Josh Grisetti, Broadway star of Something Rotten!, dies by suicide at 44
Broadway actor and educator Josh Grisetti has died by suicide at age 44. His death was announced by fellow actor Rob McClure, who shared his profound grief. Grisetti was known for his roles in "Something Rotten!" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." H...
By Rana Sarkar, Global Desk |
The Broadway community is mourning the loss of Josh Grisetti, the stage and television actor, musical theater educator, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel performer, who died by suicide on Friday, July 10. He was 44. The news was announced on Sunday, July 12, in an emotional Instagram post by actor Rob McClure, who starred alongside Grisetti in Something Rotten! on Broadway and during the show's national tour.
“It is with a shattered heart that I share that the brilliant Josh Grisetti took his own life on Friday,” McClure wrote. “I’m not ready to even attempt to understand. My heart is with his wife and family as they try to deal with the reality of this.”
“Maggie [his wife] and I are beyond heartbroken,” added McClure, noting that he served as the best man at Grisetti’s wedding. “Communities around the world will never be the same without him.”
“We love you Josh. Just a cataclysmic loss,” the actor continued. “Memorial info to come in time.”
Born in Washington, D.C., Grisetti grew up in Southwest Virginia. He attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, graduating in 2000 with a drama diploma, before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory in 2004.
He went on to build a successful career in New York theater. In 2016, he succeeded John Cariani as Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten!, starring opposite Rob McClure's Nick Bottom. The two actors later spent more than a year touring the musical across the United States.
Beyond performing, Grisetti was widely respected as a teacher and mentor. According to his official website, he taught Auditioning for Musical Theatre, Business of Theatre, Beginning and Intermediate Musical Theatre Techniques, Beginning Acting, and Musical Theatre Scene Study at Fullerton College and Loyola Marymount University.
Most recently, he served as an associate professor and head of the BFA Musical Theatre program at California State University, Fullerton. Grisetti is survived by his wife, Mackenzie Grisetti.
"When you have to leave a production for personal reasons before getting to see the show open, and the cast and team do stuff like this..." he posted a collage of images and videos, revealing through the gestures that he actually sobbed on the plane.
Following news of his death, the post filled with messages from friends, colleagues, and fans remembering the actor.
One commenter wrote, "Oh, what a heartbreak to see this post, and then to see @officialsierraboggess 's post reporting that you're no longer with us. Rest in peace. ��"
Another added, "You were the best of us, Josh."
A third person commented, "I hope your soul and those who love you find peace �� thank you for your light and artistry you shared that shall remain on this earth till the end of time"
“It is with a shattered heart that I share that the brilliant Josh Grisetti took his own life on Friday,” McClure wrote. “I’m not ready to even attempt to understand. My heart is with his wife and family as they try to deal with the reality of this.”
“Maggie [his wife] and I are beyond heartbroken,” added McClure, noting that he served as the best man at Grisetti’s wedding. “Communities around the world will never be the same without him.”
“We love you Josh. Just a cataclysmic loss,” the actor continued. “Memorial info to come in time.”
Josh Grisetti's career spanning Broadway, television, and theater education
Born in Washington, D.C., Grisetti grew up in Southwest Virginia. He attended the North Carolina School of the Arts, graduating in 2000 with a drama diploma, before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the Boston Conservatory in 2004.
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He went on to build a successful career in New York theater. In 2016, he succeeded John Cariani as Nigel Bottom in Something Rotten!, starring opposite Rob McClure's Nick Bottom. The two actors later spent more than a year touring the musical across the United States.
Beyond performing, Grisetti was widely respected as a teacher and mentor. According to his official website, he taught Auditioning for Musical Theatre, Business of Theatre, Beginning and Intermediate Musical Theatre Techniques, Beginning Acting, and Musical Theatre Scene Study at Fullerton College and Loyola Marymount University.
Most recently, he served as an associate professor and head of the BFA Musical Theatre program at California State University, Fullerton. Grisetti is survived by his wife, Mackenzie Grisetti.
Josh Grisetti's final Instagram post
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Just days before his death, Grisetti shared on having to step away from a production of Legally Blonde for ‘personal reasons’ and expressed gratitude to its cast and creative team."When you have to leave a production for personal reasons before getting to see the show open, and the cast and team do stuff like this..." he posted a collage of images and videos, revealing through the gestures that he actually sobbed on the plane.
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Following news of his death, the post filled with messages from friends, colleagues, and fans remembering the actor.
One commenter wrote, "Oh, what a heartbreak to see this post, and then to see @officialsierraboggess 's post reporting that you're no longer with us. Rest in peace. ��"
Another added, "You were the best of us, Josh."
A third person commented, "I hope your soul and those who love you find peace �� thank you for your light and artistry you shared that shall remain on this earth till the end of time"
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