Tony Winner Passes
Tony Winner Passes, Director Gene Saks, a three-time Tony winner known for his long collaboration with playwright Neil Simon, has died at age 93.
The cause of death was pneumonia, Saks' family told AP.
Saks was born in Manhattan and started out as an actor, but turned to directing and became one of Broadway's go-to directors for musicals and comedies through the '60s, '70s and '80s.
His first Broadway show as a director was Carl Reiner's "Enter Laughing." He also guided such enduring hits as "Mame," “Half a Sixpence" and "Same Time, Next Year."Saks directed numerous works by Simon on Broadway and on film. Stage productions include "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Biloxi Blues." The films include "Barefoot in the Park" and "The Odd Couple."
Saks made his Broadway acting debut in "South Pacific" in 1949. His best-known stage role was in "A Thousand Clowns" 13 years later. His last directing credit on Broadway was "Barrymore" starring Christopher Plummer in '97. Saks was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in '91.
Saks is survived by wife Keren, their daughter and three grandchildren. He is also survived by two sons from his marriage to his first wife, actress Bea Arthur.
The cause of death was pneumonia, Saks' family told AP.
Saks was born in Manhattan and started out as an actor, but turned to directing and became one of Broadway's go-to directors for musicals and comedies through the '60s, '70s and '80s.
His first Broadway show as a director was Carl Reiner's "Enter Laughing." He also guided such enduring hits as "Mame," “Half a Sixpence" and "Same Time, Next Year."Saks directed numerous works by Simon on Broadway and on film. Stage productions include "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "Biloxi Blues." The films include "Barefoot in the Park" and "The Odd Couple."
Saks made his Broadway acting debut in "South Pacific" in 1949. His best-known stage role was in "A Thousand Clowns" 13 years later. His last directing credit on Broadway was "Barrymore" starring Christopher Plummer in '97. Saks was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in '91.
Saks is survived by wife Keren, their daughter and three grandchildren. He is also survived by two sons from his marriage to his first wife, actress Bea Arthur.