The Theatre Community Mourns the Loss of Jerry Herman
By: Stephi Wild Dec. 27, 2019
BroadwayWorld was deeply saddened this morning to report that legendary Tony Award winning composer and lyricist Jerry Herman has passed away. He died in Miami on December 26, due to pulmonary complications. He was 88 years old.
Herman is known for his work on Broadway classics such as Hello, Dolly!, Mame, La Cage Aux Folles, Dear World, Mack & Mabel, The Grand Tour, Milk & Honey and many more. He has been nominated for five Tony Awards, and won twice, for Hello, Dolly! and La Cage Aux Folles. He received a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award in 2009, and a Kennedy Center Honors in 2010.
Read his full obituary here.
The Broadway community has taken to social media to share their memories and condolences. Read some of the posts below. We will continue to update throughout the day as more posts come in.
Lighting a candle for Broadway musical legend JERRY HERMAN.
- Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) December 27, 2019
His tuneful optimism brought joy to the world. pic.twitter.com/iBwBW39WHB
Another American Icon has died, the great #JerryHerman. I met him long ago, and was lucky enough to play Dolly Levi on Broadway in 2017. Every night was a thrill, full of joy, both onstage and in the house. His music was completely American, and we were lucky to have him. #RIP
- Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) December 27, 2019
It only takes a moment to be loved a whole life long.
RIP Jerry Herman. pic.twitter.com/Zi2WWTD6K0 - Hello, Dolly! on Tour (@HelloDollyBway) December 27, 2019
"It only took a moment" for me to fall in love with the music of Jerry Herman... Hello, Dolly! changed my life, as did Jerry's shows for so many others onstage, backstage and in the audience. I'm sending love to his family & friends as we all look back and celebrate his life. -MC
- Michael Crawford (@CrawfordMichael) December 27, 2019
Jerry Herman lost his hard fought battle last night and we lost one of the greats. A collaborator and friend for almost 40 years, I cannot thank him enough for his love, trust, encouragement, support and laughter. Well done, Mr Herman. Bravo! pic.twitter.com/QYws9jQu6h
- Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) December 27, 2019
I shall be watching my all time favourite Hello Dolly today and belting along to the wonderful tunes this genius wrote. Your work will live on forever Jerry Herman. Thank you for it ?#jerryhermanRIP https://t.co/OmN937M0BC
- Alice Fearn (@alice_fearn) December 27, 2019
God bless you Jerry Herman ...♥i??
- Rebecca Lock (@RebeccaLock22) December 27, 2019
Lucky enough to play in your 'Dear World' ....'so long dearie' pic.twitter.com/6TRjxXgcLf
Rest In Peace, Jerry Herman.
- Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) December 27, 2019
JERRY HERMAN THANK YOU! For I've grown a little leaner
- Nathan Lee Graham (@nathanleegraham) December 27, 2019
Grown a little colder
Grown a little sadder
Grown a little older
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder
I need a little Christmas now! WELL DONE. Now rest????? https://t.co/CPy3kgMNUJ
So hold this moment fast
- Kristen Anderson-Lopez (@Lyrikris10) December 27, 2019
And live and love
As hard as you know how
And make this moment last
Because the best of times is now
Is now, is now, is now, is now
-Jerry Herman #lyricoftheday @inklines
The brilliant Jerry Herman passed away.
- Seth Rudetsky (@SethRudetsky) December 27, 2019
He wrote quintessential Broadway songs. Beautiful melodies and fantastic lyrics. https://t.co/WKouDFpzoC
A terrible loss to the world of musical theatre & beyond. His legacy speaks for itself.
- Christina Bianco (@XtinaBianco1) December 27, 2019
Some of my most favorite songs in the world, are his creation. He's one of the main reasons I do what I do. RIP #JerryHerman pic.twitter.com/8JHAkBIuDg
"So hold this moment fast
- Andy Mientus (@andymientus) December 27, 2019
And live and love
As hard as you know how
And make this moment last
Because the best of times is now
Is now, is now"
Sorry for your loss. What a gift he was to all of us. Thank you for the music, Jerry Herman.
- Telly Leung (@tellyleung) December 27, 2019
How Sad,,,Jerry Herman has passed away ,,,of course he made it to Christmas and left us the next day !! He was always so enthusiastic and uplifting about things and gave us the wonderful show Hello Dolly among others !!RIP Jerry Dearest ❤️❤️❤️❤️?
- Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) December 27, 2019
I had the great pleasure of working with Jerry Herman on a few projects. This photo was truly my favorite and it's big number has become my anthem. Thanks Jerry for making my musical life so much richer. 'Life's not worth a damn till you can say, hey world, I am what I am.' JB pic.twitter.com/IzFnNozRO1
- John Barrowman MBE (@JohnBarrowman) December 27, 2019
The great Jerry Herman is gone.
- Michael Feinstein (@MichaelFeinstei) December 27, 2019
He was an amazing composer, lyricists, and most of all FRIEND. I will miss him! pic.twitter.com/2V1CbT1i2x
So sad and shocked to hear of the death of Jerry Herman! One of #Broadway's greatest composer/lyricist! RIP wonderful man. pic.twitter.com/MPPjXTSQMn
- Elaine Paige (@elaine_paige) December 27, 2019
This is Punk Rock Musical Theater.
