Harold Wheeler, the longtime musical director of Dancing With the Stars has died on June 24 at the age of 82. He led the live orchestra band for the show’s first 17 seasons.
Wheeler had been battling a lengthy illness and passed away at his home in Los Angeles, as per a report in Deadline. The announcement was made by his friend Lamar Richardson. Wheeler was an orchestrator, composer, conductor, arranger, record producer, and music director.
He spent half a century on Broadway, orchestrating dozens of major productions including Promises, Dreamgirls, The Wiz, Hairspray and many others. In addition to Broadway, Wheeler received numerous Tony Awards and Drama Desk Awards nominations for orchestration. His last major project was the 2024 Broadway revival of The Wiz.
He won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations for Hairspray in 2003. In 2019, he received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.
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“Dancing With the Stars” pays tribute to Harold Wheeler
Dancing with the Stars offered tribute to its musical director, Harold Wheeler, in a post shared on Instagram stories. The post read:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Harold Wheeler, whose extraordinary talent and musicianship helped shape the early identity of Dancing with the Stars. As the show’s musical director during its first nine years, Harold brought unparalleled artistry, passion and excellence to every live performance, helping create unforgettable moments for millions of viewers.”
The post added that Harold Wheeler’s contributions in the music industry were an “integral part of the foundation of the show. The team said that they will always cherish his memories and offered “heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and those who had the privilege of working with him.”
Born on July 14, 1943, Harold Wheeler grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He started playing piano at the age of five. He graduated from Sumner High School, earned a B.A. from Howard University, and later received an M.A. in music from the Manhattan School of Music in 1968.
Harold Wheeler began his musical career in the 1960s. He worked as a musical director for Burt Bacharach. In 2004, he acted as a conductor for the 76th Academy Awards. He then made musical arrangements for Tony Orlando and Nina Simone. In 1996, he conducted the opening and closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics.
Derek Hough, a judge on Dancing with the Stars paid his condolences to the late record producer on his Instagram, and described him a “legend” who “helped build so much of the magic we all know.”
He continued his tribute, saying:
“From the Oscars to countless iconic shows, he was a legend. I’ll always remember sending him ideas in my early seasons and that fun moment when Shawn and I tumbled right into his band pit. Harold, thank you for the music, the kindness, and the memories. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Host Tom Bergeron and others, including successor Ray Chew, also paid respects, highlighting his kindness, talent, and impact. The late Broadway orchestrator was married to actress Hattie Winston. They met at Howard University, where Wheeler was her student’s substitute music teacher.
The couple had worked on multiple Broadway productions together, like Two Gentlemen of Verona, and married on December 16, 1978. They remained married until his death in June 2026. The couple had two daughters, Marian and Samantha. Other survivors include his grandchildren.
Edited by Aastha Dass