Actors' Equity director Patrick Quinn dead at 56

Posted:
Sep 25, 2006

Broadway theaters will dim their lights for one minute at 8 p.m. Tuesday in memory of Actors' Equity Association executive director Patrick Quinn, who died Sunday morning of a massive coronary while at his summer home in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. He was 56.

The former president of Actors' Equity, Quinn was a working actor for all of his adult life. He had the replacement role of Lumiere in the 1994 Broadway production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

The Council of Actors' Equity Association announced August 22 that he would be the union's new executive director, effective October 5. He was to have succeeded Alan Eisenberg, who is leaving after 25 years in the position.

"Mr. Quinn was a strong champion for the rights of his fellow actors," Actors' Equity said Sunday.

"We were deeply saddened to learn about the passing of our friend and colleague," commented The League of American Theatres and Producers executive director Charlotte St. Martin. "He was regarded as a committed and passionate leader, with an extraordinary devotion to Broadway. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and loved ones, and to the vast community of actors whose lives he touched."

Quinn had served as a councillor of Equity since 1977 and held many leadership positions within the union. He was elected president in 2000.

"During his tenure, Mr. Quinn led the Union with strength and distinction through the aftermath of September 11, 2001, during which he worked closely with the other theatrical unions and employers to stabilize the industry and reinvigorate tourism for New York City," Actors' Equity said. "A strong advocate for theater labor, he walked the picket line in a show of union solidarity during the Local 802 Musicians strike on Broadway in 2003 and faced a similar situation a year later when Equity's own Production Contract negotiations nearly resulted in a shutdown of Broadway and road houses across the nation."

A native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, Quinn began his Equity career in 1970. He made his Broadway debut in the revival of Fiddler on the Roof with Zero Mostel. His other credits include 10 Broadway shows, including A Class Act, Lend Me a Tenor and the revival of The Sound of Music.

His most recent appearance was in the Cape Playhouse production of Sylvia. Earlier this season, he appeared in Gunmetal Blues at the George Street Playhouse. Last year, he starred as Daddy Warbucks in the record-breaking engagement of Annie at the Walnut Street Theater and reprised that role in this season's Annie Warbucks.

A founding member of Equity Fights AIDS, Quinn served since 1993 as the second vice-president of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Patrick Quinn is survived by his partner of 12 and a half years, Martin Casella. He is also survived by brothers James and his wife Sondra, of Naples, Florida; Gerard and his wife Gail of Cotesville, Pennsylvania; John and his wife Marguerite of Doylestown, Pennsylvania; sister Lizanne Antonucci and her husband Joseph; and nine nephews and nieces.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Actors' Equity Foundation, BC/EFA or the Actors' Fund of America.