Career
Born in New York City, Gershe made his Broadway debut as a lyricist for the 1950 revue Alive and Kicking. He wrote the book for Harold Rome"s musical stage adaptation of Destry Rides Again in 1959, and in 1969 a play, Butterflies are Free. Later Gershe wrote another play, Snacks, intended for Tony Danza.
He wrote the lyrics for the "Born in a Trunk" sequence from the Judy Garland/James Mason musical A Star Is Born.
In the 1950s, Gershe wrote ten scripts for the Ann Sothern sitcom Private Secretary. He also wrote a number of episodes of The Lucy Show.
His screen credits include Funny Face, 40 Carats, and Butterflies Are Free. Gershe died in Beverly Hills, California from complications from a stroke.
1958 Academy Award for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay, Written Directly for the Screen (Funny Face).