Lennie Hayton was an American musician, composer, conductor and arragner.

Hayton was born in New York City, New York. The son of a Manhattan restaurateur, he developed a penchant for the piano when six years old, showing unusual interest in the early classics from the rolls of the family player piano.

While playing at the Park Central, Hayton was heard by Paul Whiteman and immediately engaged by him in April 1928 as second pianist, playing piano and celeste as well as acting as a part-time arranger. Whilst with the Paul Whiteman orchestra, he played with musicians such as Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols and Joe Venuti. In May 1930, Whiteman had to thin down his orchestra as theatre audiences fell due to the economic problems of the day and because of the impact of radio. Hayton and Eddie Lang were amongst the ten members of the band released.

The chance came to re-join Bing Crosby who by late 1931 had enjoyed tremendous success on record, radio and the stage.  Hayton and Eddie Lang provided the musical support to Crosby on his theatre appearances and on his radio shows. In September 1932, Crosby again went on tour with Hayton accompanying him on piano. In New York on October 25, 1932, Hayton led the orchestra for one of Bing Crosby's most famous recordings, "Brother Can You Spare A Dime?," which went to the top of the charts of the day.

Hayton's involvement with Bing Crosby continued and he was made musical director for the singer's film Going Hollywood. This was to be the start of a major career for Hayton in Hollywood. He continued to work with Crosby on radio and record for a while but in 1940 he became a musical director for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and guided it through its prime years as forerunner of the movie musical. Up until his retirement from the post in 1953, he racked up four Academy Award nominations. Hayton passed away in 1971.