Van Dyke Parks

Description

Van Dyke Parks (born January 3, 1943) is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, and actor. Parks is recognized for his collaboration with Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys on the album, SMiLE (including the song "Heroes and Villains"). Parks has created a distinct musical legacy and influence through his own albums, and through his work for other artists and behind the scenes in the music industry. <p>As a child, Parks attended the American Boychoir School. He began his career as a child actor. Between 1953 and 1958 he worked steadily in films and television, including the 1956 movie The Swan (which starred Grace Kelly). He appeared as Ezio Pinza's son Andrew Bonino on the NBC television show Bonino. Parks had a recurring role as Little Tommy Manacotti (the kid from upstairs) on Jackie Gleason's The Honeymooners. <p>Parks originally studied the Clarinet, but had moved to the piano before his study (where he majored in music) at the Carnegie Institute, in Pittsburgh, ...