Dick Latessa

Birth Place: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

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Dick Latessa BIO

Latessa was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His mother was an automotive upholstery maker. He made his Broadway debut in The Education of H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N in 1968. Additional theatre credits include Follies, Rags, The Cherry Orchard, Damn Yankees, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Awake and Sing!, Cabaret, and Hairspray, for which he won both the Tony and Drama Desk Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

Throughout the years he also has been featured in several Neil Simon plays, including Chapter Two, I Ought to Be in Pictures, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound, Rumors, and Proposals.

Latessa's screen credits include The Substance of Fire, Alfie, and Stigmata. He has appeared in numerous television movies, including Izzy and Moe, The Trial of Bernhard Goetz, and Pudd'nhead Wilson, and primetime series such Get Smart, Mission: Impossible, Ironside, Spenser: For Hire, The Sopranos, Ed, and Law & Order.

Dick Latessa Photos

Dick Latessa STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2012
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Vineyard Theatre Production, 2011
Ben Lyons

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2010
Dr. Dreyfuss

[Las Vegas]
Las Vegas Production, 2006
Wildbur Turnblad

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Wilbur Turnblad

[Off-Broadway]
2001
Ron

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Nunzio Christano

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1998
Performer

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 1998
Herr Schultz [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Burt Hines

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1997
Dr. Dreyfuss

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Carl

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Senex [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1996
Docteur Michel

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1994
Van Buren

[Off-Broadway]
1993
Whitey McCoy

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Daniel Shannon

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Capt. Jack Boyle

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1991
Clem Rogers

[Broadway]
1988
Ernie Cusack [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1986
Jack [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1986
Avram Cohen

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1984
Performer

Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1984
Myron Berger

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Jack Jerome [Replacement]

Jack Jerome [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1983
Boris

Boris

[Broadway]
1980
Renzo

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Performer

[Broadway]
1980
Herb [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1977
Leo Schneider [Replacement]

Leo Schneider [Replacement]

Leo Schneider (Standby)

George Schneider (Standby)

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Nicolo Polo

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Cockian

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1971
Major-Domo

Buddy Plummer (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1968
Giovanni Pastora

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1964
First Spy

Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1960
Hucklebee [Replacement]

[US Tour]
National Tour, 1999
Herr Schultz


Dick Latessa Videos

Dick Latessa News


Previews: TRUMAN TALKS TENNESSEE Comes To Revolution Stage Company

Palm Springs’ newest professional theatre, REVOLUTION STAGE COMPANY (RSC), presents veteran Broadway performer, JOEL VIG, who becomes TRUMAN CAPOTE in his acclaimed one-man show, TRUMAN TALKS TENNESSEE as the RSC celebrates the 100th anniversary of Capote's birth with a ‘FAT TUESDAY' fundraiser at 7 PM!

Review: HAIRSPRAY at Bass Concert Hall

HAIRSPRAY is a chipper, wildly energetic show, and if you can leave your inner skeptic at the door, you might see a glimmer of hope. If not that, then you’ll certainly have basked in some joy for a couple of hours.

Cady Huffman to Lead ADM21 in “Our Favorite Son” From THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES

American Dance Machine for the 21st Century will release its latest joyous virtual video, “Our Favorite Son” from the Broadway musical The Will Rogers Follies, performed by Cady Huffman in the role of Will Rogers, and 10 original Broadway cast members, along with 10 of ADM21's featured dancers.

THE LYONS Is Next Up At The Ensemble Company

The Ensemble Company, the theatre company in residence at Penguin Point Productions located in the Oviedo Mall, follows its recent acclaimed production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning W;t with Nicky Silver's savage comedy about a dying breed, The Lyons.

Where Are They Now? Catch Up on the Careers of the Original Cast of HAIRSPRAY

In our new series, 'Where Are They Now?' we're taking a look back at some of our favorite original Broadway casts, and catching up with their careers! Next up, the original cast of Hairspray!

Vineyard Theatre Announces 2021-2022 Season, Featuring Work by David Cale, Lucas Hnath and More

The Vineyard has just announced its new season, which will include productions of Is This A Room, conceived and directed by Obie Award winner Tina Satter; and the Center Theatre Group, Goodman Theatre and Vineyard Theatre production of Dana H., by Obie Award winner Lucas Hnath and directed by Obie Award winner Les Waters. Both shows will come to Broadway's Lyceum Theatre (149 W 45th Street, New York, NY), playing on a rotating schedule.

