Paul Ainsley (Jim the Bartender) 1945-2013 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-25-2013, 09:49 AM

Link

NY Times

Veteran performer Paul Ainsley, who created the role of "King Herod" in the landmark original Broadway staging of "Jesus Christ Superstar", has died at age 67 from heart related complications in Los Angeles announced his brother Mark Ainsley White.

Opening Oct. 12, 1971, the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice rock opera staged by Tom O'Horgan was an immediate cultural and popular sensation. Ainsley's second-act performance of "King Herod's Song" was a showstopper and is considered the definitive version of the number.

Ainsley claimed more than 3000 performances of the song - on Broadway (for 700+ performances), national tours, stock productions, concerts and benefits. (Ainsley is credited with originating the role of Herod on stage since - in a rare reversal - the show's Broadway staging preceded its London version.)

Other select theater career highlights include: originating Thenardier in the first national company of "Les Miserables"; essaying Mr. Darling/Captain Hook to Cathy Rigby's "Peter Pan"; succeeding Barry Bostwick and Jim Belushi as the Pirate King in "Pirates of Penzance" and playing Herbie to Karen Morrow's Rose in "Gypsy".

Ainsley was also a member of the Improvisational Theatre Project at the Mark Taper Forum.

In TV, Ainsley was most recognized for his recurring role of Jim the Bartender on "Three's Company" among numerous other credits.

Details on a future celebration of Ainsley's life are pending.

Mr. Television · 01-25-2013, 11:01 AM

Wow. So sad. R.I.P. Paul.

340wedge · 01-25-2013, 11:42 PM

Very sad..He had a great interview with the other actor who played the other bartender over the years in 3s company, a truly fun interview and insightful..www.justmyshow.com

Mr. Television · 01-26-2013, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 340wedge

Very sad..He had a great interview with the other actor who played the other bartender over the years in 3s company, a truly fun interview and insightful..www.justmyshow.com

Wow I just listened to it. That was a great interview.

*Pleasant Tomorrow* · 01-26-2013, 01:20 AM

Aw, oh no.

RIP "Jim."

catlover79 · 01-26-2013, 05:00 AM

Awwwww...

AB · 01-26-2013, 05:27 PM

Rest in peace.

01-25-2013, 09:49 AM	#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: 34,349	Paul Ainsley (Jim the Bartender) 1945-2013 Link NY Times Veteran performer Paul Ainsley, who created the role of "King Herod" in the landmark original Broadway staging of "Jesus Christ Superstar", has died at age 67 from heart related complications in Los Angeles announced his brother Mark Ainsley White. Opening Oct. 12, 1971, the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice rock opera staged by Tom O'Horgan was an immediate cultural and popular sensation. Ainsley's second-act performance of "King Herod's Song" was a showstopper and is considered the definitive version of the number. Ainsley claimed more than 3000 performances of the song - on Broadway (for 700+ performances), national tours, stock productions, concerts and benefits. (Ainsley is credited with originating the role of Herod on stage since - in a rare reversal - the show's Broadway staging preceded its London version.) Other select theater career highlights include: originating Thenardier in the first national company of "Les Miserables"; essaying Mr. Darling/Captain Hook to Cathy Rigby's "Peter Pan"; succeeding Barry Bostwick and Jim Belushi as the Pirate King in "Pirates of Penzance" and playing Herbie to Karen Morrow's Rose in "Gypsy". Ainsley was also a member of the Improvisational Theatre Project at the Mark Taper Forum. In TV, Ainsley was most recognized for his recurring role of Jim the Bartender on "Three's Company" among numerous other credits. Details on a future celebration of Ainsley's life are pending.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

01-25-2013, 11:01 AM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	Wow. So sad. R.I.P. Paul.
	__________________ Sonny

01-26-2013, 01:20 AM	#5
Pleasant Tomorrow Member Forum Addict Join Date: Feb 19, 2003 Location: New York Posts: 69,525	Aw, oh no. RIP "Jim."
	__________________ my name is ashlee Welcome! Everything is fine.

01-26-2013, 05:00 AM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Awwwww...
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-25-2013, 11:42 PM	#3
340wedge Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 09, 2008 Location: New York Posts: 83	Very sad..He had a great interview with the other actor who played the other bartender over the years in 3s company, a truly fun interview and insightful..www.justmyshow.com

01-26-2013, 05:27 PM	#7
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Rest in peace.