Friml, (Charles) Rudolf (1879–1972)

Czech-born US pianist and composer. Having studied under Antonín Dvorák at the Prague Conservatory, he settled in the USA in 1906, gaining his citizenship in 1925. He worked extensively on Broadway operettas 1912–34, first winning acclaim for his completion of The Firefly (1912) for Victor Herbert. He contributed to the Ziegfeld Follies (1921–25), and, after settling in Hollywood in 1934, scored numerous films. At the age of 92 he became an original member of the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.

He was born in Prague, Austria-Hungary (now the Czech Republic). Among his many musical works are such standards as ‘Indian Love Song’ from Rose Marie (1924), ‘Some Day’ from The Vagabond King (1925), and ‘The Donkey Serenade’ from the film version of The Firefly (1937).