Michael McKean the night before the car accident at the Obie's Photo: Rose Billing
Michael McKean, 64, tweeted today “Lucky man: best wife, great kids, awesome docs and nurses, priceless friends; a little overwhelmed by the sweet tweets. Love all y’all.” McKean was struck by a car as it vehicle jumped onto the sidewalk at West 86th Street and Broadway, just before 3 p.m. Tuesday. The night before he had been at the Obie Awards handing out awards to his fellow actors. McKean is in stable condition, but “The Best Man” actor is out of the show as he recovers from a broken leg. McKean, was rushed to St. Luke’s Hospital and doctors are checking to see if he suffered any other broken bones, his manager said. “Hopefully, he’ll be fine,” Harriet Sternberg said. “He has sustained multiple injures and we are trying to find out the extent of other injuries.” The three passengers in the vehicle were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries, FDNY said. So far no one has been charged.
McKean had never missed a performance until now so it is understandably that Producer Jeffrey Richards waited to announce that McKean’s role will now be played by James Lecesne. McKean played Bill Russell’s (John Larroquette) campaign director.
For those who are failure with Provincetown, Ma. theatre, Lecesne is well known. On Broadway he had been making his Broadway debut with “Best Man”, playing the much smaller role of a reporter from The Washington Post. Not bad considering “Gore Vidal’s The Best Man” stars James Earl Jones, John Larroquette, Candice Bergen, Kerry Butler, Angela Lansbury, and Eric McCormack. The play is nominated for a Tony and a Drama Desk award for best revival.
McKean, is a terrific actor. Last winter he was part of “King Lear” at The Public Theater and the year before he riveted audiences in ”Superior Donuts.” He also appeared on Broadway in “Hairspray,” the Harry Connick Jr. revival of “The Pajama Game,” and “The Homecoming.” Most known by TV audiences as Lenny on that 70′s show “Laverne & Shirley.” The big screen will recognize McKean from the Christopher Guest’s comedies “Best in Show,” “For Your Consideration” and “A Mighty Wind,” which earned him and his wife, actress and composer Annette O’Toole, an Academy Award nomination for best original song.
“Gore Vidal’s The Best Man” has been extended twice and is now playing through September 9th.
Posted by Suzanna Bowling
on May 24, 2012. Filed under ENTERTAIMENT,Headliners,HOME,NEWS,Theatre.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
You must be logged in to post a comment Login