Bobby Hart, renowned songwriter behind Monkees hits and TV themes, dies at 86

Bobby Hart, the prolific songwriter best known for co-writing major hits for the Monkees and as one half of the hit-making duo Boyce and Hart, has died at age 86. His wife, MaryAnn, confirmed that Hart passed away on Wednesday after a long illness.

Hart, born Robert Luke Harshman on February 18, 1939, in Phoenix, Arizona, rose to prominence in the 1960s alongside songwriting partner Tommy Boyce. Together, they penned a string of hit songs that helped define the Monkees’ sound and success, including the iconic “(Theme From) The Monkees,” the chart-topping “Last Train to Clarksville,” and other classics like “Valleri,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” and “I Wanna Be Free.”

Micky Dolenz, the last surviving member of the Monkees, paid tribute to Hart in a statement, calling him “the stillness that is the eye of the hurricane” and crediting his influence not just musically, but emotionally, during the group’s whirlwind rise.

Beyond the Monkees, Boyce and Hart wrote the enduring theme for the soap opera Days of Our Lives, and were behind the 1964 hit “Come a Little Bit Closer” for Jay and the Americans. They also co-wrote “Hurt So Bad,” which became a pop standard recorded by several artists, most notably Linda Ronstadt in 1980.

The duo found chart success themselves, most notably with the 1967 single “I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight,” which reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. They also appeared on popular TV shows like Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, and The Flying Nun during their brief run as a performing act.

In the 1970s, Hart reunited with Boyce and teamed up with Monkees members Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz to form the group Dolenz, Jones, Boyce & Hart. Though short-lived, the group enjoyed success as a touring act.

In addition to his musical legacy, Hart was nominated for an Academy Award for “Over You” from the 1983 film Tender Mercies. He later became an advocate for spiritual well-being, publishing Yoga and Your Hidden Soul Power in 2024.

Hart is survived by his wife MaryAnn, sons Bret and Bobby Jr., several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and sisters Deborah and Rebecca. A private memorial service will be followed by a public celebration in Los Angeles in spring 2026. Donations in his memory can be made to the Self-Realization Fellowship.