George David Weiss, who helped write ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and other hit songs, dies

‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ songwriter dies at 89

OLDWICK, N.J. — George David Weiss, a hall of fame songwriter who helped write chart-topping pop hits including “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” has died.

His wife, Claire, says he died Monday of natural causes at his home in Oldwick, N.J. He was 89.

Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley were among the popular artists who had recorded songs that Weiss wrote or co-wrote. He had also collaborated on several Broadway musicals.

Weiss was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984.

He was president of the Songwriters Guild of America from 1982 to 2000 and often testified before government agencies, mostly on copyright issues.