I'd love to share a recap of my interview with dear Bob. Her parents, Orlando Joseph LuPone, a school administrator, and mother Angela Louise (Patti), a librarian, eventually divorced. LuPone spent much of his later career focused on theater development and education, opening the MCC Theater alongside Bernard Telsey and William Cantler. Luckily for Bob, Barry soon left the Chorus Lineworkshop, which gave Bob the opportunity to share with Michael that he felt he could play Zach well. He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. See it and believe it. Help us build our profile of Robert LuPone! His brother left show business later and became a librarian. Copyright 1991-2023 Playbill Inc. All Rights Reserved. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. The first iswith Jessica Vosk this weekend, and the second is withBeth Malone in the last weekend of September. But I'm not a diva. lists, The new musical from A Strange Loop Pulitzer winner Michael R. Jackson is now in rehearsals for its Off-Broadway premiere. She was nominated for a 2016 Joseph Jefferson (Equity) Award for Actress in a Principal Role in a Musical for "War Paint" at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. His Broadway debut was the same year, in a production of Noel. [5] He also studied theatre at HB Studio under Uta Hagen. Patti is the daughter of Angela Louise (Patti) and Orlando Joseph LuPone. Sadly, he sustained an injury that prevented him from pursuing a serious dance career, though he was able to dance well enough for Broadway. This groundbreaking program was the first of its kind to center its theme around a mentally handicapped character. [7] He was the director of the MFA Drama Program at The New School for Drama (New York City) until the spring of 2011. Needless to say, a nerve-wracking moment for all in the theatre. On film she was well represented by Witness (1985) and in Driving Miss Daisy (1989) as Dan Aykroyd's materialistic wife and minor nemesis to Jessica Tandy.The concert stage has been a commanding venue for Patti over the years with a number of successful one-woman singing showcases such as "The Lady with the Torch," "Matters of the Heart" and "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda," winning an Outer Critics Circle Award for her "Patti LuPone on Broadway" in 1995. It is with heavy hearts that we announce that MCC founding Co-Artistic Director, Bob LuPone, passed away Saturday, Aug 27 after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer, the post read, alongside photos of Robert at various stages in his career. Our website is made possible bydisplaying online advertisements to our visitors. Also Check: Celebrity Bios. | Robert LuPone died at age 76 after a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Born as Robert Francis Lupone, the actor was born on July 29, 1946 in New York City, United States Of America and grew up to establish a name for himself as one of the biggest actors out there. Patti can also be heard on other recordings such as Philadelphia Chickens, Grateful, Hey! Aside from his younger sister, Patti, well known for her work in film, television, and theater, Roberts great-great aunt was 19th-century Spanish-born Italian opera singerAdelina Patti. Daytime Emmy-nominated and Tony-nominated actor Robert LuPone passed away on August 27, 2022, at the age of 76. Ms. LuPone volunteered at the Craft and Folk Art Museum (CAFAM) in Los Angeles (1999-2000), Is the first American actress to win an Olivier award in England for her performances in "Les Misrables" and "The Cradle Will Rock" in 1985. Robert LuPone girlfriend, wife list. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Ghbase.com is a popular news website that publishes content on several personalities around the world. Robert was the brother of theatre icon Patti LuPone, and. You'll remember Al asthe one who is married to Kristine and sings the song Sing.Barry Bostwick originally played Zach, and had come fromGrease as the original Danny. LuPone had pancreatic cancer over the past three years, per an Instagram. He was actually first cast by Michael Bennett as Al. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. She was also nominated as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical) for "The Robber Bridegroom" in 1976 (a year that also saw her brother. I said he seemed like amazing boyfriend material. [8] He appeared on Law & Order: Criminal Intent for two episodes as Nelson Broome (20032009),[9] and on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for one episode in 2004. I confronted Michael and asked why he didnt help her. He was 76. Terrifyingly, Bob was center stage. Robert LuPone was married to Kathryn Duke before his death. She was a member of the very first class of the drama division at Juilliard. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Virginia Rae Robinson and Robert LuPone were Kathryn M Duke and Robert LuPone are divorced See A round of guest shots over the years have included "Law & Order," "Frazier," "Touched by an Angel," "Will & Grace" (hilariously spoofing her diva image), and a recurring spot on the critically-acclaimed Oz (1997). Robert and Patti first performed together at ages seven and four. Playbill Staff Email:info@ghbase.com At all. The bottom line is that I love the theater. