DWTS Mourns Death of Harold Wheeler, Longtime Musical Director

After the show lost one of its most beloved members, several figures in the DWTS world—past and present—honored Wheeler on social media.

“In 2005, when you first heard the music of @dancingwiththestars, it was coming from Harold Wheeler and his orchestra,” original host Tom Bergeron wrote in a June 25 Instagram post. “Nothing gave me greater pleasure than making him & his orchestra break up during dress rehearsals. Well, that & basking in the brilliance of their talent. #RIP my friend.”

Meanwhile, former longtime pro and current judge Derek Hough praised Wheeler for helping “build so much of the magic we all know.”

“From the Oscars to countless iconic shows, he was a legend,” he continued in his June 25 Instagram post, which featured Wheeler and his orchestra playing music while he danced on stage. “l’ll always remember sending him ideas in my early seasons and that fun moment when Shawn and I tumbled right into his band pit. Harold, thank you for the music, the kindness, and the memories. Rest in peace, my friend.”