Broadway musical legend Stephen Sondheim died on Friday in his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. He was 91 years old.
Details regarding the highly acclaimed composer's death are still not publicly known. His friend and attorney F. Richard Pappas announced his passing but said that, to his knowledge, he was not sick at the time and that the death was sudden. The day before, he celebrated Thanksgiving with his friends.
The songwriting genius is one of the most revered in the theater industry. His music and lyrics shaped, and truly set the standard for the American stage musical, with works such as the Tony Award-winning 1962 comedy "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," 1979's "Sweeney Todd" and 1987's "Into the Woods." He also famously collaborated with Leonard Bernstein as the lyricist for the original 1957 "West Side Story."
Many are mourning Sondheim's death, including celebrities whose lives he touched. See below for their touching tributes to the artist.
Goodbye dear sir. We will spend our lives trying to make you proud. #stephensondheim— Idina Menzel (@Idina Menzel) 1637967967
Farewell Steve, the musical theatre giant of our times, an inspiration not just to two but to three generations. Your contribution to theatre will never be equalled. - ALW— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@Andrew Lloyd Webber) 1637967567
& last week, when I wrote him to say his ears must be burning from the countless Sondheim kindnesses being shared from the generations of writers he mentored, he wrote this in reply. \nSteve: you repaid your debt to Oscar 1000 times over. We love you. I love you. THANK YOU. -LMMpic.twitter.com/6aeHW4CWFH— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin-Manuel Miranda) 1637979299
Every so often someone comes along that fundamentally shifts an entire art form. Stephen Sondheim was one of those. As millions mourn his passing I also want to express my gratitude for all he has given to me and so many more. Sending my love to his nearest and dearest.pic.twitter.com/4KlnJJJipq— Hugh Jackman (@Hugh Jackman) 1637969087
RIP legend, icon, greatest composer Mr. Stephen Sondheim! The angels must be singing sir.....Godspeed! Thank you for leaving an incredible legacy https://variety.com/2021/legit/news/stephen-sondheim-dead-sweeney-todd-1235120388/\u00a0\u2026— Viola Davis (@Viola Davis) 1637981836
I was just talking to someone a few nights ago about how much fun (and fucking difficult) it is to sing Stephen Sondheim. Performing his work has been among the greatest privileges of my career. A devastating loss.— Anna Kendrick (@Anna Kendrick) 1637966475
Perhaps not since April 23rd of 1616 has theater lost such a revolutionary voice. Thank you Mr. Sondheim for your Demon Barber, some Night Music, a Sunday in the Park, Company, fun at a Forum, a trip Into the Woods and telling us a West Side Story. RIP. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/theater/stephen-sondheim-dead.html?referringSource=articleShare\u00a0\u2026— Josh Gad (@Josh Gad) 1637964753
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