Character Actor George Furth Dies at 75 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-11-2008, 11:24 PM

Link

NEW YORK (AP) — George Furth, an actor and playwright who wrote the book for the innovative Stephen Sondheim musical "Company," died Monday. He was 75.

Furth died at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., said Dennis Aspland, his agent, who didn't know the cause of death.

Furth's collaboration with Sondheim started with 1970's "Company," an unconventional, revuelike musical which followed the tribulations of a thirtysomething New York bachelor and his inability to commit to a relationship. Furth won a Tony for his book of the show, which was directed by Harold Prince and featured the choreography of Michael Bennett.

"Company" has had two Broadway revivals since then — in 1995 and again in 2006 in a production where the actors also served as the show's musicians.

"Merrily We Roll Along," based on a play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, was the duo's second musical collaboration. The 1981 show, which told its showbiz story in reverse chronology, closed in two weeks. Yet Sondheim's score remains a favorite of musical-theater buffs, and revised versions of "Merrily" have been done in various regional theaters as well as in London.

Furth and Sondheim also collaborated on "Getting Away with Murder," a comedy thriller that had a short Broadway run in 1996.

Furth began his career as an actor, appearing on Broadway in such short-lived productions as 1961's "A Cook for Mr. General" and the Judy Holliday musical "Hot Spot" in 1963.

As a playwright, Furth had several solo Broadway productions, most notably "Twigs" (1971), a comedy which won its star, Sada Thompson, a best-actress Tony. Directed by Michael Bennett, it told the story of four women, all members of the same family and all played by Thompson.

Among Furth's other Broadway efforts were the book for the John Kander-Fred Ebb musical "The Act" starring Liza Minnelli (1977) and two other plays, "The Supporting Cast" (1981) and "Precious Sons" (1986).

Furth also acted in movies including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Myra Breckenridge," "Airport '77" and "Shampoo," as well as countless TV comedies.

There were no immediate survivors.

Zoneboy · 08-11-2008, 11:26 PM

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0299149/

Mr. Furth

Pavan · 08-11-2008, 11:41 PM

These deaths are getting ridicoulous. 4 TV related already in less than a week. Very sad. I remember him from Archie's Aching Back episode of All in the Family.

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-12-2008, 12:00 AM

Rest in peace

dawsongirl · 08-12-2008, 12:20 AM

I was thinking someone else, but I know this guy from something. Didn't realize he was a playwright though.

Like Pavan said...too many deaths all at once! Very sad to lose someone from classic TV.

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-12-2008, 12:25 AM

I know this is sick we loseing 4 people in 3 day's

BarneyFife · 08-12-2008, 01:00 AM

I remember him from the movie "Oh, God!". RIP George.

Cactus Jack · 08-12-2008, 12:04 PM

I didnt recognize his name...until I remembered he was in Blazing Saddles when I checked his IMDB page, he was great in that

Adamantium · 08-12-2008, 04:16 PM

I remember him from the Christmas episode of "Wings" as well as from "The Monkees." He was a talented guy.

Rest in Peace.

JulieSomoski · 08-12-2008, 05:05 PM

Wow, what is with all these deaths lately? There have been so many this year let alone this week! I can't believe how many great actors are passing away at once.

08-11-2008, 11:24 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	Character Actor George Furth Dies at 75 Link NEW YORK (AP) — George Furth, an actor and playwright who wrote the book for the innovative Stephen Sondheim musical "Company," died Monday. He was 75. Furth died at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., said Dennis Aspland, his agent, who didn't know the cause of death. Furth's collaboration with Sondheim started with 1970's "Company," an unconventional, revuelike musical which followed the tribulations of a thirtysomething New York bachelor and his inability to commit to a relationship. Furth won a Tony for his book of the show, which was directed by Harold Prince and featured the choreography of Michael Bennett. "Company" has had two Broadway revivals since then — in 1995 and again in 2006 in a production where the actors also served as the show's musicians. "Merrily We Roll Along," based on a play by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, was the duo's second musical collaboration. The 1981 show, which told its showbiz story in reverse chronology, closed in two weeks. Yet Sondheim's score remains a favorite of musical-theater buffs, and revised versions of "Merrily" have been done in various regional theaters as well as in London. Furth and Sondheim also collaborated on "Getting Away with Murder," a comedy thriller that had a short Broadway run in 1996. Furth began his career as an actor, appearing on Broadway in such short-lived productions as 1961's "A Cook for Mr. General" and the Judy Holliday musical "Hot Spot" in 1963. As a playwright, Furth had several solo Broadway productions, most notably "Twigs" (1971), a comedy which won its star, Sada Thompson, a best-actress Tony. Directed by Michael Bennett, it told the story of four women, all members of the same family and all played by Thompson. Among Furth's other Broadway efforts were the book for the John Kander-Fred Ebb musical "The Act" starring Liza Minnelli (1977) and two other plays, "The Supporting Cast" (1981) and "Precious Sons" (1986). Furth also acted in movies including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Myra Breckenridge," "Airport '77" and "Shampoo," as well as countless TV comedies. There were no immediate survivors.
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08-11-2008, 11:41 PM	#3
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,815	These deaths are getting ridicoulous. 4 TV related already in less than a week. Very sad. I remember him from Archie's Aching Back episode of All in the Family.
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08-12-2008, 12:00 AM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Rest in peace
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08-12-2008, 01:00 AM	#7
BarneyFife Retired Forum Fanatic Join Date: Mar 02, 2008 Posts: 8,459	I remember him from the movie "Oh, God!". RIP George.
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08-12-2008, 12:04 PM	#8
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	I didnt recognize his name...until I remembered he was in Blazing Saddles when I checked his IMDB page, he was great in that
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08-11-2008, 11:26 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0299149/ Mr. Furth

08-12-2008, 12:20 AM	#5
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	I was thinking someone else, but I know this guy from something. Didn't realize he was a playwright though. Like Pavan said...too many deaths all at once! Very sad to lose someone from classic TV.

08-12-2008, 12:25 AM	#6
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	I know this is sick we loseing 4 people in 3 day's

08-12-2008, 04:16 PM	#9
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	I remember him from the Christmas episode of "Wings" as well as from "The Monkees." He was a talented guy. Rest in Peace.

08-12-2008, 05:05 PM	#10
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Wow, what is with all these deaths lately? There have been so many this year let alone this week! I can't believe how many great actors are passing away at once.
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