On August 22, 半岛体育 reported that Tony-winning book writer Thomas Meehan had passed away at age 88. The author of such shows as Annie, I Remember Mama, Ain鈥檛 Broadway Grand, The Producers, Hairspray, Bombay Dreams, Young Frankenstein, Cry-Baby, Elf, Chaplin, and Rocky won Tony Awards for the books of three of his works: Annie (1977), The Producers (2001), and Hairspray (2003).
Collaborators of his, such as Mel Brooks鈥攚ith whom he worked on The Producers and Young Frankenstein鈥攁s well as actors from his productions鈥擧unter Foster (The Producers), Kerry Butler (Hairspray), and Rob McClure (Chaplin), among others鈥攖ook to Twitter to remember Meehan鈥檚 contributions.
Though he made his Broadway debut later in life, at the age of 47 with the classic Annie, Meehan proved that it鈥檚 never too late to pursue greatness.
Meehan is the only creative to have written the books for three shows that ran more than 2,000 performances on Broadway: the aforementioned Annie (2,377 performances), in 2001 alongside (2,502 performances), and in 2002, which he wrote with the late Mark O鈥橠onnell (2,642 performances).
Stunned by the news that my friend/co-writer Tom Meehan has died. I鈥檒l miss his sweetness & talent. We have all lost a giant of the theatre.
鈥� Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks)
The cake was good but the were better. Thank you Tom Meehan for all the joy!
鈥� Jerry Mitchell (@jammyprod)
RIP to Thomas Meehan, one of the best around.
鈥� Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel)
Master librettist Thomas Meehan (left) won Tonys for writing Hairspray, The Producers, and Annie. He will be missed. Rest in peace.
鈥� The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards)
Writer Tom Meehan died today. He led a wonderful life and left so much mirth behind for us to enjoy. Bravo, Maestro.
鈥� Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein)
"Life is not a movie. You can't go back and edit it. It's Perfect. Just as it is. It has a beginning, a middle, and an end."
鈥� Rob McClure (@RobMcClure)
RIP Tom Meehan
Think of five Broadway hits written in the last thirty years. At least one was probably written by Tom Meehan. The sweetest man锟斤拷
鈥� Kerry Butler (@KerryButlerNyc)
RIP Tom Meehan. So generous and kind during my time in The Producers.
鈥� Hunter Foster (@Hunter_Foster)
Tom Meehan told me that he hoped the audience would focus on the word dream in Bombay Dreams and not the word bomb
鈥� Jackie Hoffman (@JackieHoffman16)
wrote ANNIE, thus introducing me to show biz. We met early in my career and he supported me every step of the way. RIP, Tom. 锟斤拷锟斤拷锟斤拷
鈥� Josh Grisetti (@JoshGrisetti)
was thoughtful, kind and hilarious. His writing shaped my sense of humor and it was an honor to work with him . Dangit.
鈥� James Snyder (@thejamessnyder)
RIP Tom Meehan. and so much more.鉂わ笍锟斤拷
鈥� Wallace Smith (@WallaceSmith007)
So sad to hear of the passing of Thomas Meehan... 锟斤拷 only writer to have 3 shows run over 2,000 performances. What a legacy.
鈥� Michael Feinstein (@MichaelFeinstei)
Sad to hear that the incredible has left us - he made a wonderful rich contribution to the arts world 鉂わ笍
鈥� COLLABRO (@Collabro)
Rest in paradise, Thomas Meehan. Musical theater legend!!
鈥� Perez (@ThePerezHilton)
Take a look back as Chaplin met the press in 2012:
