Richard Warren Pugh , former Actors' Equity Association second vice president and an original castmember of Broadway's Phantom of the Opera, died June 9 of diabetes-related complications. He was 55.
Pugh, who had taken a leave of absence from the musical, had acted in the production since its debut 18 years ago. Throughout his career, Pugh also performed in the original production of Sweeney Todd with Angela Lansbury, Zorba! with Anthony Quinn, and Dick Van Dyke in The Music Man. He also provided vocals for the animated film Pocohontas.
An Equity member since 1977, Pugh filled the position of second vice president from 1991-2000 and also was a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
He is survived by his father Henry Pugh, his sister Jeanine M. Pollack and his nephew, Rhys Pollock. A funeral mass was held June 12.
-- Nicole Kristal