- Joe Iconis (@MrJoeIconis) December 27, 2019
Jerry Herman, Hail Hail.
(The exit through the house is the classic musical comedy equivalent of a mic drop.) https://t.co/J890XFVgas#RIPJerryHerman
The loss of @AlleeWillis and #JerryHerman over the past 4 days creates a big hole in this world. They were master songsmiths known for their ability to create simple melodies and fill them with joy, wit and heart. May their art live forever. #melodyisking
- Erich Bergen (@erichbergen) December 27, 2019
I'm heartbroken hearing of #JerryHerman's passing. He's gone to light the heavens for us as he did on earth. Honored to perform songs from his shows in #JerrysGirls on #Broadway & sing for him @kencen Honors. His strong spirit will be with me forever. ❤️? pic.twitter.com/UlIJXcinIW
- Chita Rivera (@Chita_Rivera) December 27, 2019
RIP Jerry Herman, a great man of the theater. I once had a meeting at his Upper East Side townhouse, where I was greeted by a uniformed butler and then the delightful Mr. Herman, standing beside a full-length oil portrait of Angela Lansbury as Mame. He provided such joy pic.twitter.com/CEKFNR4gBX
- Paul Rudnick (@PaulRudnickNY) December 27, 2019
Jerry Herman may be gone from this earth, but the joyous songs he left us will live forever ... and so will his exuberant spirit! I feel so honored to be bringing his music to audiences every night.❤️What a legendary talent!❤️#JerryHerman #HelloDolly #RIP pic.twitter.com/XrppG2EFQZ
- Carolee Carmello (@CaroleeCarmello) December 27, 2019
Goodbye, Jerry. Broadway has lost a legend - Jerry Herman, the #TonyAwards-winning composer/lyricist of @HelloDollyBway and La Cage aux Folles, as well as Mame, Mack & Mabel, and more, has died at 88. Rest in peace. https://t.co/G2rqjqLr9z
- The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) December 27, 2019
Thank you Jerry Herman for writing the best songs for broads
- Jackie Hoffman (@JackieHoffman16) December 27, 2019
Dear Jerry Herman,
- Donna Murphy (@DMurphyOfficial) December 27, 2019
Thank you for the countless moments of explosive joy,deep poignancy,profound inspiration,humor& heartbreak,all w/a sense of hope &possibility;all through your amazing music & lyrics.Your Dolly broke me&saved me.4ever grateful.I'll sing ur songs 4ever??? #RIP https://t.co/FjOM7F2xkv
Broadway has lost a legend, the great Jerry Herman, who gave us such great works as Hello Dolly, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles. Thank you for the music and the laughter. We will sing your tunes forever.
- George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) December 27, 2019
Show me a score as perfect as Hello Dolly, as fun as Mame, as thrilling as Mack & Mabel, as rich as La Cage. Jerry Herman was Broadway. ❤️?
- John Bolton (@ItsJohnBolton) December 27, 2019
We join the world in remembering legendary composer and lyricist Jerry Herman. He's the subject of one of the shows in our upcoming Lyrics & Lyricists season. He first appeared at 92Y for the series in 1974, later released as an album, An Evening with Jerry Herman. pic.twitter.com/2jaDVDDxUz
- 92nd Street Y (@92Y) December 27, 2019
Jerry Herman was truly one of the great songwriters of our age, as well as being a dear and wonderful human being. Rest in peace Jerry. We'll be singing your songs forever.
- Alan Menken (@AIMenken) December 27, 2019
Holy cabooses! Been hustling non-stop on my "vaca"day to honor the great #JerryHerman @sxmOnBroadway & finally taking a moment to breathe & feel the enormity of his legacy. I'm so grateful for those shows, that music. The beautiful lyrics & INCREDIBLE melodies. Thank you, Sir ? pic.twitter.com/eIRetfhT5v
- Julie James (@julie_james) December 27, 2019
We lost a legend and a prince among men. Thank you so much, Mr. Herman. Your anthems and characters will live on...so will your legacy! Rest In Peace! ❤️ https://t.co/czgcrvPz8h
- Lindsay Mendez (@LindsayMendez) December 27, 2019
Jerry Herman's contributions to musical theater are among the most significant of the entire genre! RIP, sir.
- Jason SweetTooth (@jasonsweettooth) December 27, 2019
So sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest composers of our time, the legendary #JerryHerman Talent and kindness personified. Thank you for what you gave to the world!
- John Tartaglia (@johnnytartags) December 27, 2019
RIP... thank you for you epic and everlasting contributions. https://t.co/YiGWTuTqLX
- Peppermint (@Peppermint247) December 27, 2019
RIP. What gifts you gave us. I grew up with your musicals. Honored to have performed your work on Broadway. ♥️ Thank you Jerry. https://t.co/rjUpaAtX7a
- NICK ADAMS (@TheNickAdams) December 27, 2019
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