George Hearn: Broadway’s Distinguished Bass-Baritone
George Hearn (born June 18, 1934) is an American actor and bass-baritone singer, primarily in Broadway musical theatre. He won two Tony Awards for his performances in La Cage aux Folles and Sunset Boulevard.
Early Life and Education
Hearn was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied philosophy at Southwestern at Memphis, now Rhodes College, before pursuing a career in theater. He trained for the stage with actress and acting coach Irene Dailey. His early performances took place in traditional productions at the New York Shakespeare Festival and theaters at Lincoln Center.
Career and Achievements
Hearn’s professional career began in 1963 when he played Sir Dinidan in a national tour of Camelot, standing by for Biff McGuire, who played King Arthur. He first gained notice as John Dickinson in the 1969 musical 1776 and later as the leading man opposite Liv Ullmann in the musical version of I Remember Mama in 1979.
On March 4, 1980, Hearn replaced Len Cariou in the title role of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd opposite Dorothy Loudon. Later that year, he and Angela Lansbury headed the show’s touring company and reprised their roles for a Showtime production. In 1983, he created the role of Albin in the original Broadway production of La Cage aux Folles, written by Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman, originating the song “I Am What I Am.” He won the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best Actor in a Musical for this role. Hearn also appeared in the West End production, which opened in May 1986.
In 1985, Hearn starred as Long John Silver in an Edmonton production of Pieces of Eight, a musical adaptation of Treasure Island with music by Jule Styne. The production was never staged again despite its credentials. He won a second Tony Award for his role as Max Von Mayerling in the original Broadway production of Sunset Boulevard.
On July 20, 2004, Hearn returned to Broadway for the first time in four years, starring as the Wizard in Wicked and remaining until May 29, 2005. He returned for a limited two-week engagement from January 17 through February 1, 2006. In 2008, he starred in a production of The Visit by John Kander and Fred Ebb alongside Chita Rivera at the Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, which opened May 13, 2008, and closed June 22, 2008.
Hearn’s other Broadway credits include the role of John Dickinson in 1776, Mr. Otto Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, and the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in Wicked. He guest starred on several episodes of Angela Lansbury’s CBS series Murder, She Wrote in the early 1990s.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hearn’s recordings span several decades and include Sunset Boulevard (1994 Los Angeles Cast and later the Broadway Cast Recording), Sweeney Todd Live at the New York Philharmonic, Mack & Mabel (1988 London Concert Cast), I Remember Mama (1985 Studio Cast), Follies in Concert (1985 Live Performance), and A Stephen Sondheim Evening (1983 Concert Cast). He was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame on January 29, 2007.
Awards and Honors
Hearn won two Tony Awards: one for La Cage aux Folles and another for Sunset Boulevard. He received three additional Tony nominations. He was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for La Cage aux Folles and won an Emmy Award for his portrayal in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. His performance in La Cage aux Folles also earned him the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics’ Circle Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Additional Resources
For more detailed information about George Hearn’s extensive career in Broadway musical theatre, his recordings, and his contributions to American theater, readers can consult Wikipedia and other biographical archives dedicated to Broadway history and performing arts.
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