nights* (1930), Writer, Lyricist
- *Sunny* (1930), Musical, Lyricist
- *Golden Dawn* (1930), Lyricist, Musical
- *The Song of the Flame* (1930), Novel, Lyricist
- *The Three Sisters* (1930), Lyricist
- *Song of the West* (1930), as Opera · Lyricist
- *The Desert Song* (1929), Story, Lyricist
- *Show Boat* (1929), Lyricist
- *New Toys* (1925), Theatre Play

## Gallery

- ![Irving Berlin, from a larger photo of him with Rodgers and Hammerstein and Helen Tamiris, watching auditions on stage of the St. James Theatre (1948)](https://film.one/media/person/105584/gallery-d3b4ffda42fa.jpg) Irving Berlin, from a larger photo of him with Rodgers and Hammerstein and Helen Tamiris, watching auditions on stage of the St. James Theatre (1948) — Al Aumuller, World Telegram staff photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/25/Irving_Berlin_Portrait.jpg/1280px-Irving_Berlin_Portrait.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Title: Oscar Hammerstein & wife Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1926)](https://film.one/media/person/105584/gallery-70995f775980.jpg) Title: Oscar Hammerstein & wife Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. (1926) — Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/Oscar_Hammerstein_%26_wife_LCCN2014719221.jpg/1280px-Oscar_Hammerstein_%26_wife_LCCN2014719221.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Oscar Hammerstein II](https://film.one/media/person/105584/gallery-e14ff48835ac.jpg) Oscar Hammerstein II — Z Arthur printed on photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f7/Oscar_Hammerstein_-_portrait.jpg/1280px-Oscar_Hammerstein_-_portrait.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Oscar Hammerstein 2nd (1920)](https://film.one/media/person/105584/gallery-fd6743a09d12.jpg) Oscar Hammerstein 2nd (1920) — Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Oscar_Hammerstein_2nd%2C_ca._1920.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Title: Oscar Hammerstein II & wife Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller.](https://film.one/media/person/105584/gallery-03384a7de76e.jpg) Title: Oscar Hammerstein II & wife Abstract/medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller. — Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Oscar_Hammerstein_II_%26_wife_LCCN2014719121.jpg/1280px-Oscar_Hammerstein_II_%26_wife_LCCN2014719121.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 2 won, 3 nominated

- 1952: Best Original Song (nominated), for *A Kiss to Build a Dream On*
- 1947: Best Original Song (nominated), for *All Through the Day*
- 1946: Best Original Song (won), for *It Might as Well Be Spring*
- 1942: Best Original Song (won), for *The Last Time I Saw Paris*
- 1939: Best Original Song (nominated), for *A Mist Is Over the Moon*

### Other awards — 7 won, 3 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Original Score 1996: Tony Award for Best Original Score (nominated), for *State Fair*
- Grammy Trustees Award 1992: Grammy Trustees Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Musical 1960: Tony Award for Best Musical (won), for *The Sound of Music*
- Tony Award for Best Musical 1959: Tony Award for Best Musical (nominated), for *Flower Drum Song*
- Tony Award for Best Musical 1956: Tony Award for Best Musical (nominated), for *Pipe Dream*
- Tony Award for Best Musical 1952: Tony Award for Best Musical (won), for *The King and I*
- Pulitzer Prize for Drama 1950: Pulitzer Prize for Drama (won), for *South Pacific*
- Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical 1950: Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (won), for *South Pacific*
- Tony Award for Best Musical 1950: Tony Award for Best Musical (won), for *South Pacific*
- Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards 1944: Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards (won), for *Oklahoma!*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/oscar-hammerstein-ii