Robert LuPone, a Tony-nominated actor and the founder of the off-Broadway MCC Theatre, has died. He died on Saturday, August 27 at age 76.
LuPone’s death was confirmed by the MCC Theater in a statement released on Saturday to the Associated Press.
Together with his then-acting-student Bernie Telsey, LuPone formed the MCC Theater under the original name of Manhattan Class Company in 1986.
The pair, along with Will Cantler, led MCC across four decades, producing shows that ended up on Broadway like “Frozen,” “Reasons to Be Pretty,” “Hand to God,” “School Girls; or the African Mean Girls Play” and “Wit.”
LuPone got his first job in 1966 as part of the ensemble of The Pajama Game starring Liza Minnelli.
He had his Broadway debut in 1968 in Noel Coward’s Sweet Potato and would later on appear in Minnie’s Boys, The Rothschilds, and The Magic Show.
On television, LuPone appeared in five episodes of The Sopranos as Dr. Bruce Cusamano (1999–2007).
He appeared on Law & Order: Criminal Intent for two episodes as Nelson Broome (2003–2009), and on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit for one episode in 2004.
He also appeared on All My Children in the 1980s.
He appeared in the pilot episode of the NBC musical series Smash as well as the pilot episode of Showtime’s drama Billions.
LuPone is survived by his wife Virginia, his son Orlando, sister Patti, brother William.