Uploaded November 2012 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Marty Richards, a lion of New York theatre for over 50 years, produced such Broadway hits as ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, SWEENEY TODD, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (original and 1st revival), GRAND HOTEL, THE LIFE, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES amongst many others. His shows have won over 40 Antoinette Perry Awards, as well as numerous Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. In addition, his production of CRIMES OF THE HEART garnered a Pulitzer Prize. Richards was the producer of the original CHICAGO on Broadway and went on to win an Academy Award for producing the film version in 2003. His other films include THE SHINING, BOYS FROM BRAZIL, and FORT APACHE, THE BRONX. Richards was also a generous philanthropist. He, along with his late wife Mary Lea Johnson Richards, was instrumental in founding Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and Meals on Wheels. Richards went on to establish the liver and kidney transplant unit at the NYU Medical Center which bears his wife's name. Richards also created the New York Center for Children to care for abused children and their families.
Marty was the beloved son of the late Sidney and Shirley Klein and is survived by his brother Bruce Klein, his niece Lisa Kirschner and nephew Sean Klein. Other family survivors include Mrs. Elaine Johnson Wold, Diana Johnson Firestone, and J. Seward Johnson, Jr. Marty Richards, 80, died peacefully at home on November 26, 2012. Mr. Richards was a man of the world and will be greatly missed by many.
Video edited by Michael Piehl.
Marty Richards, a lion of New York theatre for over 50 years, produced such Broadway hits as ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, SWEENEY TODD, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (original and 1st revival), GRAND HOTEL, THE LIFE, WILL ROGERS FOLLIES amongst many others. His shows have won over 40 Antoinette Perry Awards, as well as numerous Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. In addition, his production of CRIMES OF THE HEART garnered a Pulitzer Prize. Richards was the producer of the original CHICAGO on Broadway and went on to win an Academy Award for producing the film version in 2003. His other films include THE SHINING, BOYS FROM BRAZIL, and FORT APACHE, THE BRONX. Richards was also a generous philanthropist. He, along with his late wife Mary Lea Johnson Richards, was instrumental in founding Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and Meals on Wheels. Richards went on to establish the liver and kidney transplant unit at the NYU Medical Center which bears his wife's name. Richards also created the New York Center for Children to care for abused children and their families.
Marty was the beloved son of the late Sidney and Shirley Klein and is survived by his brother Bruce Klein, his niece Lisa Kirschner and nephew Sean Klein. Other family survivors include Mrs. Elaine Johnson Wold, Diana Johnson Firestone, and J. Seward Johnson, Jr. Marty Richards, 80, died peacefully at home on November 26, 2012. Mr. Richards was a man of the world and will be greatly missed by many.
Video edited by Michael Piehl.
