John McMartin has passed

[JBroadway]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 1:09am

A post on ATC alerted me to this, and a search on Twitter shows many people tweeting about it, including Shaun Cassidy, his co-star from "The Subject Was Roses." 

https://twitter.com/shaunpcassidy/status/750916983970029568

A very great loss, indeed. I had the pleasure of seeing him in Anything Goes and All The Way, as well as hearing him on multiple cast recordings. A wonderful actor, who will be sorely missed from the NY stage. 

[Huss417]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 1:16am

Sorry to hear this.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 1:27am

So sad. Rip to a talented, kind man. I was just listening to Follies the other day and remembered that he was the only of the 4 leads left.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luydh4zUry4

 

Updated On: 7/7/16 at 01:27 AM

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 1:39am

Like so many character actors, the name may not instantly ring a bell but you see the face and in his case, hear the voice and you immediately recall seeing him in a dozen different things, R.I.P. John.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 2:07am

RIP, so very sad to hear. He had a marvellous career.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 2:43am

One of the greatest. What a fabulous list of shows he was involved in. And what a true pro all his life. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 4:29am

What a legend. So sorry to hear this.

[imeldasturn]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 4:42am

Such a fantastic actor, he will be missed.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 4:56am

This is extremely sad and shocking news. He was constantly working and always elevated both the material and other actors in whatever play he was in. "The Road You Didn't Take" is one of the greatest and his version is still the one to beat. 

[After Eight]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 5:51am

So sorry to hear this. He was great in everything he appeared in. He was so wonderful in the elevator scene in Sweet Charity.

[AC126748]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 6:51am

He was a bright light on the stage for so many years, almost right up until the end. Here is a link to his paid death notice, which appeared in the Times today:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=john-mcmartin&pid=180582318&

I imagine a formal obituary will follow.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 6:54am

What a wonderful contribution he made.  A great man.

[artscallion]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 6:55am

Saw him in Into The Woods and Grey Gardens. And enjoyed him over the years on many cast recordings and videos. A great loss.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 7:00am

Aw dammit. I saw him in Anything Goes with SF and LO, and he was great.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 7:02am

I had the pleasure of interviewing John for BWW several years ago and he mailed me a Christmas card every year since. A true gentleman.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 7:05am

Very sad to hear this. I saw him on Broadway in "Show Boat" and "Grey Gardens." He was always memorable, and so talented. RIP

[mamaleh]

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

He was my very first Broadway crush, back in my adolescence.  What an amazingly versatile actor and lovely human being, one of the stalwarts of Broadway.  About 20 years ago I wrote him a letter wishing him well on his new project and detailing how I'd followed his career since SWEET CHARITY, and he invited me and my husband to meet him backstage after a performance. I sent him a birthday card every year and made sure to catch each of his NYC stage appearances.  My sympathies to his family. What a loss to the theater--even if it never rewarded him with the Tony he so richly deserved. .

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 7:24am

^ Agree 100%. It would be lovely to see him honored with a Lifetime Achievement Tony. 

[sabrelady]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 7:27am

Saw him list in "Is He Dead?" Totally elevated the material. A life well lived.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 7:44am

I'm shocked and saddened by the news. What a loss. Rest in peace. 

[castlestreet]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 8:31am

RIP...a true Broadway legend and a real gentleman... 

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 8:31am

I forgot he was in the Showboat revival which I had seen numerous times.

[wonkit]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 8:35am

What a talented actor! He will be missed. My condolences to his family and many friends and followers. 

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 8:36am

 

I saw this five times. Without bombast or exaggeration, I can honestly say it changed my life.

 

 

[YouDon'tClimbTrees?]

Posted: 7/7/16 at 8:48am

Very sad. I saw him in Grey Gardens and Is He Dead? but I also used to see him walking through Shubert Alley.