Robert LuPone died of pancreatic cancer on Saturday, August 27, at the age of 76. He was known for his leadership of the off-Broadway theater troupe MCC (Manhattan Class Company). The Associated Press first reported his death when the theater confirmed it. According to an official statement from the MCC Theater, Robert Francis LuPone died after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Patti LuPone, acclaimed Broadway actress, his wife Virginia, son Orlando and twin brother William outlived the late actor and creative director.
Bennie Will of the MCC Theater issued a statement following his death. It is said:
“Bob was a force, an advocate, complicated in the finest way, full of youthful ardour, yet deeply insightful as he looked into our hearts.” He was our closest companion. It’s hard to realize that we’re never going to sit down with him and say, ‘Let’s talk’ again.”
All about MCC Theater founder Robert LuPone
MCC Theater (Manhattan Class Company) was founded in 1986 by Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey and William Cantler. However, LuPone has been working as an actor since 1970. LuPone studied theater with the famous German-American theater actress Uta Hagen after graduating from the world-renowned Juilliard School as a dancer and actor. According to the Internet Broadway Database, the New York City native made his stage debut as a performer in Noel Coward’s Sweet Potato in 1968.
In 1974, he was involved in the production of Stephen Schwartz’s musical The Magic Show. However, his portrayal of Zack in the 1975 musical A Chorus Line earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. Later in his career, he tried his hand at TV acting with productions such as All My Children in 1984, Loving in the mid-1990s and others.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, Bob LuPone was featured on Law & Order. In four episodes, he played many one-off roles. He also played Dr. Bruce Cusaman in The Sopranos. LuPone’s final television appearance in her five-decade career was on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2019.
Meanwhile, as Co-Artistic Director of MCC Theatre, LuPone produced plays such as Frozen in 2004 and Reasons to Be Pretty in 2008, both of which received Tony Award nominations for “Best Play.” LuPone was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her supporting role on All My Children in 1985. LuPone has over 47 acting roles in films and television shows. In the meantime, he participated in 17 Broadway ventures, six of which he produced, and in the others he was a member of the cast. In addition, Robert LuPone is the cousin of Emmy Award-winning writer and producer Tom Fontana. He is the brother-in-law of Bob’s sister Patti LuPone’s husband, former cameraman Matt Johnston.
Condolences are pouring in on the death of Robert LuPone.
Several tweets credited LuPone with co-founding the MCC Theater, while others shared memories of the late Broadway personality and the cast’s performances. Some people remembered him from The Sopranos. Similarly, a few others mentioned the warmth and charity of the late theater artist and director.
SpotCo mourns the passing of MCC founder, co-artistic director, client and friend, Bob LuPone. Sending love and thoughts to Bernie, Will, Blake and the entire MCC family. pic.twitter.com/QpUed0PXvP
— SpotCo (@SpotNYC) August 28, 2022
Damn, another Sopranos cast member gone, RIP Robert LuPone. pic.twitter.com/mVmNhnwrDe
— 𝕮𝖊𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖑𝖊𝖑𝖑𝖆 (@Crystal_Philoso) August 27, 2022
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education