Russell Harold Nype (April 26, 1920 – May 27, 2018) was an American actor and singer.
Early years Born in Zion, Illinois, Nype majored in speech and English at Lake Forest College, earning a bachelor's degree. During World War II, he served in the United States Army. Early in his New York career, press stories frequently mentioned his Illinois roots and religiously strict upbringing: "I come from the severest aspects of the Midwestern Bible belt. My family hasn't actually written me off because I'm in show business, but they'd be much happier if I concentrated my performances on singing hymns in church. My answer is that I couldn't support my wife and children."Stern, Harold. "Russell Nype Unusual Show Type", Yonkers (NY) Herald-Statesmen, February 10, 1959.
Career After teaching ballroom dance and singing in nightclubs, Nype made his Broadway debut in Marc Blitzstein's opera Regina in 1949. The following year he won critical acclaim and both the Tony and Theatre World Awards for his performance opposite Ethel Merman in Call Me Madam. One Broadway columnist provided a measure of how quickly he rose from obscurity in the show: "A week ago, Russell Nype was such an unknown that Celebrity Service, which keeps files on performers, didn't even list his name. The day after he opened in Call Me Madam Celeb Service received 60 phone calls from agents, writers, and producers asking for background material on him, and his phone number. He gets featured billing in the show next week."Kilgallen, Dorothy. "Voice of Broadway", Olean (NY) Times Herald, October 23, 1950. Merman and Nype were reunited in 1970 when, late in the run of the original production of Hello, Dolly!, Merman joined the show in the title role and Nype was cast as Cornelius Hackl. Nype later appeared in revivals of Carousel, Brigadoon, and Morning's at Seven, and opposite Elaine Stritch in the short-lived musical Goldilocks, for which he won his second Tony. A Bucks County (PA) Playhouse engagement in 1960 was a revival of the 1935 play Petticoat Fever, with added new songs."Novelties on Straw Hat Circuit", Philadelphia Inquirer, June 19, 1960.
Nype caught Hollywood's attention early and was offered a role in MGM's Young Man in a Hurry. MGM released him after eight days of filming, and the movie eventually debuted with Glenn Ford as Young Man with Ideas in 1952. As Nype explained, "I realized from the outset that I was too young for the role. It was originally written for Jimmy Stewart and the character was supposed to be married 10 years and have three children--eight, five, and one years old....When the studio bosses saw the first eight days' rushes, they agreed with me that I was too young for the part."Thomas, Bob. "Russell Nype Bows out of Debut Movie", Cortland (NY) Standard, September 15, 1951.
Nype's feature film credits include Love Story (1970), Can't Stop the Music (1980) and The Stuff (1985). On television he appeared in Studio One, Fantasy Island, One Day at a Time, The Cosby Show, Murder, She Wrote, Who's the Boss?, and productions of One Touch of Venus, Kiss Me, Kate and Morning's at Seven.
Personal life Nype married Diantha Fitch Lawrence on March 7, 1953; the couple had one child, a son. Diantha Lawrence Nype died in 2015."Noted Singer to Wed", Utica (NY) Daily Press, February 18, 1953.
Death Nype died in West Palm Beach, Florida, on May 27, 2018, at the age of 98, survived by his son, two grandchildren, and two stepchildren.
Filmography + Film Year Title Role Notes 1970 Love Story Dean Thompson 1980 Can't Stop the Music Richard Montgomery 1983 Balboa Senator Highsmith 1985 The Stuff Richards
Stage Year Title Role(s) Venue Ref. 1949 ReginaLeo Hubbard46th Street Theatre, Broadway 1950 Great to Be Alive!Freddie, singerWinter Garden Theatre, Broadway 1950 Call Me MadamKenneth GibsonImperial Theatre, Broadway 1952National Theatre, Washington, D.C. 1952 One Touch of VenusRodney HatchPitt Stadium, Pittsburgh 1956 Wake Up, DarlingDeerfield PrescottEthel Barrymore Theatre, Broadway 1957 CarouselEnoch SnowNew York City Center 1958 GoldilocksGeorge Randolph BrownLunt-Fontanne Theatre, Broadway 1963 BrigadoonJeff DouglasNew York City Center 1963 Once for the AskingAlex CrumbullBooth Theatre, Broadway 1965 The Owl and the PussycatF. ShermanNorth American tour 1967 The Girl in the Freudian SlipDr. Alec RiceBooth Theatre, Broadway 1968 Private LivesElyot ChaseTheatre de Lys, Off-Broadway 1970 Hello, Dolly!Cornelius HacklSt. James Theater, Broadway 1971 Light Up the SkyTyler RayburnMeridian Hall, TorontoFisher Theatre, Detroit 1972 Lady Audley's SecretRobert AudleyEastside Playhouse, Off-Broadway 1980 Morning's at SevenDavid Crampton (replacement)Lyceum Theatre, Broadway 1981 Light Up the SkyTyler RayburnJohn Drew Theater-Guild Hall, Long Island 1983 TallulahWill BankheadWestside Arts Center, Off-Broadway 1985 Taking My TurnJohnUS national tour 1986 Painting ChurchesGardner ChurchLong Island Stage
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Results Ref. 1951 Theatre World Awards Call Me Madam 1951 Tony Awards Best Supporting or Featured Actress in a Musical 1959 Goldilocks
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