Harold Wheeler, original DWTS musical director, dies at 82

Harold Wheeler, the original musical director and composer for Dancing With the Stars during its first 17 seasons from 2005 to 2013, has died at 82. He passed Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles following a lengthy illness. A famed Broadway orchestrator, he received a Special Tony Award in 2019 for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, and his exit from the show was confirmed in 2014 before the 18th season.

Tom Bergeron, who hosted the series for its first 28 seasons, posted a tribute on Instagram: "In 2005, when you first heard the music of @dancingwiththestars, it was coming from Harold Wheeler and his orchestra. Nothing gave me greater pleasure than making him & his orchestra break up during dress rehearsals.

Well, that & basking in the brilliance of their talent.

harold wheeler, dwts, musical director, composer, broadway orchestrator, tony award, lifetime achievement, tom bergeron, los angeles, age 82