CHINESE COFFEE Playwright Ira Lewis Dies at 82

According to The New York Times, playwright and actor Ira Lewis died on April 4, 2015 due to complications following open-heart surgery. He was 82.

Lewis is best known for his one-act play CHINESE COFFEE, which starred Al Pacino on Broadway in 1992. Pacino also helmed Lewis's 2000 film adaptation, in which he also starred alongside Jerry Orbach.

Alec Baldwin led Lewis's play GROSS POINTS at the Bay Street Theater in 2001. Among the playwright's other works are THE SPONSOR, EVERY PLACE IS NEWARK, PEARLFIELD and more.

As an actor, Lewis made his Broadway debut in INCIDENT AT VICHY in 1964 and went on to tour with LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT the following year.

He also starred with Pacino and Baldwin in Pacino's film directorial debut, the documentary LOOKING FOR RICHARD.