Who Was James Rado and What Was His Cause of Death?

Playwright James Rado is best known for his Broadway creation: Hair.

The Grammy winner passed away on June 21, 2022.

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Who was James Rado?

James Rado was born James Alexander Radomski on January 23, 1932 in Los Angeles, California.

He grew up in New York and Washington, DC.

Rado was an actor, playwright, director and composer.

According to The Washington Post, “After serving two years in the US Navy, he moved to New York and studied acting with Paula and Lee Strasberg.”

He is best known for his work on the 1967 musical Hair, which he co-wrote with Gerome Ragni.

Rado and Ragni was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Musical in 1969, but instead won Best Musical at the 11th Annual Grammy Awards.

The hippie musical Hair paved the way for the rock sound on Broadway and was one of the few Broadway shows whose songs charted on the pop charts.

The songs taken from his musical have been used in movies like Forrest Gump, Minions, etc.

The music has also been used in TV shows like Glee, So You Think You Can Dance and more.

Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In is ranked number 66 on Billboard magazine’s Top 100 Songs of All Time.

In 2009, Rado was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

What was Rado’s cause of death?

Rado died Tuesday, June 21, in New York City.

His death was confirmed by his longtime friend and publicist,
Merle Frimark on Twitter:

“I am heartbroken to announce the passing of my dear friend #JimRado, co-creator of #HAIRmusical

“The kindest, most loving, most generous and most passionate spirit has been a great privilege to be by his side for all these decades. I adored him.”

Rado died of cardiovascular respiratory arrest at the age of 90.

Was James Rado married?

Rado kept his personal life out of the limelight.

It is unclear if he was married or if he had biological children.