Stacy Keach Hospitalized with Mild Stroke

Stacy Keach, who had been hospitalized earlier today has been diagnosed as having suffered a very mild stroke, according to a statement released by Center Theatre Group, which can be read below.

"Actor Stacy Keach has been diagnosed as having experienced a very mild stroke with no impairment whatsoever of his motor or speech abilities. He remains today in a Los Angeles hospital for observation and routine precautionary procedures. The producers of Frost/Nixon look forward to his speedy recovery and to his return to the show as soon as he is able".

Keach is starring as Richard Nixon in National Tour of "Frost/Nixon" which is playing at the Center Theater Group's Ahmanson Theatre.

Center Theater Group spokesman Ken Werther told FOX News that Keach was replaced by his understudy for Tuesday's performance.

John Huston once said of Stacy Keach that "Stacy is not a star. He is a constellation. The audience will come to see whatever character he portrays." Keach, who has excelled in many of the classic and contemporary stage's greatest roles, has been called one of America's pre-eminent interpreters of Shakespeare. Mr. Keach began his professional career with the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1964. He received the first of his three Obie Awards for his work in the off-Broadway political satire, MacBird. Broadway credits include Indians (Tony Award nomination); Deathtrap; the Pulitzer Prize-winning Kentucky Cycle (Helen Hayes award for Best Actor) and Solitary Confinement. One of the most versatile stars of film, television and stage, Keach next appears in Oliver Stone's cinematic portrait of George W. Bush, W. He has appeared in numerous films, including: The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter, The New Centurions, Doc, Fat City, The Longriders, Up in Smoke, Nice Dreams, The Ninth Configuration, Escape from L.A., Honeydripper and American History X. He is celebrated worldwide for his hit series as hard-boiled detective, Mike Hammer, as the irascible, hilarious Dad on Fox's comic sitcom, Titus and as the warden on Prison Break. He won a Golden Globe award and an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Ernest Hemingway. Following his triumphant recent title role performance in King Lear for the prestigious Goodman Theatre in Chicago, directed by Robert Falls (which he will reprise in June 2009 at Washington D.C.'s new Shakespeare Harmon Center), Keach has recently starred in such films as Rob Nilsson's Imbued (for which he also composed the music) Ring of Death, The Boxer, The Assistant and Meteor.

Frost/Nixon debuted in a sold-out run at London's Donmar Warehouse before transferring to the West End, winning a 2007 Evening Standard Award. The show opened on Broadway in April 2007, and played a limited five-month engagement where it garnered Tony nominations for Best Play and Best Direction.

Frost/Nixon is Peter Morgan's first stage play and was developed with Matthew Byam Shaw. He received the Best Screenplay Award at the 2006 Venice Film Festival for The Queen starring Helen Mirren and Michael Sheen. The Queen also earned Morgan Golden Globe, New York Film Critics, Los Angeles Film Critics and British Independent Film Awards and an Oscar nomination for his screenplay. His other film work includes The Last King of Scotland, which earned Morgan a British Independent Film Award nomination. Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence, and The Other Boleyn Girl with Scarlett Johansson.

Designs for Frost/Nixon are by Christopher Oram, with lighting by Neil Austin, and the music and sound score by Adam Cork. Video design is by Jon Driscoll.

The Donmar Warehouse is one of London's leading producing theaters, a subsidized (not-for-profit) theater located in the West End. Under the artistic leadership of Michael Grandage and previously Sam Mendes, the theater has garnered critical acclaim at home and abroad. The theater produces at least 6 productions a year and a touring program. Donmar generated productions have received 29 Olivier Awards, 17 Critics' Circle Awards, 13 Evening Standard Awards, and 12 Tony Awards from 8 Broadway productions.

Frost/Nixon is produced by Arielle Tepper Madover, Independent Presenters Network (IPN), Broadway Across America, Fox Theatricals, Mary Lu Roffe and The Donmar Warehouse.

Exclusive tour direction for Frost/Nixon is by The Booking Group (212) 869-9280