Theater News

Tony Adams, Film and Theater Producer, Dies at 52

Tony Adams
Tony Adams

Tony Adams, a producer of the Broadway show Victor/Victoria and the husband of actress/singer Anne Runolfsson, died of a stroke in Manhattan on Saturday, October 22 at the age of 52.

Adams was senior managing member of Hello Entertainment. In addition to Victor/Victoria, he produced the Off-Broadway musical The Immigrant and the PBS specials Julie Andrews: Back on Broadway and My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies. At the time of his death, he was working toward producing a stage musical based on the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man.

For over 20 years, Adams worked directly with Andrews’ husband Blake Edwards, director of both the screen and stage versions of Victor/Victoria, on over a dozen of his motion pictures including 10, Blind Date, and much of the Pink Panther series. In response to news of his death, Edwards and Andrews stated: “We have known Tony for so many years; we felt he was our second son. We are devastated at this sudden loss and we will miss him, his kindness, and his wonderful sense of humor.”

In addition to Runolfsson, who was his third wife, Adams is survived by four children — Molly Adams, Tess Adams, Andrew Hopewell, and Alister Adams — and seven brothers and sisters. His two earlier marriages, to Avril Adams and Debrah Farentino, ended in divorce.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 2pm at the Holy Name of Jesus Church (Amsterdam Avenue and 96th Street). In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be sent in Adams’ name to Operation USA, a world relief organization of which he was a founding board member, at 8320 Melrose Avenue, #200, Los Angeles, California 90069.