Denny Doherty, Co-Founder of The Mamas and the Papas, Dies at 66

Singer Denny Doherty, who co-wrote and co-starred in the Off-Broadway hit Dream a Little Dream about his pop group, The Mamas and the Papas, died in Ontario, Canada on January 19. He was 66.

Doherty, who was born in Nova Scotia, came to New York in the early 1960s. He first played in a band called the Mugwumps, which included his friend, singer Cass Elliot. In 1965, he and Elliot joined Michele Phillips and her husband John to create The Mamas and the Papas. Their many hits included California Dreamin’ and Monday, Monday. The group disbanded in 1968.

Doherty told the story of his life and the group in Dream a Little Dream, which played the Village Theatre in New York City between April 2003 and August 2003. The show, which was directed by Randal Myler, also featured Richard Burke, Angela Gaylor, and Doris Mason.

Doherty also appeared on Broadway in the short-lived 1974 musical Man on the Moon, which was written by John Phillips and produced by Andy Warhol. He also acted periodically in television and movies, including the children’s series Theodore Tugboat and the television film Prince Charming, which starred Martin Short, Christina Applegate, and Bernadette Peters.

Doherty is survived by his three children, Emberly, Jessica, and John, and four siblings.