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, his son Orlando, sister Patti, and brother William. | Andrew Gans Last August, he revealed during an appearance on the Talking Sopranos podcast that he based the Cusamano character on a doctor he previously played in a theater production and simply aged him. LuPone was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised in Northport, New York on Long Island, the son of Angela Louise, a library administrator at the C.W.For his performance as Zach in A Chorus Line, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Powerhouse leads in "Sunset Boulevard" (1993) and "Master Class" (1996) have ensured her diva-like place as one of America's contemporary singing immortals. Received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her role of Mama Rose in the Broadway revival of "Gypsy" in 2008. After lunchtime is when it gets to be a particular kind of nightmare. Robert "Bob" LuPone, the Tony and Emmy nominated actor arguably best known for his role in hit TV show "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 76. Shes always telling her dresser that they can make it a bit tighter. Michael Imperiolis Wife Victoria: Everything To Know About Sopranos & White Lotus Stars Marriage, Robert studied at the Julliard School with dance legend Martha Grahamand Jose Limon, per his Wikipedia. Apparently, he had been battling cancer for a very long period. No joke, after my interview, I emailed him and told him I wanted to set him up with an actress I knew who was recently single. Watch and rest in peace, Bob LuPone! Gaining invaluable acting experience, she stayed with the company until 1975. [November 2004], Playing Mama Rose in the 2008 Broadway revival of "Gypsy". Other Works He later realized, and this wasmuch later, that the role of Zach was based on Michael himself. "MCC founding Co-Artistic Director Bob LuPone passed away Saturday . Here's what else to know about the actor dead at age 76. He was the brother of actress Patti LuPone. There's so many obstacles that prevent theater from being the tool it should be in society, which is an education. 9:19 AM EDT, Tue August 30, 2022. Two years later, he made his Broadway debut in Noel Cowards Sweet Potato. He went on to become a small screen favorite with roles on TV shows including Ally McBeal, Law & Order, and Sex and the City., But his most notable television role came in 1999 when he was cast as Dr. Bruce Cusamano, the neighbor and family doctor of mobster Tony Soprano (played James Gandolfini) on the HBO hit The Sopranos.. Her electrifying performance earned her both the Tony and Drama Desk awards, and the resulting stardom officially launched her film and TV career.Minor roles in King of the Gypsies (1978) and 1941 (1979) led to a co-starring role with Tom Skerritt in the vigilante crimer Fighting Back (1982). Interestingly, he was not the original Zach in the Chorus Line workshop. Mr. LuPone . He worked on stage, in film, and in television. He featured in three more shows in that same capacity before successfully auditioning for A Chorus Line (1976), having convinced Michael Bennett to let him play the role of the director, Zach. He kindly informed that hed been happily married for decades. March 1, 2023. Robert LuPone was born on July 29, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. 2 How much . Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Robert LuPone was previously married to Virginia Rae Robinson (1998 - 2022) and Kathryn M Duke (1978). Audra also mentioned that in late 1800s New York, people did not tend to socialize outside their immediate family and neighbors. He also appeared on All My Children in the 1980s and Guiding Light in the 1990s. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much At the time of his passing, Robert LuPone was a highly successful American actor with anet worth of about $12 million. March 1, 2023, By If you dont know, all of A Chorus Line is supposed to be an audition and everyone onstage is supposed to be in that nervous I really need this job state throughout. Other classmates included, Performed as a teenager with her twin brothers William and. There's still very intelligent audiences that support the theater, but the ticket price is outrageous. [3] His later performances included A Thousand Clowns (2001), True West (2000), A View from the Bridge (1997), Late Nite Comic (1987), Saint Joan (1977), and The Magic Show (1974). [3][11], LuPone died on August 27, 2022, at a hospice facility in Albany, New York. MCC Theater, which LuPone co-founded, confirmed his death from pancreatic cancer via Instagram . Login He is most remembered for his recurring role as Dr . My brother Bobby was a dancer unparalleled, Patti told Page Six on Monday, August 29. James Gandolfini and Robert LuPone in "The Sopranos," 1999. There's not much information about his nuclear family online. The show ran a durable four seasons and its title song, "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La Da" by Lennon/McCartney, featured Patti's vocals. I knew before I knew anything else that my career was in Europe. 