Adrian Bailey, a distinguished Broadway actor, has died at 67. Bailey’s illustrious career, which spanned over 30 years, saw him take the stage in 15 Broadway shows. He passed away on September 22, 2024 in a New York rehabilitation facility following a fall in his apartment earlier this year.
Bailey’s introduction to Broadway came in 1976 with “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.” He went on to feature in various productions such as “Dreamgirls,” “La Cage aux Folles,” “The Who’s Tommy,” and “Smokey Joe’s Cafe.” His final Broadway appearance was in “The Little Mermaid,” where he served as an ensemble member and the understudy for King Triton.
However, a severe accident during a 2008 rehearsal brought a sudden halt to his stage career. Bailey fell through a trapdoor before a Saturday matinee performance, sustaining serious injuries that significantly impacted his life.
In the aftermath of the accident, Bailey underwent multiple surgeries to recover from injuries including fractured wrists, a broken back, a shattered pelvis, and more. Despite the accident’s gravity, Bailey remained positive. In an interview, he stated, “My life has been changed forever. It will never be the same. My immediate goal is to somehow be able to walk up to my own apartment and care for myself. I try to stay positive. I look forward to being made whole someday.”
Following his accident, Bailey remained largely out of sight from the public but stayed connected to the Broadway community, sporadically attending theater events.
Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, a fellow performer in “My One and Only,” paid tribute to Bailey on social media, referring to him as a gentle giant. She acknowledged his talent, compassion, and the immense challenges he faced during his recovery.
News of Bailey’s death has sparked numerous tributes on social media, praising his talent, resilience, and kindness. Playwright Patrick L. Riley reminisced about Bailey’s impact, referring to him as an ancestor and expressing his love and wishes for Bailey’s peace.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Bailey’s path to the stage started early. His skill set, which included singing, dancing, and acting, made him a staple in the Broadway scene. His range of roles in various genres, from musicals like “Jelly’s Last Jam” to dramas like “Prince of Central Park,” and his performance in “Sophisticated Ladies” in 1982, solidified his reputation in theater.
Details of a public memorial for Bailey have not yet been disclosed by his family. However, his peers and friends are expected to remember him through special tributes and performances in the near future.
