Robert LuPone passed away on Saturday, August 27 at the age of 76 from pancreatic cancer. He was widely known for his leadership of the off-Broadway theater company MCC (Manhattan Class Company).
The Associated Press was the first to report his passing upon confirmation by the theater. Robert Francis LuPone passed away following a three-year fight with pancreatic cancer, per official notification from MCC Theater.
The deceased actor and creative director are survived by the renowned Broadway actress Patti LuPone, his wife Virginia, son Orlando, and twin brother William.
After his passing, MCC Theater’s Bennie Will issued a statement. It read:
“Bob was a force, an advocate, complicated in the finest ways, full of youthful fervor, and profoundly perceptive as he peered into our hearts.” He was our closest associate. It is tough to accept that we will never again sit down with him and say, “Let’s talk.”
Everything about Robert Lutone, the founder of the MCC Theater
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Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, and William Cantler established the MCC (Manhattan Class Company) Theater in 1986. Nonetheless, LuPone has been an actor since 1970.
After graduating from the renowned Juilliard School as a dancer and actor, LuPone studied theater under the famous German-American stage actress Uta Hagen.
According to the Internet Broadway Database, the native New Yorker made his acting debut in Noel Coward’s Sweet Potato in 1968.
In 1974, he was also involved in the production of The Magic Show by Stephen Schwartz. His portrayal as Zack in the 1975 musical A Chorus Line, however, earned him a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
Later in his career, he delved into television acting with roles in All My Children (1984) and Love (1990s).
Bob LuPone was featured on Law & Order during the 1990s and early 2000s. In four episodes, he played numerous one-off characters.
He portrayed Dr. Bruce Cusamano in The Sopranos. In 2019, LuPone’s final television appearance in a five-decade career was on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
As Co-Artistic Director of the MCC Theater, LuPone produced Frozen in 2004 and Reasons to Be Beautiful in 2008, both of which received Tony Award nominations for “Best Play.” 1985 saw LuPone nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his supporting role on All My Children.
LuPone has over 47 film and television acting credits to his name. At this time, he was involved in 17 Broadway productions, six of which he produced and the rest of which he acted in.
In addition, Robert LuPone is the cousin of Tom Fontana, an Emmy-winning writer, and producer. He is the brother-in-law of former camera operator Matt Johnston, who is married to Bob’s sister Patti LuPone.
Robert LuPone, mourned by a flood of condolences
Some tweets acknowledged LuPone with co-founding the MCC Theater, while others recalled the late Broadway star’s performances.
Some individuals remembered him from The Sopranos. Similarly, a few others highlighted the deceased theater director and artist’s generosity and compassion.
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