Youngest Tony Winner Frankie Michaels Dies at 60
(© Rob Rich)
Tony Award winner Frankie Michaels died on Wednesday, March 30, at his home in Chittenango, New York. He was 60 years old.
Michaels is best known for originating the role of Patrick Dennis in the 1966 Broadway production of Mame, for which her earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical at age 10. He remains the youngest person ever to win a Tony Award. His other stage credits include off-Broadway productions of A for Adult and Happily Ever After.
Prior to his Broadway debut, he performed on As the World Turns (1964-66) and its primetime spinoff series, Our Private World. As a child performer, he also recorded Gladys Shelley's theme song for the Little Miss America pageant at Palisades Amusement Park, for Spiral Records.
In 2010, he sang his number from Mame, "My Best Girl," during a tribute to Angela Lansbury at the 2010 Drama League Gala at the Pierre Hotel in New York City.
As of 2013, Michaels worked for United Radio Service in East Syracuse, New York, and sang in clubs and casinos.
He is survived by his son, Michael Lloyd Chernesky, and sister Felicia Hreschak.
