He roomed with his close friend, film actor James Cagney [a former Columbia undergrad], and began playing with bands in Greenwich Village and making the rounds on Tin Pan Alley.
He contributed material to a large number of movies, including those of the famous Busby Berkeley before moving to Disney in 1947.
Wrubel also contributed to the films Make Mine Music, Duel in the Sun, I Walk Alone, Melody Time, Tulsa, Never Steal Anything Small and Midnight Lace.
The lyricists with whom he collaborated included Abner Silver, Herb Magidson, Charles Newman, Mort Dixon and Ned Washington.
When he died, from a heart attack aged 68, in Twentynine Palms, California,[2] he left a lengthy catalogue of songs.