Monday, December 26, 2016

George S. Irving, R. I. P.

Playbill: Actor George S. Irving, a Tony winner in 1973 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in Irene opposite Debbie Reynolds, died December 26. Born George Irving Shelasky November 1, 1922, in Springfield, Massachusetts, he grew up singing at neighborhood synagogues and churches. In 1942 he was cast in the chorus at the MUNY in St. Louis, and made his Broadway debut in 1943 in Oklahoma!. With 32 Broadway credits, Irving performed in such classics as Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Can-Can, Bells Are Ringing, the 1981 revival of The Pirates of Penzance, and Me and My Girl, for which he earned a Tony nomination. He was last seen on a Broadway stage for the one-night-only benefit performance A Wonderful Life for The Actors’ Fund.

2 comments:

Jeff Meyerson said...

We saw him on stage at least twice - in 1978's ONCE IN A LIFETIME revival and the 1981 PIRATES OF PENZANCE with Rex Smith and Linda Ronstadt.

Gary R. said...

I remember his distinctive voice as the narrator of UNDERDOG.