Entertainment Industry Mourns The Death Of Judy Parker
Gaudio, Songwriter-Actress
Married 45 Years To Songwriter-Producer Bob Gaudio,
Founding Member of The Four Seasons & Jersey Boys Fame
PR Newswire
September 19, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Judy
Parker Gaudio (age 79), writer of Billboard chart-topping songs and Broadway
hits, passed away peacefully from respiratory complications on Thursday, her
husband Bob Gaudio confirmed. Among her most well-known songs are
"December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)" and "Who Loves You,"
which were recorded by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.
Judy Parker was introduced to Bob Gaudio, a founding
member of The Four Seasons, in 1973 at the Motown Studios in Los Angeles, while
Bob was recording a Marvin Gaye/Diana Ross duet. They dated for 8 years and
were married on April 5,1981. In their 45 years together, they co-wrote a
number of top 5 songs for Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Some of those
were prominently featured in the Tony, Grammy, and Olivier Award-winning
musical, Jersey Boys, which became the 12th longest-running musical in Broadway
history.
Born and raised in Michigan, Judy was one of seven
children and the daughter of an Army Colonel; she also attended Michigan State
University. Before her songwriting career began, Judy pursued a career in
acting and modeling, including four years working in Rome, Italy. This young
Michigander adopted the Italian language and culture quite quickly.
When she moved back to the U.S. in the late 1960's, Judy
secured featured roles in a number of television shows, including Batman,
Bonanza, and My Three Sons. Additionally, her work in commercials included
United Airlines, and a wide variety of hair products such as Breck, Halo, Prell
and Lilt Home Permanent.
Of all her successes, a significant moment came for Judy
when she co-wrote, with her husband, the title song for Neil Diamond's 1977
NBC TV special, "Glad You're Here with Me Tonight."
Judy was an incredibly entertaining storyteller with a
wicked sense of humor. Songwriting, interior decorating, and family were her
loves, along with the Sunday New York Times' crossword puzzle. A woman of
strong faith and philanthropic spirit, she gave generously to Samaritan's Purse
and Wounded Warrior Project. Judy and Bob made homes at the San Remo on Central
Park West and Montauk, NY, however, they always maintained their primary
residence in Nashville, TN.
Judy Parker Gaudio passed away at Vanderbilt University
Hospital in Nashville, TN at 4:55 pm on her birthday. It was, ironically,
within 10 minutes of her time of birth. Now, is that style or what?
Judy was preceded in death by parents, Dorothy and Wilbur
Small, sister Janice McKinley, and brother, Bill Small.
She is survived by a cast of thousands.
PARKER, Judy (Judith Parker)
Born: 9/14/1938,
Westland, Michigan, U.S.A.
Died: 9/14/2017,
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
Julie Parker’s
western – actress:
Bonanza (TV) – 1967 (Julie)
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