Stage and Screen Producer Tony Adams Dead at 52

Theater producer Tony Adams, a longtime collaborator of filmmaker Blake Edwards, died of a stroke at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City on October 22. He was 52 years old.

Adams co-produced Edwards' Victor/Victoria for the Broadway stage, which opened at the Marquis Theatre on October 25, 1996 and ran 734 performances. His relationship with Edwards began in 1975, working as associate producer on The Return of the Pink Panther. He eventually became president of Blake Edwards Entertainment, overseeing the original acclaimed film version of Victor/Victoria as well as countless other films including 10, S.O.B., The Man Who Loved Women, Micki and Maude, A Fine Mess, That's Life!, Blind Date, Sunset, Skin Deep, Switch and five Pink Panther sequels.

In a statement, Blake Edwards and wife Julie Andrews said, “We have known Tony for so many years; we felt he was our second son. He was a beloved, dear, trusted and talented friend. We are devastated at this sudden loss and we will miss him, his kindness and his wonderful sense of humour. Our thoughts go out to his family at this time.”

Off-Broadway, Adams produced Minor Demons at the Century Center for the Performing Arts in 1997 and the recent The Immigrant at Dodger Stages. He was a senior managing member of Hello Entertainment, a theater producing company actively developing and producing Broadway projects. In addition, Adams produced Lullaby of Broadway: Opening Night on 42nd Street, Julie Andrews: Back on Broadway, My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies and My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs for PBS.

Adams is survived by his third wife, The Phantom of the Opera star Anne Runolfsson, and children Alister Adams, Andrew Hopewell, Molly Adams and Tess Adams.