Tony Award-winning Broadway star Michael McGrath has died suddenly aged 65.
The Broadway veteran passed away at his home in Bloomfield, New Jersey on Thursday.
While the cause of death is yet to be confirmed, his publicist told Variety that it was ‘sudden’.
With more than 15 credits to his name, the actor was best known for his role as Patsy in the musical Spamalot, which was based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975).
In 2012 he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a musical for his work in the musical ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It,’ playing the role of Cookie McGee.
Tony Award-winning Broadway star Michael McGrath has died suddenly aged 65
Speaking to the Boston Irish about the production in 2014, he said it was ‘amazing’ to star alongside Mike Nichols and Tim Curry.
As well as being nominated for another Tony Award, he was also a three-time Drama Desk Award nominee, Theatre World Award nominee and an Outer Critics Circle nominee.
His first Tony Award nomination was in 2005 for the Best Featured Actor in a Musical Category for his role on Spamalot – he was the first actor to play the role of Patsy, King Arthur’s sidekick.
Other notable works in his career include the role of Mr. Simmons in the 2009 Broadway show ‘Memphis’ and the role of Stan Fields in 2018’s ‘Tootsie’.
He also appeared as Ralph Kramden in the stage adaption of the sitcom ‘The Honeymooners’ in 2017.
Tributes have been coming in on social media since the news of his death emerged.
Monty Python’s Eric Idle paid tribute to the actor on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing ‘Very saddened to hear that Michael McGrath our first and most beloved Patsy in Spamalot, has passed away.
‘Warm hugs to all the Spamalot family and very happy memories of a lovely man.’
Pictured: Michael McGrath and the rest of the original cast of Spamalot (Left to right: Sara Ramirez, Christopher Sieber, Tim Curry, Eric Idle, Michael McGrath and Hank Azaria)
Monty Python’s Eric Idle paid tribute to the actor on X, formerly known as Twitter
With more than 15 credits to his name, the actor was best known for his role as Patsy in the musical Spamalot, which was based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Condolences from the actor’s fans are also pouring in, with one writing ‘Going to see spamalot on Broadway in November.
‘A new run where they sold out at Kennedy Center. Genius ingenuity is definitely his legacy and immortality.’
Another added ‘Just beyond sad. Such an immensely talented and dear man. May his memory be for a blessing’.
McGrath also had roles on the small screen, including being Martin Short’s sidekick announcer on the Martin Short Show.
He appeared in films such as Changing Lines and The Interpreter, and also has voice credits for animated movies including Wolfwalkers and The Secret Kells.
The Broadway legend’s career began in Worcester, Massachusetts where he grew up.
McGrath attended the Boston Conservatory to pursue performing arts, however he left three months in to begin his acting career.
In 2012 he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a musical for his work in the musical ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It,’ playing the role of Cookie McGee
Pictured: The cast of ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ at the Tony Awards in 2012 (Left to right: Kathleen Marshall, Michael McGrath, Kelli O’Hara, Judy Kaye and Joe DiPietro)
After moving to Boston, he appeared in the musical comedy ‘Forbidden Broadway’ from 1985 to 1989, which garnered attention.
It was also where he met his wife of thirty years, actress Toni Di Buono, who survives him alongside his daughter, Katie Claire McGrath.
His first Broadway credit was for ‘My Favorite Year’ in 1992, a musical by Joseph Dougherty, based on the 1982 film of the same name.
After this he appeared in a host of other shows, including ‘Little Me’ and ‘The Goodbye Girl,’ before getting his first major role on Broadway in ‘Wonderful Town’ from 2003 to 2005.
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