After all, the wool of a black sheep is just as warm.

For his efforts Lehman received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay as well as a 1960 Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for Best Motion Picture Screenplay. Lehman was nominated for an Academy Award for 1969's Hello Dolly! starring Barbra Streisand. He was survived by a wife Laurie and his son Jonathan as well as two sons (Roger and Alan) from his first marriage.

In 2001 he received an honorary Oscar for his works the first screenwriter to receive that honor. He received 6 Academy Award nominations during his screenwriting career.