Broadway and indeed the entire theatre and film industry lost a veteran actor on Thursday, September 14, 2023, in the person of Michael McGrath. The Tony-award-winning American actor suddenly died on said day at the age of 65.
McGrath’s publicist gave the news of the passing and also said that the cause of death isn’t known yet.
However, all who knew him as family and friends and even fans have been thrown into mourning. Condolence messages are pouring in for the McGrath family and his career families as well.
Michael McGrath will always be remembered for his roles in Nice Work if You Can Get It which won him a Tony Award. Additionally, he played roles in Broadway shows such as Plaza Suite, Tootsie, and Spamalot where he played the first role of Patsy.
Michael McGrath’s Cause of Death is Bleak
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.
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) September 15, 2023
Patsy of Spamalot whose real name of Michael McGrath died on Thursday, September 14, 2023. He died in his home located in Bloomfield, New Jersey. His publicist made the confirmation of this news to The Hollywood Reporter.
According to Michael’s publicist, the actor died suddenly while at his home on said day. The cause of death is yet to be revealed. However, if and when there is a new finding, it could be made known to the world.
Michael McGrath, upon his death, is survived by his wife of 30 years, Toni DiBuono, and their daughter Kathleen Claire McGrath. Both of whom are actresses. He met his wife on the set of the 1980s Broadway show Forbidden Broadway.
With the news of his death, many condolence messages have been sent to his family including the ones he made on Broadway. Fellow co-star of Michael, Eric Idle took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to post his feelings and messages.
McGrath’s publicist also had very nice things to say about him, including the fact that he was a devoted friend, father, and husband.
He was on the Verge of Turning 66 Years
September 25, 2023, would have been Michael McGrath’s 66th birthday. Unfortunately, he died 11 days before his next birthday.
He was born on September 25, 1956 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He had his high school education in Worcester and when he graduated from there, he enrolled in Boston Conservatory.
However, at the time, Michael knew he wanted more than what he was getting at Boston Conservatory. As a result, he dropped out after 3 months there and went on to pursue his passion in acting. Soon, he started a career as a theatre actor.
He first started off in Worcester before he moved to Boston. He made his Broadway debut in the musical comedy Forbidden Broadway by Gerard Alessandrini. The show ran from 1985 to 1989. According to the actor whose career spanned more than 30 years, this aforementioned musical was the most difficult show he had done.
He later moved to New York where his first Broadway credit dates back to 1992 in My Favorite Year. However, his major role on Broadway was as Chick Clark in Wonderful Town. He played this role from 2003 to 2005.
The veteran stage actor, Michael McGrath, died at the age of 65.
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Michael McGrath Has Been Part of About 14 Broadway Show
Since the 1980s, Michael has been involved in quite a lot of stage and Broadway shows. Just his Broadway shows are about 14 including Tootsie, Spamalot, Plaza Suite, and Nice Work if You Can Get It.
For his remarkable representations of characters in his plays, Michael had 2 Tony Award nominations, 3 Drama Desk Award nominations, an Outer Critics Circle, and a Theatre World Award Winner.
He won his one and only Tony Award in 2012 for his role as Cookies McGee in the musical Nice Work If You Can Get It.
His other Tony nomination was for his role as Patsy which he originated, in Spamalot, a Broadway version of Monty Python and The Holy Grail. One of Michael’s Drama Desk nominations is also for his role in this musical.
Aside from originating Patsy, McGrath is also the originator of the character Mr. Simmons in Broadway’s 2009 production, Memphis.
Adding to his stage and Broadway features, the American actor also had TV roles. He played the side-kick announcer for Martin Short on his show titled ‘The Martin Short Show’.
Also, his TV roles included films such as The Interpreter, and Changing Lanes as well as voice acting for many animated characters in animated movies such as Wolfwalkers and The Secret of Kells.
