Patrick Quinn, Broadway Actor and Longtime Equity Leader, Dead at 55

Patrick Quinn died early this morning of a massive coronary at his summer home in the Poconos. The actor and former President of Actors' Equity Association was 55 years old.

Quinn held many positions in Equity since first serving as a Councillor in 1977 including his most recent position of Executive Director, which he was appointed to in August. From 2000 until that point, Quinn served three terms as President, helping to lead the organization through the aftermath of 9/11, working with other theatrical unions and employers to stabalize the industry and reinvigoration tourism to New York City. He also served as Third Vice-President, First Vice President and for 17 years chaired the union's negotiating teams for its flagship Production Contract.

A native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, Quinn began his Equity career in 1970 and appeared in 10 Broadway shows, including A Class Act, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, Damn Yankees and Lend Me a Tenor. He was most recently seen in Sylvia at the Cape Playhouse over the summer. As a director, Quinn directed the off-Broadway musical comedy Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know.

Quinn was a founding member of Equity Fights AIDS and has served as the 2nd Vice President since 1993 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. He was a trustee of The Actors' Fund of America, Equity-League Pension, Health and 401k Trust Funds, the Actors' Equity Staff Pension Plan, and served as Secretary of the Actors' Equity Foundation and a delegate to the Associated Actors and Artistes of America.

Quinn is survived by partner Martin Cassella, three brothers and one sister. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Actors' Equity Foundation, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS or the Actors' Fund of America.