Broadway Makeup Artist Randy Houston Mercer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

57-year-old Randy Houston Mercer, makeup artist for Broadway's KINKY BOOTS, THE BOOK OF MORMON and more, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for having sexual relations with two minors near Augusta, Georgia.

The Augusta Chronicle writes that "Mercer pursued contact with minors, engaged in sexual acts that he photographed, and he e-mailed some of those photos to friends." He also neglected "to tell the 15-year-olds he was HIV positive before having unprotected sex," according to U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall.

Mercer pleaded guilty in August to "sexual exploitation of a minor in production of child pornography."

According to his defense attorney Adam King, Mercer moved to Augusta to be with his father, who is dying of lung cancer. He opened a now defunct clothing boutique in Surrey Center. King told the Chronicle that Mercer "didn't deserve 30 years" and had asked for a 15-year prison term instead.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Troy Clark requested the judge stick with federal sentencing guidelines and impose the 30-year term due to Mercer's actions "endangering the lives of children."

Among Mercer's other Broadway credits as a makeup artist are CRY-BABY, MAURITIUS, PRYMATE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FLOWER DRUM SONG, HAIRSPRAY, THOU SHALT NOT, THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, THE PRODUCERS, FOLLIES, CABARET, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, SUNSET BOULEVARD, PICNIC, CRAZY FOR YOU and THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, as well as KINKY BOOTS and THE BOOK OF MORMON in New York and on tour.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Long-Running Broadway Show - Top 3

1. Hadestown

18.1% of votes

2. Hamilton

16.6% of votes

3. Wicked

13.8% of votes

Vote Now! View Live Stats