Steve Lawrence is a celebrated American singer and actor whose career has spanned more than six decades. Best known for his work alongside wife and duet partner Eydie Gormé, Lawrence also enjoyed substantial solo success with chart-topping hits such as “Go Away, Little Girl,” “Pretty Blue Eyes,” and “Footsteps.” His rich voice, effortless charm, and frequent television appearances made him a household name during the golden era of pop and variety shows.
Lawrence’s unique blend of vocal talent and on-screen charisma earned him acclaim across multiple platforms—records, Broadway, and prime-time television. While the duo “Steve and Eydie” became a lasting legacy, Lawrence’s individual accomplishments as a pop artist and Emmy-winning actor remain just as significant.
| Full Name | Steve Lawrence (born Sidney Liebowitz) |
|---|---|
| Born | July 8, 1935 – Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Genres | Traditional Pop, Easy Listening, Vocal Standards |
| Years Active | 1951–present |
| Spouse and Partner | Eydie Gormé (married 1957–2013) |
| Labels | Coral, ABC-Paramount, RCA, United Artists, Columbia |
| Biggest Solo Hit | “Go Away, Little Girl” – #1 US Pop, #1 Easy Listening (1963) |
| Other Top Hits | “Pretty Blue Eyes” (#9), “Footsteps” (#4), “Portrait of My Love” (#9) |
| Major TV/Film Appearances | The Carol Burnett Show, The Tonight Show, CSI, The Blues Brothers, Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders |
| Stage Honors | NY Drama Critics’ Circle Award – What Makes Sammy Run? |
| Emmy Awards | 2 wins |
| Legacy | One of the most successful male pop singers of the 1960s; respected by peers like Frank Sinatra |
Early Life and Entry into Show Business
Steve Lawrence was born Sidney Liebowitz on July 8, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in a Jewish household, he was introduced to music early through his father, who was both a house painter and a synagogue cantor. Young Steve sang in synagogue and quickly developed a love for music.
During adolescence, Lawrence briefly gave up singing but pursued piano and saxophone, also dabbling in songwriting and arranging. He later returned to singing and began working as a demo singer at the Brill Building, New York’s famed music industry hub.
He adopted his stage name “Steve Lawrence” by combining the first names of his two nephews.
Early Career Breakthroughs
Lawrence’s big break came in 1951, when he won Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, a popular national radio and TV show. Still in his teens, he signed his first recording contract in 1952, and scored his first charting single that same year with “Poinciana” (which peaked at #21 on the Billboard Pop chart).
Lawrence soon became a featured vocalist on The Tonight Show during its early years under host Steve Allen. His performances caught the attention of Coral Records, where he scored his first Top 10 hit, “Party Doll” (a cover of Buddy Knox’s original hit).
Meeting Eydie Gormé
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It was also on Tonight! where Lawrence met fellow vocalist Eydie Gormé, with whom he formed both a personal and professional partnership. The two married in 1957, launching the duo Steve and Eydie.
The couple recorded for major labels including:
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Coral
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ABC-Paramount
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United Artists
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RCA
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MGM
Their best-known duet hit was “I Want to Stay Here” (1963), which peaked at #28 on the pop chart and #3 on the adult contemporary chart. Though pop chart success as a duo was limited, they became staples of the easy listening genre and a frequent presence on TV variety specials.
Solo Recording Highlights
While Steve and Eydie had success together, Lawrence’s solo career was more commercially prominent during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Major Hits:
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“Pretty Blue Eyes” (1959) – #9 Pop
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“Footsteps” (1960) – #4 US, #4 UK
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“Portrait of My Love” (1961) – #9 Pop
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“Go Away, Little Girl” (1963) – #1 Pop, #1 Easy Listening
“Go Away, Little Girl,” written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, was particularly notable. It made Lawrence one of the few artists at the time to top both the pop and easy listening charts with the same song.
In total, Lawrence placed 22 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and 20 more on the Adult Contemporary chart by the mid-1970s.
Transition to Television and Stage
As pop trends shifted, Lawrence expanded into acting and TV hosting. His credits include:
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The Carol Burnett Show
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The Judy Garland Show
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The Nanny
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Murder, She Wrote
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CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
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Two and a Half Men
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Gilmore Girls
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The Yards
He also appeared in the 1980 comedy film The Blues Brothers, reaching a new audience with a role as a Las Vegas emcee.
Hosting Work:
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Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders – A blooper show he co-hosted with Don Rickles in the 1980s
Broadway Success and Acting Awards
In 1964, Lawrence starred in the Broadway adaptation of What Makes Sammy Run?, based on Budd Schulberg’s novel. His performance earned him critical praise and a New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award.
He has also won two Emmy Awards, further validating his versatility as an entertainer.
In Steve Allen’s Alice in Wonderland TV adaptation, he and Gormé played Tweedledum and Tweedledee, respectively.
Continued Performances and Eydie Gormé’s Retirement
Steve and Eydie continued performing together into the 2000s. Their enduring chemistry and professionalism made them favorites on cruise ships, casino stages, and televised specials.
In 2009, Eydie Gormé retired from performing. Lawrence resumed solo performances but slowed his schedule to care for her. She passed away on August 10, 2013, just shy of her 85th birthday.
Legacy and Honors
Steve Lawrence is widely praised by fellow performers, including Frank Sinatra, who once said that Lawrence was the “best male singer of his generation.”
In addition to his chart success, TV appearances, and acting accolades, Lawrence is remembered as a bridge between the crooner era of the 1940s and the pop culture boom of the 1960s.
He continues to be active in preserving the legacy of traditional pop, with reissues and tribute projects available through his official website and music streaming platforms.