THE acting world is mourning the loss of Broadway legend Michael McGrath following his death on Thursday, September 14, 2023.
The American star sadly passed away from unexpected circumstances but will be fondly remembered for his starring roles in over 14 Broadway shows.
AlamyActor Michael McGrath suddenly passed away on Thursday, September 14[/caption]
AlamyMichael won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for his performance in Nice Work If You Can Get It in 2012[/caption]
Who was Michael McGrath?
Michael McGrath was an American actor who was best known for his work on the Broadway stage.
Born on September 25, 1957 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Michael graduated from St. Peter’s High School before attending the Boston Conservatory – leaving after three months to pursue his acting career.
Michael eventually moved to New York and gained his first Broadway credit in 1992 – spelling the start of his long and successful career.
Outside of theater, Michael was notably Martin Short’s announcer and sidekick on The Martin Short Show, while he had minor roles in the feature films Changing Lanes (2002) and The Interpreter (2005).
On September 14, 2023, the 65-year-old died suddenly at his home in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
What did Michael McGrath star in?
Michael is best known for his performance as Cookie McGee in the 2012 musical Nice Work If You Can Get It, for which he received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a musical.
His other notable Broadway work included his role of Patsy in Spamalot (2005), which earned him his first Tony Award nomination.
McGrath, who sang the iconic “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” in Spamalot, starred in the production for two-and-a-half years.
“It was an amazing time in my life to work with such people as Mike Nichols and Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, David Hyde Pierce,” he told Boston Irish in 2014 about working on Spamalot.
Michael also starred in Plaza Suite (2022), Tootsie (2018), Born Yesterday (2011), Memphis (2009) and Wonderful Town (2003).
GettyMichael is survived by his wife of 30 years. Toni DiBuono, and their daughter, Katie Claire McGrath (pictured)[/caption]
Was Michael McGrath married?
Michael has been survived by his wife of 30 years and fellow actress Toni DiBuono.
The pair met while co-starring in the Boston production of Forbidden Broadway – Gerard Alessandrini’s musical comedy which ran for three years from 1985 to 1989.
Toni earned a Drama Desk Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the show and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Most Striking Debut.
She also appeared in notable productions such as Funny Girl, The Boys From Syracuse, and Wonderful Town.
Michael and Toni have a daughter together, Katie Claire McGrath, who is also an actress.
