Daily News Theater Critic Douglas Watt Dies

Former theater critic for The Daily News and music composer, Douglas Watt, died in Southampton, Long Island on Tuesday at age 95.

In addition to his work at the Daily News, Watt was a music columnist for The New Yorker and composed pop songs including After All These Years" and "Heaven Help Me," which were recorded by such vocalists as Doris Day and Frankie Laine.  He was one of the co-founders of The Drama Desk, and served as chairperson of the Astaire Awards since their founding in 1980.

Of the hundreds of plays Watt reviewed throughout his career, standouts include "Death of a Salesman" twice - the opening night performance in 1949 and 50th anniversary production in 1999. He is also recognized for helping to save what would become two Broadway classics, Jesus Christ Superstar and Porgy and Bess. Reportedly, Andrew Lloyd Weber one commented that Watt launched his career with his favorable review of Superstar after a pan from the New York Times.  

Watt leaves behind his wife, Ethel; two sons, Richard and James; two daughters, Patricia and Katherine, and eight grandchildren.