Michael McGrath

Michael McGrath (September 25, 1957 – September 14, 2023) was an American actor. Best known for his work on the Broadway stage, he received a Tony Award in 2012 for his performance in the musical Nice Work If You Can Get It.

Career McGrath was an ensemble member and understudy for many shows, including My Favorite Year, Swinging on a Star, and Little Me. He appeared in the musicals Anything Goes (2002) as Moonface Martin and in Wonderful Town (2003) as Chick Clark. McGrath played the role of Patsy in the Broadway musical Spamalot (2005), for which he received a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

McGrath starred in the play Is He Dead? on Broadway in December 2007 to February 2008 as Agamemnon Buckner. McGrath originated the role of Mr. Simmons in Memphis (Broadway, 2009).

McGrath played the role of Cookie McGee in the Broadway musical Nice Work If You Can Get It (2012), for which he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He also won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for this performance.

In 2014, he was in the A.R.T. pre-Broadway production of Finding Neverland replacing Roger Bart in the dual role of Charles Frohman and Captain James Hook.

McGrath appeared in a new musical The Honeymooners, based on the television comedy The Honeymooners. The musical premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey on September 28, 2017, and starred McGrath as Ralph Kramden, Michael Mastro as Ed Norton, Leslie Kritzer as Alice Kramden, and Laura Bell Bundy as Trixie Norton. McGrath appeared in a workshop of the musical in 2014.

On television, McGrath was the announcer/sidekick on The Martin Short Show.

While working in the Boston production of Forbidden Broadway, McGrath met his future wife, Toni DiBuono.

Personal life and death McGrath hailed from Worcester, Massachusetts. He was married to actress Toni DiBuono.

Michael McGrath died at his home in Bloomfield, New Jersey, on September 14, 2023, at the age of 65, 11 days shy of his 66th birthday.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes1996 Boyfriends James 2002 Changing Lanes Seavers 2003 Cowboys & Angels Mud Club Student 2005 The Interpreter Jonathan Ferris 2006 Ira & Abby Tony the Doorman 2011 Escape of the Gingerbread Man Stan Voice; short film

Television

Theatre

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 1996Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalSwinging on a StarTheatre World Award 2005 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical SpamalotDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 2012 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical Nice Work if You Can Get ItDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a Musical