RIP Phyllis Newman

[Mr. Nowack]

What a legend, what a talent.

 

[Highland Guy]

As best I recall, I knew Miss Newman only from her appearances on Johnny Carson's talk show.  She was funny and quite a good singer.  I liked her, and now I miss her.

[fredric47]

Could someone tell me which social media Amanda Green used to announce her mother, Phyllis Newman's death? It wasn't on Facebook or Twitter, although her brother Adam Green posted his announcement on the latter.

This news doesn't come as a shock since Ms. Newman has been on oxygen for several years now; but it is a great loss for this fan of her work since 1961's Tony Award winning performance in "Subways Are For Sleeping." She was a fabulous comedienne, singer, and actress and a wonderful humanitarian. I am grateful to You Tube for preserving her TV game show appearances. Her infectious laughter will never be forgotten.

 

[AADA81]

What a wonderful person she was.  She was a mainstain of the NYC theater community for decades and also a gifted, Tony award winning actress.  She advocated for the importance of women's health care when it was not popular to do so and she made sure that the legacy of Betty Comden and Adolf Green was maintained with integrity over the course of her life.  Just a great lady.  RIP

[sabrelady]

Met her once an "Nothing Like a Dame"benefit. The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative is an incredible legacy even beyond her performances, marriage and children. A true mitzvah. R.!.P. and thank you.

[Mark Waltz]

She was an instant scene stealer as the first Renee Divine on "One Life to Live", becoming involved with old lover Asa Buchannan and supporting friend Lee Halpern who had to deal with the controlling Elizabeth Sanders (the fabulous Lois Kibbee) after she married Elizabeth's son, Charles, who died shortly after. Phyllis didn't want a long term role so when they decided to make the character permanent, Phyllis stayed on until they could find a reputable replacement. It ended up being another Tony winning Broadway actress (Patricia Elliott) who remained on for many years. 

In "Follies in Concert", Phyllis shared a delightful moment playing around with Elaine Stritch (who jokingly said, "You know, I've never liked you", repeating her Stella role in "Follies" later for the Paper Mill Playhouse production. Both are legendary. Years later, Elaine guest starred on "One Life to Live" (replacing Eileen Heckart) as Wilma Bern, and the majority of her scenes were with Patricia Elliott. I got to see the Mufti production of "Subways are For Sleeping" at the York several years ago, and it was quite understandable why Phyllis's character was the stand-out. The Paper Mill "Follies" CD is my favorite recording of the show, and the orchestrations for "Who's That Woman?" are fabulous. 

[Cora Hoover Hooper]

I remember her many appearances on The Tonight Show and game shows back in the 60s and 70s. Very funny, talented lady. The Paper Mill recording is my favorite recording of Follies.R.I.P.

[GaryinLA]

When I was a kid, seeing her on TV game shows and commercials, I thought she epitomized all that is "New York" I still do. RIP.

[Mr. Nowack]

How did I forget her stellar performance in the Papermill FOLLIES. Hands down my favorite "Who's That Woman!"

It's a pity she never got a starring role of her own in a Broadway musical. The closest she came was the wacky computer dating musical HOW DO YOU DO, I LOVE YOU in the late 60s where she introduced such Maltby & Shire standards as "Just Across the River."

And of course she had her much acclaimed one woman show, replaced a few stars and had a number of supporting roles including her Tony winning one in SUBWAYS ARE FOR SLEEPING.

[markypoo]

In the very early eighties, she replaced Donna MacKecknie in the Chicago company of I'm Getting My Act Together...
She attracted more attention in the press than her predecessor; not only because of her performance but for the love she held both for the city and for her costars.
In fact, there was a restaurant in the vicinity of the old Drury Lane Water Tower where the show was playing, called Tambourine; and for a while one of their available rooms was dubbed Phyllis's Room - where after the show, she and the show's cast would perform into the night.

[Comeback06]

I sure hope so.