Frank Galati, the 79-year-old Tony Award-winning director, writer, and actor who greatly impacted Chicago theater, has passed away.
According to The Chicago Tribune, Frank’s death was announced by his husband, Peter Amster. However, the cause of death wasn’t revealed.
In 1988, the Hollywood veteran achieved success by adapting the book The Accidental Tourist for the screen, starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, and Geena Davis. For his efforts, he was nominated for an Academy Award.
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Frank was most renowned for his work on Broadway, where he won a Tony Award in 1990 for his stage adaptation of Grapes Of Wrath, starring Gary Sinise.
He received a Tony nomination for best director in 1998 for “Ragtime,” and was nominated for an Academy Award for best screenplay with Lawrence Kasdan in 1989 for “The Accidental Tourist.”
His extensive list of works in chicago also included productions of “the drawer boy,” in which he starred opposite john mahoney in 2001, and “the tempest,” a 2009 production in which he gave an unforgettable performance as prospero. he also participated in the world-premiere stage adaptation of “kafka on the shore,” as well as productions of “east of eden” and haruki murakami’s “after the quake” at steppenwolf, and “the winter’s tale,” “the visit,” and “cry, the beloved country” at the goodman.
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In a joint statement, Steppenwolf’s co-artistic directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis paid tribute to Mr. Galati: “Frank had a profound impact on Steppenwolf, and all of us, over the years. For some, he was a teacher, mentor, director, adaptor, writer, fellow actor, and visionary. Regardless of the relationship, Frank always made others feel cared for, valued, and inspired in his ever-generous, joyful, and compassionate presence.”
Frank was also known for his work in opera, directing productions of “La Traviata” and “Tosca” at Lyric Opera of Chicago and “A View from the Bridge” at both the Lyric and The Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Frank Joseph Galati Jr. was born on Nov. 29, 1943, in Highland Park. He graduated from Glenbrook High School in 1961 and went on to attend Western Illinois University and Northwestern University, where he got his master’s degree and a doctorate in speech.
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