Richard Lewis Warren obit

Oscar-Nominated Star Shares Heartbreaking News: ‘He Then Took His Last Breath’

Lesley Ann Warren shared a heartfelt tribute following the death of her brother, TV composer Richard Lewis Warren, whose music defined shows like ‘Dallas’ and ‘Remington Steele.’ 

He was not on the list.

Oscar-nominated actress Lesley Ann Warren is mourning a heartbreaking loss. The Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella star, 79, shared on Instagram that her younger brother, Richard Lewis Warren, passed away on October 6.

“My beloved brother passed last night,” Warren wrote. “I was alone with him, telling him about all his amazing accomplishments in this life, his beautiful television compositions, his marathon running, his passionate fathering and his sweet, artistic soul. I told him over and over how proud I was of him and how much I loved him. He then took his last breath. I believe he waited for us to be together.”

Richard Lewis Warren was a prolific television and film composer, contributing scores for some of the most iconic shows of the 1970s and ’80s. His credits include Dallas (94 episodes), Remington Steele (92 episodes), Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, Knots Landing, Cover Up, Moonlighting and Paradise.

In addition to his creative work, Lesley lovingly remembered her brother as a devoted father, runner and artist whose passion extended well beyond his compositions.

Warren’s emotional tribute drew an outpouring of condolences from fans.

“Siblings have that lovely history with us that no one else does or will. My deepest condolences ❤️,” one follower wrote.

Another shared, “My deepest condolences to you and your family. Those so close to us never really leave us; they’re in our dreams and our memories eternally. Such a beautiful moment that he waited for you to be with him during his final physical moments on this earth. 💗.”

A third added, “I am so very sorry, Lesley, my sincere condolences, and may his soul rest easy. 🙏🏻 I am sending so much love to you right now. ❤️ I think it really is that people wait for their loved ones before they pass.”

“What a wonderful send-off you gave him,” another follower wrote. “I’m so sorry for your loss. ❤️.”

Lesley Ann Warren’s illustrious career has spanned more than six decades. She earned an Oscar nomination for Victor/Victoria (1983), five Golden Globe nominations (winning one for Harold Robbins’ 79 Park Avenue), and an Emmy nomination. Her brother’s musical legacy runs parallel — two artists whose contributions defined an era of television and film storytelling.

Composer

Victoria Principal, Barbara Bel Geddes, Patrick Duffy, Larry Hagman, Charlene Tilton, Jim Davis, Linda Gray, and Steve Kanaly in Dallas (1978)

Dallas

7.1

TV Series

Composermusic by

1978–1991

94 episodes

 

Lee Horsley in Paradise (1988)

Paradise

8.0

TV Series

music byComposer

1989–1991

10 episodes

 

Carly's Web (1987)

Carly's Web

6.0

TV Movie

Composer

1987

 

Pierce Brosnan and Stephanie Zimbalist in Remington Steele (1982)

Remington Steele

7.3

TV Series

Composer

1982–1987

92 episodes

 

Shell Game (1987)

Shell Game

6.5

TV Series

music by

1987

1 episode

 

Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd in Moonlighting (1985)

Moonlighting

7.6

TV Series

Composer

1985

3 episodes

 

Jon-Erik Hexum and Jennifer O'Neill in Cover Up (1984)

Cover Up

7.7

TV Series

Composermusic by

1984

8 episodes

 

Loni Anderson and Lynda Carter in Partners in Crime (1984)

Partners in Crime

6.5

TV Series

Composer

1984

1 episode

 

Hart to Hart (1979)

Hart to Hart

6.7

TV Series

Composer

1983

1 episode

 

Cagney & Lacey (1981)

Cagney & Lacey

6.9

TV Series

music composed by

1983

1 episode

 

William Devane, Nicollette Sheridan, Kevin Dobson, Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, and Ted Shackelford in Knots Landing (1979)

Knots Landing

7.0

TV Series

Composer

1981–1982

5 episodes

 

Fred Grandy, Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange, Gavin MacLeod, and Lauren Tewes in The Love Boat (1977)

The Love Boat

6.3

TV Series

Composer

1981–1982

2 episodes

 

Dynasty (1981)

Dynasty

6.4

TV Series

Composer

1981

1 episode

 

A.W.O.L.

Short

Composer

1980

 

Laverne & Shirley (1976)

Laverne & Shirley

7.1

TV Series

Composer

1978

1 episode

 

Valerie Harper in Rhoda (1974)

Rhoda

6.9

TV Series

Composer

1976–1978

46 episodes

 

Music Department

William Devane, Kevin Dobson, Lisa Hartman, Donna Mills, Joan Van Ark, Michele Lee, Michelle Phillips, and Ted Shackelford in Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again (2005)

Knots Landing Reunion: Together Again

8.1

TV Movie

composer: stock music (uncredited)

2005

 

Bruce Willis and Cybill Shepherd in Moonlighting (1985)

Moonlighting

7.6

TV Series

composer: dvd version

1985

1 episode

 

Priscilla Barnes, Debra Clinger, and David Spielberg in The American Girls (1978)

The American Girls

5.7

TV Series

orchestrator (uncredited)

1978

4 episodes

 

Grandpa Goes to Washington (1978)

Grandpa Goes to Washington

6.1

TV Series

composer: additional music

1978

1 episode

 

Valerie Harper in Rhoda (1974)

Rhoda

6.9

TV Series

conductor

1976–1978

46 episodes

 

Actor

Annette Homewood and Kevin Glynn in My Imaginary Life for Someone (2026)

My Imaginary Life for Someone

Dr. Maurice Keen

2026

 

Guillotine (2025)

Guillotine

6.2

Worshipful Master

2025

 

Do Something (2021)

Do Something

Officer Andrews (voice: )

2021

 

Room 566 (2019)

Room 566

6.3

Short

Lester

2019

 

Keith Carradine and Sondra Locke in Ray Meets Helen (2017)

Ray Meets Helen

5.3

Vince (1st Cab Driver) (as Rich Warren)

2017

 

Division 19 (2017)

Division 19

3.5

Businessman

2017

 

Dandekar Makes a Sandwich (2015)

Dandekar Makes a Sandwich

5.9

Short

Customer

2015

 

Speakeasy to Me (2015)

Speakeasy to Me

8.4

Short

Hutchins

2015

 

Heavy Metal Strawberry Pickers (2010)

Heavy Metal Strawberry Pickers

7.8

Short

Bar Owner (as Rich Warren)

2010

 

Running Up That Hill (2010)

Running Up That Hill

Short

Casting Director

2010

 

Napoleon's Charm

Short

Pier De Ville

2009

 

Wild Like Ego

Short

Uncle Bob

2008

 

An Angel Named Billy (2007)

An Angel Named Billy

4.3

Mark

2007

 

The Sanctuary (2001)

The Sanctuary

TV Movie

Frank Matta

2001

 

Soundtrack

John Travolta and Lisa Kudrow in Lucky Numbers (2000)

Lucky Numbers

5.1

Soundtrack ("Laverne and Shirley Cues")

2000