Harold Prince, the man who has won more Tony awards than anyone else, has died
Legendary Broadway producer and director, Harold Prince, who directed some of the most famous musicals ever made, including “West Side Story” and “The Phantom of the Opera” died on after a brief illness, in Reykjavik, Iceland, on Wednesday. He was 91.
Over his expansive career that ran nearly 70 years, Prince, best known as Hal, received 21 Tony Awards, “the most for any individual in multiple categories,” the Tony Awards said.
“He is missed and loved by his family — Judy, his wife of 56 years; his daughter, Daisy; his son, Charles; and his grandchildren, Phoebe, Lucy, and Felix,” his publicist released in a statement.
“As per his wishes, there will be no funeral but there will be a celebration of his life this fall with the people he loved most, the members of the theatrical community that he was a part of for seven decades.”
Prince was born on January 30, 1928 in New York City and majored in English at the University of Pennsylvania. He began his theatrical career in 1948 as an assistant to Broadway director and producer George Abbott.
Under Abbott’s mentorship, Prince was introduced to Robert Griffith, who would become his producing partner. By 1955, he won his first Tony with the production, “The Pajama Game,” he co-produced with Griffth. It was named best musical.
Prince went on to direct and produce some of the greatest musicals, such as “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Cabaret,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Evita.”
He amassed 21 Tonys including; eight for directing, eight for producing, two as producer of the year’s Best Musical, and three special Tony Awards.
In 2006, he was honored with the Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theater.
Prince touched the lives of many people, and tributes were posted on social media as news of his death spread.
“Beyond heartbroken to find out that HalPrince has passed away,” tweeted Tony Award nominee actress, Donna Murphy. “Working with Hal was one of the greatest honors of my artistic life-I’ll never forget his kindness, generosity & brilliance as an artist & as a human.”
“RIP to the legend Hal Prince. It’s because of his vision, his work, his creativity and his passion that I came to love theatre in the first place,” tweeted singer and actress, Jessica Vosk. “I have a feeling you might feel the same.”
“Beyond heartbroken to find out that HalPrince has passed away� Working with Hal was one of the greatest honors of my artistic life-I’ll never forget his kindness,generosity& brilliance as an artist & as a human.