UN DÍA COMO HOY: HAIRSPRAY ganaba 8 Premios Tony

La obra estuvo nominada a 13 premios en 2003, incluyendo los Premios al Mejor Musical, Guión, Música y Dirección

The 15 Best Theater Tweets from Theater Stars and Fans This Week

We're rounding up # tweets from the week of 3/29/2021 to 4/2/2021 from Broadway stars and theater fans!

VIDEO: EVERYBODY DANCE NOW! A Look Back at 'You Can't Stop the Beat' From HAIRSPRAY!

In this time of social distancing and remaining responsibly indoors, we are all looking for ways to brighten our days and get moving any way we can! In the spirit of celebrating theater and providing motivation to get up and get shakin', we're taking a look back and paying tribute to some of the greatest dance numbers in musical theater history! Today's number, You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray!

Where is the HAIRSPRAY Original Cast Now?

Hey there, teenage Baltimore! It's officially been seventeen years since Broadway audiences were first welcomed the the 60s with the opening of Hairspray at the Neil Simon Theatre on August 15, 2002. To celebrate the special occasion, we're looking back what the nicest kids in town have been up to since leaving The Corny Collins Show, including Marissa Jaret Winokur, Harvey Fierstein, Matthew Morrison, Kerry Butler, and more! Check it all out!

BWW Interview: Susie Mosher Wants You to Take Your Tuesdays to THE LINE UP!

Monday nights belong to Jim Caruso's Cast Party at the legendary Birdland and now in less than a year the place to be on Tuesday night is Birdland's new downstairs theatre and The Line Up with Susie Mosher.

Did You Know... Our Favorite Fun Facts About the 2019 Tony Nominees!

Over the course of each Broadway season, unexpected and unique storylines inevitably pop up. This morning, with the announcement of the 2019 Tony Award nominations, a number of new narratives have come to life.

Photo Flash: Remembering Legendary Playwright Neil Simon

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, the legendary playwright Neil Simon passed away at age 91 due to complications from pneumonia. Today, BroadwayWorld remembers Neil Simon with a look back on some photos from our archives.

VIDEO: Broadway Kids Jam Releases 'Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now' From HAIRSPRAY

Broadway Kids Jam has released their latest jam, 'Mama, I'm A Big Girl Now' from the hit Broadway musical, Movie, and live TV broadcast, Hairspray. This jam features Molly Richardson (Matilda), Mckayla Twiggs (Anastasia, Les Miserables, Once), Joshua Turchin (The Pill, TrevorLIVE LA, A Christmas Story the Musical) and Shaina Turchin.

Harvey Fierstein Celebrates 15 Years of Broadway's HAIRSPRAY

On August 15, 2002, 'Hairspray' opened on Broadway at the Neil Simon Theatre, winning eight 2003 Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, Best Actor (Harvey Fierstein), Best Actress (Marissa Jaret Winokur), Best Featured Actor (Dick Latessa), Best Costume Design and Best Direction of a Musical. 

Works by Dael Orlandersmith, Samuel D. Hunter and More Slated for Rattlestick's NEW VOICES / NEW WORKS Series

Rattlestick Playwrights Theater and Rosalind Productions Inc. have announced the New Voices/New Works summer reading series. The New Voices/New Works program was launched earlier this year and actively scouts and incubates new voices.

Edward Albee, Debbie Reynolds Among Theater Legends Honored by TonyAwards.com

Each year, the Tony Awards release a list of names of friends and colleagues in the Broadway community who have left us during the past year.

Did You Know... Our Favorite Fun Facts About the 2017 Tony Nominees!

The 2017 Tony nominations were announced this morning. If you haven't checked them out yet, what are you waiting for?! CLICK HERE to check out a full list of this year's nominees, and HERE for reactions from the lucky few!

Photo Flash: Remembering the Great Men We Lost in 2016

As we enter the new year, it is important to remember those we have lost in the preceding twelve months. From actors, to directors, to international pop stars, join us as BroadwayWorld remembers all the great men we lost in 2016.

Dick Latessa FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Dick Latessa has appeared on Broadway in 18 shows.

Dick Latessa has not appeared in the West End.

Dick Latessa has been nominated for several awards, including Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Promises, Promises" and "Hairspray," Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Hairspray," Outstanding Featured Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Hairspray," Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Cabaret," and Performance at the Obie Awards for "Philemon."

Dick Latessa has won the following awards: - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Hairspray - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hairspray - Outstanding Featured Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hairspray - Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Cabaret - Performance (Obie Awards) for Philemon.

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