Craig Zadan—the prolific producer behind movies, TV projects and Broadway musicals—has died at 69.
The cause involved complications related to shoulder-replacement surgery.
Along with his producing partner, Neil Meron, Zadan produced the Oscars 2013-15, earning an Emmy nod for the show all three years. The duo also produced the Oscar-winning adaptation of Chicago as well as Broadway revivals of such productions as How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Zadan and Meron also produced NBC’s recent string of live musicals, including The Sound of Music, The Wiz and this year’s Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.
Among the many who mourned Zadan’s passing was producer Adam Shankman, who posted on Facebook, “In shock….Craig Zadan, my colleague and producer of Hairspray and so many musicals has passed…. prayers for him and his loved ones….I’m so confused and disoriented….he and @neilmeron gave me the opportunity of a lifetime with that movie. I’m so so grateful and so so sad. #rip.”
Zadan and Meron’s productions garnered many honors, including six Oscars, 17 Emmys, a Grammy, six GLAAD Awards, four NAACP Image Awards and two Tonys.