Joel Dean, Agent of Elaine Stritch, Comments on News of Legend's Passing

Joel Dean, agent of legendary Broadway star Elaine Stritch, who died this morning, at home in Birmingham, MI at the age of 89, commented to BWW on the sad news of her passing:

"Elaine was truly one-of-a-kind. She was feisty, irascible and at the same time very vulnerable. After first meeting her she was very protective and hard to get to know but once I did she would be a friend forever. I learned not to be intimidated when she yelled at me which was very often."

Click here to see reactions from stars of stage and screen on the passing of Ms. Stritch, updating live.

Stritch made her professional stage debut in 1944 and her Broadway debut in the comedy Loco in 1946. Notable Broadway credits include her Tony Award nominated roles in the original production of William Inge's 1955 play Bus Stop, Noël Coward's 1961 musical Sail Away, Stephen Sondheim's 1970 musical Company, which includes her performance of the song "The Ladies Who Lunch", the 1996 revival of the Edward Albee play A Delicate Balanceand her 2001 Tony Award winning one-woman show Elaine Stritch at Liberty.

Click here to read the full bio of Elaine Stritch.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos