Director Gene Saks passes away at 93
Three-time Tony-winning director Gene Saks, known as the leading interpreter of Neil Simon’s plays, has died of pneumonia. He was 93.
Three-time Tony-winning director Gene Saks, known as the leading interpreter of Neil Simon’s plays, has died of pneumonia. He was 93.
He passed away on Saturday, March 28, at his home in East Hampton here, reported the New York Times.
The actor-director is survived by wife Keren.
Saks made his acting debut on Broadway in South Pacific in 1949. On stage he appeared in “A Shot in the Dark”, “The Tenth Man”, and “A Thousand Clowns”, in the role of Leo “Chuckles The Chipmunk” Herman, which he reprised in the film version.
He portrayed Jack Lemmon’s brother in the screen adaptation of Simon’s “The Prisoner of Second Avenue”, and also appeared in “Nobody’s Fool” starring Paul Newman.
Saks shared a long-term professional association with Simon, directing the writer’s plays “Biloxi Blues”, “Brighton Beach Memoirs”, “Jake’s Women”, “Rumors”, “Lost in Yonkers” and “California Suite”.
Among his film directing credits are “Barefoot in the Park”, “The Odd Couple”, “Cactus Flower”, “Last of the Red Hot Lovers”, “Mame”, “Brighton Beach Memoirs”, “A Fine Romance”, “So I Married an Axe Murderer” and the 1995 television production of “Bye Bye Birdie”.
Saks’ first Tony award came in 1977 for the musical “I Love My Wife”, followed by in 1983 for the play “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and in 1985 for “Biloxi Blues”.
He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1991.
Saks was first married to actress Bea Arthur, from 1950-1980. The couple had two sons, by adoption. He had a daughter by his second wife Keren.
Source:: Indian Express