2. Email:info@ghbase.com He was 76. Bob LuPone Dies: Off-Broadway MCC Theatre Founder Was 76 By Armando Tinoco August 27, 2022 3:56pm Jason Kempin/WireImage/Getty Images Bob LuPone, a Tony-nominated actor and the founder of the. However,filming outdoors in the summer heat while wearing a corset is decidedly not fun. Won Broadway's 1980 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for playing the title character, 'Eva Peron', in "Evita". Making her NY theater debut in "The School for Scandal" (1972), she went on to play major roles in "The Hostage," "The Lower Depths," "The Three Sisters" (her Broadway debut), "Measure for Measure," "Scapin," "Edward II," and "The Time of Your Life," among others. Throughout his life on earth and being an actor, he played a vital role working on stage, in film, and in television before his ultimate death just days ago. It hit Audra at the beginning of the title song. [3], On television, LuPone appeared in five episodes of The Sopranos as Dr. Bruce Cusamano, next-door neighbor of the titular Soprano family (19992007). I was 4, he was 7.. He said he was too nervous about his own upcoming lyrics to remember hers. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. The program was founded by American producer John Houseman and French . Robert LuPone was in an on-screen matchup with Patsy Kensit in Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story (1995). Early life and training [ edit] LuPone was born in Brooklyn on July 29, 1946. 173.212.237.43 He studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village in New York City. I'm very tough on people who don't remember that there's an audience out there paying a lot of money. Bob LuPone (Zach Grayson, All My Children; Leonard Brill, Loving) lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on Saturday. March 1, 2023, By Mr. LuPone was familiar to television. March 1, 2023, By However, when he took over the role of Zach, Michael became cold, distant, and often angry. It is clean! Robert LuPone was married to Kathryn Duke before his death. He worked on stage, in film, and in television. LuPones death was confirmed by the MCC Theater in a statement released on Saturday to the Associated Press. I made a film there and I looked around and thought, 'God, I'm a beauty here. Maybe because we dislike in others what we see in ourselves, Michael shut Bob out when Bob began to play a character Michael saw as himself. Required fields are marked * Together, they had one son. BrooadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of performer and MCC Founding Co-Artistic Director Bob LuPone. The first is with Jessica Vosk this weekend, and. The only show title she could think ofwas the show she literally doing at that exact moment. A few years later, as a student in the theater division, I would walk by it proudly as well as in awe, she said. Updated Bob would eventually bring it back to the script, but it was a great way to get everyone to be in the moment. Robert is the brother of actress Patti LuPone and an accomplished actor in his own right with a string of impressive credits. [3][4] LuPone was raised in Northport, New York on Long Island. [after snatching a cellphone during a performance] We work hard onstage to create a world that is being totally destroyed by a few rude, self-absorbed and inconsiderate audience members. Since then she has added to her Broadway musical gallery as Rose in "Gypsy" (2008) and as Helena Rubinstein in "War Paint" (2017). SECAUCUS, NJ - NOVEMBER 23: Tony Sirico attends SopranosCon 2019 at Meadowlands Exposition Center on November 23, 2019 in Secaucus, New Jersey. Yay! The site also curates relevant content that serves the needs of its audience. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Robert Bob LuPone, the Tony and Emmy nominated actor arguably best known for his role in hit TV show The Sopranos, has died at the age of 76. When she was four years old, she began dancing and joined her siblings on stage. Logan Culwell-Block ", - IMDb Mini Biography By: Thats the picture. awards The work, written by Jacinta Clusellas, Tatiana Pandiani, and Melis Aker, was workshopped at Eugene ONeill Theater Center last year. [7], Together with his former student, Bernie Telsey, LuPone established the Manhattan Class Company in 1986. Suffice it to say, he has subsequently forgotten that score. Sadly, Orlando's father Robert LuPone passed away on Saturday August 27 following a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. He is most remembered for his recurring role as Dr. Bruce "Cooze" Cusamano in the smash hit HBO crime drama television series The Sopranos. His father's side came from Abruzzo, while his mother's side is Sicilian. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Apparently, he had been battling cancer for a very long period. Robert Francis LuPone (July 29, 1946 - August 27, 2022) was an American actor and artistic director. Tony nominee and Steppenwolf company member Austin Pendleton is at the helm. Robert was married to his wife, Virginia, at the time of his death, and also had one son, named Orlando, per the AP. After a few months of performances, Bobnoticed the actors becoming a bit relaxed. He was previously married to Virginia Rae Robinson and Kathryn M Duke. Robert LuPone, an actor known for his work on The Sopranos, has died. Robert LuPone was born on July 29, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. I only have twoconcerts coming up. LuPone was born in Brooklyn on July 29, 1946. | Robert LuPone was an American actor and artistic director. He was an actor, known for Funny Games (2007), Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) and The Doors (1991). Click to reveal A fireball of talent and a musical force to be reckoned with, singer/actress Patti LuPone was born on April 21, 1949 in Northport on Long Island, New York, of Italian heritage. There are many talented musicians and singers in Patti LuPone's extended family. 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