Dick Latessa Has Passed Away

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 9:12pm

I'm seeing from his friends on Facebook that he's just passed away. Such a talented man....

Updated On: 12/19/16 at 09:12 PM

[smidge]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 9:23pm

Very sad. Saw him in Hairspray and Promises Promises. Such a talent.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 9:31pm

I was literally just thinking how well he was doing. Damn this year

[saxpower]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 10:26pm

I saw him in Will Rodgers Follies. Met him at stage door- very gracious.  Occurs to me- quite an impression if I remember that after all this time. 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 11:24pm

 

What a wonderful, wonderful man.

 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 11:35pm

Harvey posted a video of the two of them doing "You're Timeless To Me" and I must admit I had a good cry. Something so pure and joyful about that number and the two of them specifically. A Tony well deserved. Very sad news...

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 11:36pm

Saw him in "Will Rogers Follies" and Rumors" on Broadway, he was a joy to watch.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/19/16 at 11:39pm

F#%k 2016.  

Such loss.   

RIP Mr. Latessa.  Thank you for the joy.  

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 1:22am

It's a shame that Playbill still doesn't have this news up on their site. 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 7:12am

I just saw his Tony Award speech. He looked like such a sweet, fun man. And 74 years old! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Avaw9LqVQmc

 

 

[djoko84]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 7:21am

This is such a sad loss. I saw him in Hairspray and he was so amazing. Glad he won a Tony. RIP

[sabrelady]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 7:40am

YOU are timeless to us Mr Latessa.

RIP

[markypoo]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 9:06am

I was fortunate enough to see him on B'way only once, but in a little something called Rags.

From that cast both Larry Kert and Marcia Lewis have been gone for years... and now Dick Latessa.  

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 9:14am

bwaylyric said: "It's a shame that Playbill still doesn't have this news up on their site. "

 

Playbill doesn't tend to do any actual reporting.

 

I adored his performance in The Lyons. Rest in peace, Dick.

Updated On: 12/20/16 at 09:14 AM

[temms]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 10:18am

So sorry to hear this.  "Damn Yankees" was one of my first Broadway shows and one of those people who's popped up every now again ever since and was always wonderful.  He got perhaps the single biggest laugh I've ever heard in the theatre at the Encores "Promises, Promises" with the line "It's for you."  Just a perfectly lobbed grenade of laughter.  He did the same role in the Broadway revival but it didn't land nearly the way it did at City Center - the fact that it was three mundane words that brought down the house (the other actors in the scene certainly helped) always stuck with me.

And I've heard nothing but the sweetest, nicest things about him as a person from my colleagues who've worked with him.  I never had the pleasure, but it sounds like he was the kind of person who made any production immeasurably better onstage and off by his presence.  I'm so glad he got to have such a signature role in such a huge hit as "Hairspray".

[bwaylyric]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 11:03am

neonlightsxo said: "bwaylyric said: "It's a shame that Playbill still doesn't have this news up on their site. "

 

Playbill doesn't tend to do any actual reporting.
"

Totally agree.  But if Honey Boo Boo attends Matilda, the headline goes up asap.  Sad.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 11:11am

Very sad.  Saw him in numerous stage productions incliding FOLLIES, HAIRSPRAY, PROMISES PROMISES, and THE LYONS.  Always added heart and, as appropriate, hilarity.  He will be missed. 

Updated On: 12/20/16 at 11:11 AM

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 11:13am

His performance in The Lyons is a true example of how a world-class actor can do a lot with a little. A brilliant actor, RIP.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 3:58pm

With all due respect, Mr. Latessa was 87 years old - not 74.  

[AC126748]

Posted: 12/20/16 at 4:00pm

^ He was 74 years old when he won his Tony. That is what the poster was referring to.