George Weiss was a songwriter who had a hand in some of the biggest hits of midcentury pop music. Among his most famous numbers were "Can't Help Falling in Love", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "What a Wonderful World". He collaborated on several Broadway musicals, the best known of which is Mr. Wonderful in 1956 for which Mr. Weiss contributed original music and lyrics with Jerry Bock and Larry Holofcener. His other Broadway credits include First Impressions in 1959, Pride and Prejudice and Maggie Flynn in 1968.

Mr. Weiss was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. As president of the Songwriters Guild of America from 1982 to 2000, he spoke widely about copywright issues and testified before government bodies.

Mr. Weiss, who played the violin, piano, saxophone and clarinet, earned a bachelor's degree in music theory from the Julliard School and afterward served as a military bandleader in World War II before beginning his songwriting career.

Source: New York Times obituary