Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim – who penned many of the iconic songs from the musical West Side Story – has died at the age of 91.
The musical star sadly passed away at his family home in Roxbury, Connecticut during the early hours of Friday morning.
His death was announced by his lawyer and close friend F. Richard Pappas, who described his death as sudden.
Just hours prior to his death, the songwriter celebrated Thanksgiving with a large dinner surrounded by his close friends and family.
(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
It comes after the Stephen suffered a fall that left him unable to attend the opening of his theatre in the heart of London’s West End.
After missing the opening night, the musical legend published a statement to explain his absence.
He penned: “As I recover from my tumble, I’m inpatient to throw away my cane, grab my hat and head across the Pond as soon as I can see on which cherub Cameron has tattooed my initials.
“I am, to put it mildly, chuffed to have my name on a theatre in the West End I have loved visiting ever since my first trip to London almost seventy years ago.”
(Image: Getty Images)
But that didn’t stop the legendary songwriter from celebrating his 90th birthday in style as he hosted the grand event virtually back in April which had the likes of award-winning actress Meryl Streep in attendance.
Stephen first found Broadway success after he wrote the script and accompanying soundtrack for the 1962 comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum which won a Tony Award for the best musical.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the musician really found his stride as he repeatedly turned out incredible pieces of original numbers for now legendary musicals.
(Image: Getty Images)
In the space of ten years, he managed to produce a range of works including Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and A Little Night Music.
Most recently, three film awards contenders featured his music including blockbuster movies like Knives Out, Jokes and Marriage Story.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
