Bobby Hart has died.
The star – one half of the legendary Boyce and Hart songwriting duo, who were behind some of The Monkees’ smash-hit songs, including I Wanna Be Free and Last Train to Clarksville – passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday (10.09.25) aged 86.
Captioning an Instagram photo carousel that featured photos of Bobby, and him with Tommy, the 1960s pop band – originally formed of Micky Dolenz, 80, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork – wrote: “Very sad news to report: Bobby Hart, the songwriting dynamo who was half of the duo responsible for so many Monkees songs, has died.
“With partner Tommy Boyce, Bobby penned tracks like I Wanna Be Free, Last Train to Clarksville, the iconic Monkees theme, and so many more, in addition to his solo songwriting career with hits like Hurts So Bad for Little Anthony and the Imperials.
“He will be remembered for his incredible talent and his innate spirituality.”
The statement continued: “Said Bobby: ‘It’s interesting and gratifying to look back these many years later and see that the Monkees are still with us, and they’re still being played somewhere … the records themselves have been staples that have gone on to sell for years and years.
“They still sound pretty fresh, and that we had an opportunity to do a lot of music that was married to visuals, and so, that in itself kinda seems to ensure that they’ll have a life of their own that’ll probably far outlast mine.’
“You will be so missed, Bobby.”
Dolenz – who is the only surviving member of The Monkees – also paid tribute to Hart.
He said in a statement on Sunday (14.09.25): “Another great is gone. Bobby Hart, who along with Tommy Boyce, penned and produced some of the Monkees’ greatest hits not only made a vital contribution to the popular success of the Monkees, but even more importantly to the essence, the very spirit of the entire venture.
“His talent, charisma, good humor and calmness in the face of what at times was nothing less than a maniacal roller coaster ride often brought a sense of peace that heartened everyone around him.
“He was the stillness that is the eye of the hurricane.”
After Hart – whose health had been deteriorating since he broke his hip in 2024 – and Boyce stopped working with The Monkees, the duo continued working together.
They released the albums Test Patterns and I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonite, as well as appear in sitcoms I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched.
With their experience in writing the song for The Monkees TV show – which focused on the band members – they penned the theme for the soap opera, Days of Our Lives.
In 1994, Boyce died by suicide by gunshot.
Hart had been married twice, most recently to singer Mary Ann Hart.
He leaves behind two children.