Tom O'Horgan, Director of Hair, Superstar & More, Dies at 84

Tom O’Horgan, a Tony-nominated theater and film director and composer, passed away on January 11, according to the Associated Press. The artist, who had endured a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, was 84 though some sources placed his age at 82.

A Chicago, Illinois native, O’Horgan spent his early career working off-Broadway in experimental theater, most frequently at the storied LaMama. O’Horgan, once called “the Busby Berkeley of the acid set,” took particular interest in combining mediums, as in his 1974 stage adaptation of the Beatles’ groundbreaking Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, a practice that was well-represented during his career on Broadway.

O’Horgan successfully paired the unconventional with well-received mainstream Broadway fare, making his Rialto directorial debut with 1968’s Hair, which earned him a Tony nomination and designation as Theatrical Director of the Year by Newsweek. He went on to conceive and helm the iconic Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as direct shows including Dude, I Won’t Dance, Inner City, The Three Musketeers and the Drama Desk Award winning Lenny, frequently juggling roles as director, producer and composer on multiple projects.

On film, the multitalented O’Horgan composed the scores for Futz! and Alex in Wonderland, and directed the film adaptation of Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros starring Zero Mostel, Gene Wilder and Karen Black.

In November 2007, the longtime New York native found himself leaving the city for financial reasons, selling his Broadway loft and a staggering collection of musical instruments to relocate, somewhat reluctantly, to Florida. “I’m thinking, ‘Why am I doing this?’’ he told The New York Times the day before leaving town. ‘’It’s not good.’”