The comic star, who formed a popular double act with comedian and singer Dean martin, is best-known for films such as The Bellboy, The Errand Boy and The Nutty Professor.

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Hamlisch was a musical director and arranger of Streisand's 1994 concert tour and television special, and had recently worked on a musical adaption of the production of "The Nutty Professor, " a musical comedy directed by Jerry Lewis.

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"He was a Nutty Professor, " he told the BBC News website.

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This nutty professor is apparently read and taken seriously by half the policymakers in Washington, including Treasury Secretary Larry Summers--and don't you love the Summers dollar?

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