SWEENEY TODD's Roy Gioconda Dies at 77

Chicagoland actor Roy Gioconda passed away Friday, Feb. 26. He had suffered with lung cancer.

Gioconda started his career as a child actor, appearing in three Broadway shows before he was 15: CHICKEN EVERY SUNDAY with Sidney Blackmer; THE WIND IS 90 with Kirk Douglas; and A YOUNG MAN'S FANCY with William Talman. He studied at Julliard School of Music in New York.

After graduation, he appeared in leading tenor roles with the Amato Opera in New York in PAGLIACCI, TOSCA, LA TRAVIATA, and DIE FLEDERMAUS.
He appeared in the national touring company of SWEENEY TODD with Angela Lansbury, and toured the East Coast as "Tony" in MOST HAPPY FELLA, receiving a Joseph Jefferson nomination in Chicago for MOST HAPPY FELLA at In the Round Playhouse. He reprised that role several times in the Chicago area including at Theatre at the Center in Munster, IN.

Roy also appeared in the Chicagoland area at Candlelight Playhouse in many productions: MAN OF LAMANCHA, BOSS and PHANTOM. He appeared in LADY AUDLEY SECRET at the Goodman Theatre, and UNCLE VANYA at 11th Street Theatre.

There will be a memorial at a later date. Contributions can be made to the Actor's Fund.