Renowned songwriter Richard M. Sherman, known for his collaborations with brother Robert B. Sherman on iconic Disney songs, has sadly passed away at the age of 95. Richard Sherman's death was attributed to an age-related illness and occurred on Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills.

The Sherman brothers were best known for their role as inhouse songwriters for Disney during a time when such a job was common. Their partnership with Disney began after their song "Tall Paul" became a hit for Mouseketeer Annette Funicello in 1958. In the early 1960s, they wrote unforgettable tunes for Disney films like "The Parent Trap," "In Search of the Castaways," and "Summer Magic" starring Hayley Mills. Their knack for crafting catchy tunes led to their collaboration on the animated film "The Sword in the Stone," followed by their career-defining success with the songs for "Mary Poppins" in 1964.

The Shermans' work on "Mary Poppins" earned them two Oscars, one for the film's music score and another for the beloved song "Chim Chim Cher-ee." The film's score also included iconic tunes like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "A Spoonful of Sugar," as well as Walt Disney's personal favorite, "Feed the Birds."

Following Walt Disney's death in 1966, the Sherman brothers continued to provide their musical talent to Disney, contributing to the 1967 film "The Jungle Book" among others. They also branched out and worked on projects outside of Disney, like the 1968 film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," for which they received their third Academy Award nomination. Regardless of the project, their songs always embodied a trademark Disney sensibility, filled with positivity and catchy melodies.

In 1973, the Sherman brothers achieved another milestone when they became the first Americans to win the top prize at the Moscow Film Festival for their work on "Tom Sawyer." They also wrote the screenplay and song score for the musical retelling of Cinderella, titled "The Slipper and the Rose" in 1976.

Despite experiencing some misfires, the Sherman brothers' best work has stood the test of time. In 2000, they returned to Disney to compose the song score for "The Tigger Movie," marking their first collaboration with the studio in nearly 30 years. Their enduring legacy even led to the creation of stage adaptations of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Mary Poppins," which debuted in London's West End in 2002 and 2004 respectively.

Richard Sherman's passing comes eight years after his brother Robert's death in 2012. However, Richard continued to champion their work, participating in screenings and sing-along events to honor their musical contributions. Together, the Sherman brothers amassed an impressive collection of awards, including nine Oscars, two Grammy Awards, and 23 gold and platinum albums. In 2008, they were honored with the National Medal of Arts at the White House.

To commemorate their monumental career, Disney released the documentary "The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story" in 2009, which shed light on their creative journey. The following year, they released "The Sherman Brothers Songbook," a comprehensive two-CD set comprising 42 years' worth of their Disney songs.

In recent times, Richard Sherman made a special appearance in the animated short film "Once Upon a Studio," celebrating the magic and stories of Disney over the past century. His cameo was suggested by Matthew Walker, the head of music at the studio, and it was a memorable and touching moment for all involved.

Bob Iger, the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, expressed his sadness at Richard Sherman's passing, calling him the embodiment of a Disney legend. Iger acknowledged the profound impact the Sherman Brothers' songs had on multiple generations and extended his deepest condolences to the family.

Richard Sherman's legacy as a legendary songwriter was deeply rooted in his family's connection to music. Born in 1928, three years after his brother Robert, Richard grew up in a musical household. After graduating from Beverly Hills High School in 1946, he pursued his passion for music and eventually found his place in the industry.

Richard Sherman is survived by his two children, Gregory and Victoria, from his marriage to Elizabeth Gluck. He also had a daughter, Lynda (Sherman) Rothstein, from a previous marriage.

The world of music and entertainment has truly lost an iconic figure with the passing of Richard M. Sherman. His uplifting and memorable songs will continue to be cherished by audiences for generations to come.