Oscar and Tony nominated writer-director Douglas McGrath has passed away at 64. The multi-hyphenate best known for directing 1996’s Emma, co-writing Bullets Over Broadway and penning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical’s book. Douglas McGrath, a renowned writer, director and actor, passed away at 64 years old.
Tony and Oscar nominee John Lithgow recently seen onstage in the off-Broadway show Everything’s Fine that he also wrote. On November 3, producers Daryl Roth, Tom Werner and John Lithgow announced his passing by email: director, producer At first I was hesitant to write the Carole King musical, but she ultimately gave me her trust and inspiration – creating an absolutely breathtaking piece.
Douglas Mcgrath Died
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Douglas McGrath, a Tony and Academy Award-nominated writer, director and performer, has passed away at 64 years old. On Thursday morning, McGrath passed away suddenly, the company of his autobiographical play Everything Is Fine announced on Friday.
Jenni Konner – co-showrunner and one of its writers/directors – tweeted that they “had an incredible time working with him on Girls. Such an incredible talent.” RIP.” He is survived by his wife Jane Read Martin and son Henry McGrath.
“The company of Everything’s Fine honored to have presented his solo autobiographical show. Everyone who worked with him over the last three months of production struck by his grace, charm, and droll sense of humor, and sends deepest condolences to his family,” producers Daryl Roth, Tom Werner and director John Lithgow said in a statement.
Who Was Douglas Mcgrath?
McGrath began his writing career for Saturday Night Live in 1980. In 1995 he earned an Oscar nomination for co-writing the screenplay for Bullets Over Broadway with Woody Allen, and also appeared as an actor in several of Allen’s movies such as Celebrity, Small Time Crooks and Cafe Society.
He also served as writer and director for the 1996 adaptation of Emma, starring Gwyneth Paltrow; 2002’s Nicholas Nickleby adaptation featuring Charlie Hunnam; and Truman Capote’s Infamous (2006) featuring Toby Jones.
McGrath earned a Tony nomination for writing the book of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway, and in 2018 praised King for never asking him to “soften or improve her events in life”. His other playwright credits include Checkers and The Age of Innocence.
McGrath had a number of notable roles on screen, such as Quiz Show, Todd Solondz’s Happiness and 2007’s Michael Clayton. On HBO’s Girls, he appeared multiple episodes as Principal Toby Cook.
