Robert LuPone, a Tony nominee for Broadway’s iconic “A Chorus Line” who also appeared on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” has died. He was 76.
The Brooklyn native — who was also “Evita” legend Patti LuPone’s brother — passed after a three-year struggle with pancreatic cancer, according to a statement from off-Broadway’s MCC Theater, which he founded.
“The MCC Theater community mourns the loss of our much loved and uniquely inspiring partner, colleague, and dear friend, Bob LuPone, who lived fearlessly and with great curiosity, good humor, a boundless passion for connection, and a whole lot of heart,” the statement continued. “We will miss him deeply and always.”
LuPone was born on July 29th, 1946, in Brooklyn, New York, to Angela Louise (known as Pat), a housewife, and Orlando Joseph LuPone, a school principal.
While in high school, in addition to dancing and participating in the school’s drama program, he also excelled at oboe — ranking ninth best in New York state, according to his official bio. “The problem of my whole life,” LuPone once said, “was figuring out what I wanted to do.”
He was accepted to the esteemed Juilliard School after a friend suggested he audition — an audition that he improvised, Deadline reported. He graduated with a BFA in Dance in 1968.
He made his professional debut in 1966 as part of the ensemble in a regional production of “The Pajama Game” opposite then-newcomer Liza Minnelli. His Broadway debut followed in 1968, with him appearing in Noël Coward’s “Sweet Potato.”
The triple threat — actor, singer and dancer — went on to score a Tony nod in 1976 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical as Zach in “A Chorus Line.” Michael Bennett’s legendary production was nominated for a dozen Tonys that year and eventually broke box office records on Broadway.
He later appeared as Tony Soprano’s doctor, Dr. Bruce “Cooze” Cusamano, in the iconic 1990s mob drama.
It was while teaching acting classes at New York University in the early 1980s he met a student named Bernie Telsey. Together the duo would go on to co-found the Manhattan Class Company — known today as the acclaimed MCC Theater.
LuPone is survived by his wife Virginia, his son Orlando, sister Patti and their brother William.
“Bob was a force, an advocate, complex in the richest ways, overflowing with a youthful enthusiasm, and deeply wise as he looked in to our souls,” the emotional statement from MCC Theater concluded. “He was our best friend. It is hard to believe that we will never sit down with him again and say ‘Let’s talk.'”