Craig Zadan, producer of the Oscars and Oscar-winning film Chicago, has died. He was 69.
“It is with profound sadness that I am announcing the passing of my dear friend and colleague Craig Zadan, who died of complications following shoulder replacement surgery,” NBC’s Bob Greenblatt said Tuesday in a statement. “On behalf of his life partner, Elwood Hopkins, and his producing partner, Neil Meron, we are stunned that the man behind so many incredible film, theatre, and television productions — several of them joyous musicals — was taken away so suddenly. Craig’s distinguished career as a passionate and consummate producer is eclipsed only by his genuine love for the thousands of actors, directors, writers, musicians, designers, and technicians he worked with over the years. His absence will be felt in our hearts and throughout our business.”
Zadan produced movies, television projects and Broadway musicals, including the Oscar-winning Chicago, NBC’s musical drama Smash and this year’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.
Alongside partner Meron, Zadan oversaw the Oscar broadcast from 2013 to 2015. He also produced a series of live musicals for NBC, including The Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz and Hairspray. The duo were working on productions of Hair and Bye Bye Birdie, starring Jennifer Lopez, for NBC slated for next year.
In theater, Zadan and Meron produced several revivals, including Broadway’s How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Promises, Promises.
Zadan also wrote the definitive Stephen Sondheim biography, Sondheim & Co., in 1974.
Zadan and Meron’s productions have earned a total of six Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, 17 Emmy Awards, two Peabody Awards, a Grammy Award, six GLAAD Awards, four NAACP Image Awards and two Tony Awards.
(Excerpt) Read more in: The Hollywood Reporter