Michael McGrath (September 25, 1957 – September 14, 2023) was an American actor. Best known for his work on the Broadway stage, he received a Tony Award in 2012 for his performance in the musical Nice Work If You Can Get It.
Career McGrath was an ensemble member and understudy for many shows, including My Favorite Year, Swinging on a Star, and Little Me. He appeared in the musicals Anything Goes (2002) as Moonface Martin and in Wonderful Town (2003) as Chick Clark."McGrath Broadway" Playbill, retrieved October 4, 2017 McGrath played the role of Patsy in the Broadway musical Spamalot (2005), for which he received a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
McGrath starred in the play Is He Dead? on Broadway in December 2007 to February 2008 as Agamemnon Buckner.Jones, Kenneth. "Broadway's 'Is He Dead?' to Close March 9" Playbill, February 26, 2008 McGrath originated the role of Mr. Simmons in Memphis (Broadway, 2009).
McGrath played the role of Cookie McGee in the Broadway musical Nice Work If You Can Get It (2012), for which he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He also won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for this performance.Jones, Kenneth and Adam Hetrick. 2012 "Tony Awards Nominations Announced; Once Earns 11 Nominations" . Playbill.com, May 1, 2012
In 2014, he was in the A.R.T. pre-Broadway production of Finding Neverland replacing Roger Bart in the dual role of Charles Frohman and Captain James Hook.Tony Winner Swap: Michael McGrath To Replace Roger Bart in A.R.T.'s Finding Neverland Opening July 23
McGrath appeared in a new musical The Honeymooners, based on the television comedy The Honeymooners. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey on September 28, 2017, and starred McGrath as Ralph Kramden, Michael Mastro as Ed Norton, Leslie Kritzer as Alice Kramden, and Laura Bell Bundy as Trixie Norton.McPhee, Ryan. "Watch Footage of Leslie Kritzer, Laura Bell Bundy, and More in 'The Honeymooners' " Playbill, October 3, 2017 McGrath appeared in a workshop of the musical in 2014.Gioia, Michael. "Michael McGrath, Hank Azaria, Leslie Kritzer and Megan Hilty Will Be "The Honeymooners" in Industry Reading" Playbill, September 22, 2014
On television, McGrath was the announcer/sidekick on The Martin Short Show.
While working in the Boston production of Forbidden Broadway, McGrath met his future wife, Toni DiBuono.
Personal life and death McGrath hailed from Worcester, Massachusetts. He was married to actress Toni DiBuono.
Michael McGrath died at his home in Bloomfield, New Jersey, on September 14, 2023, at the age of 65, 11 days shy of his 66th birthday.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1996 Boyfriends James 2002 Changing Lanes Seavers 2003 Cowboys & Angels Mud Club Student 2005 The Interpreter Jonathan Ferris 2006 Ira & Abby Tony the Doorman 2011 Escape of the Gingerbread Man Stan Voice; short film
Television Year Title Role Notes1990 Mathnet Barney Oldmeal Episode: "The Case of the Meter Massacre"1999–2000 The Martin Short Show Himself (announcer) Unknown episodes1997 Remember WENN Blair Foley Episode: "Like a Brother" 2001 Between the Lions Lester the Jester Episode: "Quest, Quest, Quest!"2002 Monday Night Mayhem Jim McKay Television movie 2018 Madam Secretary Earl Episode: "Sound and Fury"
Theatre Year Title Role Venue 1992 My Favorite Year Ensemble Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Broadway1993 The Goodbye Girl Elliot (standby) Marquis Theatre, Broadway1995 Swinging on a Star Various roles Music Box Theatre, Broadway1998 Little Me Bruce / Bernie / Bert Criterion Center Stage, Broadway2003 Wonderful Town Chick Clark Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Broadway2005 Spamalot Patsy / Mayor / Guard 2 Shubert Theatre, Broadway2007 Is He Dead? Agamemnon Buckner Lyceum Theatre, Broadway2009 Memphis Mr. Simmons Shubert Theatre, Broadway2011 Born Yesterday Eddie Brock Cort Theatre, Broadway2012 Nice Work If You Can Get It Cookie McGee Imperial Theatre, Broadway2015 On the Twentieth Century Owen O'Malley American Airlines Theatre, Broadway 2016 She Loves Me Ladislav Sipos Studio 54, Broadway The Front Page Walter Burns (standby) Broadhurst Theatre, Broadway2019 Tootsie Stan Fields Marquis Theatre, Broadway2022 Plaza Suite Sam / Jesse / Roy (standby) Hudson Theatre, Broadway2023 Little Shop of Horrors Mr. Mushnik The Muny
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 1996Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalSwinging on a StarTheatre World Award 2005 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical SpamalotDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 2012 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical Nice Work if You Can Get ItDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
References
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