Sad news for the New York acting community and for the Phantom of the Opera cast:
Obituary
Richard Warren Pugh, a Broadway singer, dancer and actor who performed as an original cast member of "The Phantom of the Opera" for 18 years, died in his sleep Friday at his home in Teaneck. The cause of death was complications from diabetes. He was 55. "He was the perfect character actor, even in life," said his sister, Jeanine M. Pollock. "He always took care of people around him. He was the one in the family that others relied on." On Broadway, Mr. Pugh also performed in "Sweeney Todd" (1979-80), "The Music Man" (1980), "Copperfield" (1981) and a revival of "Zorba" with Anthony Quinn (1983-84). He opened in "Phantom" in 1988. "Acting, that was his whole life," Pollock said. "He had a fused ankle and he was still able to dance. He was a one-legged song-and-dance man." A graduate of Tarkio College in Missouri, Mr. Pugh went on to become vice president of the Actors Equity Association in New York City. He also was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Besides Pollock, he is survived by his father, Henry Pugh, and his nephew, Rhys Pollock. Visitation will be at the Costa Memorial Home in Hasbrouck Heights from 7 to 9 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday. A funeral Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in Lodi.
