Andrew Gold, a songwriter and musician famous for his songs “Lonely Boy,” “Never Let Her Slip Away,” and “Thank You For Being A Friend,” which later became the theme song for The Golden Girls passed away June 3 at the age of 59.  According to his family, Gold had renal cancer and may have had a heart attack in his sleep.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie Kogan, daughters Emily, Victoria, and Olivia, and his mother, Marni Nixon.  Nixon herself is a noted performer.  She provided uncredited, dubbed vocals in some of Hollywood’s biggest movie musicals.  She provided the vocals for Deborah Kerr in The King & I, Natalie Wood in West Side Story, Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, and a few of the top notes for Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.