Robert LuPone

 Robert LuPone

Bob LuPone, who helped lead MCC Theater, has died at 76

Bob LuPone, who as an actor earned a Tony Award nomination in the original run of ``A Chorus Line'' and played Tony Soprano's family physician, and also helped found and lead the influential off-Broadway theater company MCC Theater for almost 40 years, has died. He was 76.

Robert LuPone was an American actor and artistic director. He worked on stage, in film, and in television. He was the brother of actress Patti LuPone.

Born: 29 July 1946, Brooklyn, New York, United States

Died: 27 August 2022

Nominations: Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical, MORE

Parents: Angela Louise Lupone, Orlando Joseph LuPone

Siblings: Patti LuPone, William LuPone

LuPone also worked as an actor, beginning in 1966 as an ensemble member of the Westbury Music Fair’s production of “The Pajama Game” starring Liza Minnelli. In 1968, he made his Broadway debut in Noel Coward’s “Sweet Potato.” LuPone later earned a Tony nomination for best featured actor for his performance as Zach in “A Chorus Line.”

Along with his theater career, LuPone also made appearances on “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “Guiding Light” and “All My Children,” for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy.

LuPone served as the director of the MFA drama program at the New School for Drama from 2005 to 2011, as well as the president of the board of directors of A.R.T./New York.

LuPone is survived by his wife, Virginia; his son, Orlando; his sister, Patti; and his brother, William.

LuPone's first professional job was in 1966, in the ensemble of the Westbury Music Fair's production of ``The Pajama Game'' starring Liza Minnelli. He made his Broadway debut in the 1968 production of Noel Coward's ``Sweet Potato'' and later appeared in "Minnie's Boys," "The Rothschilds" and "The Magic Show."

LuPone was initially cast as Al in ``A Chorus Line,'' but convinced creator and director Michael Bennett to let him play Zach after the original actor left. LuPone would earn a best featured actor Tony nomination for the role.

He also served as director of the master's drama program at the New School for Drama from 2005 through 2011 and served as president of the board of directors of A.R.T/ New York.

LuPone is survived by his wife, Virginia" his son, Orlando" sister, Patti" and brother, William.