Arthur Freed was an American lyricist and Hollywood film producer. Freed founded the Freed Unit, which produced most of MGM's outstanding musicals during the '40s and '50s. Freed produced Easter Parade, Show Boat, The Wizard of Oz, and Singin' in the Rain. He also produced An American in Paris, for which he received the Academy Award for Best Picture. Among Freed's popular songs are You and I with Denny Markass and Blue Skies with Ray Brown. Freed served as President of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the '60s and passed away in 1973.