Arthur Penn, Tony-Winning Director of Stage and Screen, Dies at 88

Tony-winning and Oscar-nominated director Arthur Penn, best known for the Broadway production and film adaptation of The Miracle Worker and for his iconic film Bonnie and Clyde, died on September 28, the day after his 88th birthday. No cause of death has been announced.

A 1961 Tony winner for The Miracle Worker, Penn received Best Director Tony nominations for his work on Two for the Seesaw (1958) and All the Way Home (1961). His Broadway credits range from The Lovers in 1956, Golden Boy in 1964, Wait Until Dark in 1966, Golda (starring his Miracle Worker leading lady Anne Bancroft) in 1977, Fortune’s Fool in 2002 and the original and revival productions of Sly Fox in 1976 and 2004.

Born in Philadelphia on September 27, 1922, Penn studied with the Actors Studio after serving in World War II and attending Black Mountain College on the G. I. Bill. A pioneer in directing live television, he first presented William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker for Playhouse 90 before bringing the piece to the Broadway stage starring Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. Penn received an Oscar nomination for his 1962 movie version, which won Oscars for both Bancroft and Duke.

While continuing to work regularly on Broadway, Penn directed films such as The Chase, Night Moves, The Missouri Breaks and Four Friends. He was nominated for Oscars for Bonnie and Clyde in 1968 and Alice’s Restaurant in 1970.

Penn is survived by his wife, Peggy, children Matthew and Molly, and four grandchildren. His older brother, celebrated photographer Irving Penn, died in 2009.