Tony Award Winner Arthur Penn Dies at 88

Legendary stage and film director Arthur Penn, who won the Tony Award for the original Broadway production of William Gibson’s The Miracle Worker, has died at age 88, according to published reports.

Penn also received Tony nominations for his direction of Two for the Seesaw and All the Way Home. His many other stage credits include The Lovers, Lorenzo, Golda, Wait Until Dark, Toys in the Attic, Golden Boy, Monday After the Miracle, Sly Fox, and Fortune’s Fool.

Penn first directed The Miracle Worker for television’s Playhouse 90 and later directed the 1962 film version, which earned Oscars for Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke, both of whom had created the roles on stage. He also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Director.

During his nearly 40-year career in Hollywood, Penn also earned Oscar nominations for Bonnie and Clyde, considered to be his crowning achievement, and Alice’s Restaurant. His other films included The Chase, Little Big Man, The Missouri Breaks, and Penn and Teller Get Killed.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy, and their children Matthew and Molly.