Martin Richards: Broadway producer dies age 80

Broadway producer Martin Richards died in New York on 26 Nov 2012 from cancer, at age 80, following a long illness.

Richards Broadway productions of 'Sweeney Todd,' 'La Cage aux Folles' and 'The Will Rogers Follies' won Tony Awards for Best Musical, and his productions of 'On the Twentieth Century,' 'Grand Hotel' and 'Sweet Smell of Success' received Tony nominations. He also produced the Pullitzer Award winning play 'Crimes of the Heart.'

Richards produced the original 1975 Broadway production of 'Chicago,' which he also produced as a film in 2020. The Film "Chicago" won both Oscar and BAFTA Awards for Best movie. His other movie production credits include "The Shining," "Fort Apache the Bronx" and "The Boys from Brazil."

Martin Richards was born in the Bronx on 11 Mar 1932. He made his Broadway acting debut when he was twelve years old, starring in the 1944 musical 'Mexican Hayride.' Originally a casting director, he produced his first Broadway musical 'Chicago' in 1975 and went on to produce another 22 Broadway shows, his last being 'Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life' in 2005.

Though openly gay, Richards married Johnson & Johnson heiress Mary Lea Johnson in 1978. The couple lived together until Mary Lea Johnson died of liver cancer at the age of 63. Richards donated millions to establish the Mary Lea Johnson Richards Research Institute at NYU Medical Center.

Richards and his late wife Mary Lea Johnson helped with the founding of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Meals on Wheels, and also help to fund The Producer's Circle.

Richards is survived by his brother Bruce Klein and a niece and nephew.