Tony-Winning ‘Hairspray’ Producer Adam Epstein Dies at 49

Adam Epstein, a Tony Award-winning producer known for his work on Hairspray, has passed away at the age of 49. Epstein’s family announced that he died on Tuesday at Adventist Health hospital in Glendale after a brief battle with brain cancer. At the time, he was hosting his podcast, Dirty Moderate With Adam Epstein, when he fell ill.

At just 28, Epstein joined Margo Lion as a co-producer on the original Broadway production of Hairspray, which debuted in 2002. The show was a remarkable success, collecting eight Tonys out of 13 nominations, including Best Musical. It starred Harvey Fierstein and ran for more than 2,600 performances until 2009.

Epstein began his Broadway career as an intern and casting assistant. He served as a production associate in 1997 on The Life, which was nominated for Best Musical. The next year, he produced the Tony-winning revival of Arthur Miller’s A View From the Bridge, starring Allison Janney and Anthony LaPaglia.

In 1999, Epstein produced Amadeus, starring Michael Sheen, and in 2002, The Crucible, starring Liam Neeson and Laura Linney. However, it was Hairspray, adapted from John Waters’ movie, that propelled him to significant recognition.

“Adam was the youngest producer I had ever worked with when we met on Hairspray,” Jerry Mitchell, a two-time Tony-winning choreographer, stated. “I will always be grateful for his support and encouragement and care for all of us.”

Epstein also worked on The Wedding Singer, starring Laura Benanti and based on the Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore film, and Cry-Baby, based on another Waters movie and starring Elizabeth Stanley. These shows premiered in 2006 and 2008, respectively.

Over his career, Epstein’s theatrical productions garnered a total of 12 Tonys and 46 nominations in just a decade.

Adam Keith Epstein was born on September 7, 1974, in Miami Beach, Florida. His father managed a radiology practice, and his mother was a social worker. He attended Miami Country Day School and took part in musical productions like The Wiz and Jesus Christ Superstar.

“Who as a little boy wants to grow up to be a producer? Well, Adam did,” John Waters commented. “That’s what gives him such tremendous confidence. He’s always known what he wanted to do.”

“Together, Adam and I had a hit, Hairspray, and a flop, Cry-Baby, and his enthusiasm for each was exactly the same. A cheerleader for his productions like no other,” Waters added.

Epstein graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. During his time there, he interned for Democratic representatives Peter Deutsch and Bob Graham from Florida.

From 2014 to 2016, while living in London, Epstein wrote a column titled “Expat Enquiry,” where he shared his views on politics and culture. Upon returning to the U.S., he earned a master’s degree in American studies from Brown University.

Epstein carved out a TV career as a political pundit on Fox News, where he served as the liberal voice, often sparring with right-wing commentators. He was also an adjunct faculty member at NYU and a guest lecturer at prestigious institutions like Harvard University and Columbia University.

He launched his Dirty Moderate podcast in 2021, with the last episode airing on August 8.

Epstein is survived by his parents, Bonnie and Marc; his brother, Brett; his sister, Logan; and his nieces, Hazel, Sophie, and Lucy, and his nephew, Oliver.

Services are scheduled for Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Levitt-Weinstein-Blasberg, Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapels in North Miami Beach, followed by interment at Mount Nebo in Miami. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dr. Timothy Cloughesy’s GBM (glioblastoma multiforme) research fund (#61893C) at UCLA.

Source: Various News Outlets