Jerry Herman Remembered by Bernadette Peters, Harvey Fierstein and More: ‘We Lost One of the Greats’
Shortly after reports surfaced that Jerry Herman, Broadway composer of hits like “Hello, Dolly!” and “La Cage aux Folles” died Thursday of pulmonary complications, stars of the stage and screen flocked to Twitter to share fond memories.
“How Sad,,, Jerry Herman has passed away ,,,of course he made it to Christmas and left us the next day !! He was always so enthusiastic and uplifting about things and gave us the wonderful show Hello Dolly among others !!RIP Jerry Dearest,” tweeted “Annie” actress Bernadette Peters.
Harvey Fierstein, an actor and playwright known for “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Independence Day,” shared thoughts on his “friend of 40 years.”
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“Jerry Herman lost his hard fought battle last night and we lost one of the greats. A collaborator and friend for almost 40 years, I cannot thank him enough for his love, trust, encouragement, support and laughter. Well done, Mr Herman. Bravo!” Fierstein tweeted.
Lea Salonga, the Tony award-winning singer known for performances in “Miss Saigon,” and “Mulan,” tweeted, “Rest in peace, Jerry Herman.”
“God bless you Jerry Herman … Lucky enough to play in your ‘Dear World’ ….’so long dearie,'” tweeted British actress Rebecca Lock.
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John Barrowman, a stage and screen actor known for “Arrow,” “Torchwood” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” tweeted, “I had the great pleasure of working with Jerry Herman on a few projects… Thanks Jerry for making my musical life so much richer. ‘Life’s not worth a damn till you can say, hey world, I am what I am.’
Herman was one of the last Broadway composers in the Rodgers & Hammerstein tradition, who relied on hummable melodies and optimistic, seize-the-day lyrics reflected in such songs as “The Best of Times,” “Tap Your Troubles Away,” “We Need a Little Christmas” and “Before the Parade Passes By.”
Over his storied career, Herman won four Tony Awards, including a 2009 Lifetime Achievement honor. He earned honors for his score for “Hello, Dolly!” in 1964 and for “La Cage aux Folles” in 1984, and then another as a producer of the 2017 Bette Midler-led revival of “Hello, Dolly!”
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See the reactions below.
Jerry Herman lost his hard fought battle last night and we lost one of the greats. A collaborator and friend for almost 40 years, I cannot thank him enough for his love, trust, encouragement, support and laughter. Well done, Mr Herman. Bravo! pic.twitter.com/QYws9jQu6h
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) December 27, 2019
How Sad,,,Jerry Herman has passed away ,,,of course he made it to Christmas and left us the next day !! He was always so enthusiastic and uplifting about things and gave us the wonderful show Hello Dolly among others !!RIP Jerry Dearest ❤️❤️❤️❤️????
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) December 27, 2019
Rest In Peace, Jerry Herman.
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) December 27, 2019
So sad and shocked to hear of the death of Jerry Herman! One of #Broadway’s greatest composer/lyricist! RIP wonderful man. pic.twitter.com/MPPjXTSQMn
— Elaine Paige (@elaine_paige) December 27, 2019
I had the great pleasure of working with Jerry Herman on a few projects. This photo was truly my favorite and it’s big number has become my anthem. Thanks Jerry for making my musical life so much richer. ‘Life’s not worth a damn till you can say, hey world, I am what I am.’ JB pic.twitter.com/IzFnNozRO1
— John Barrowman MBE (@JohnBarrowman) December 27, 2019
God bless you Jerry Herman …♥️
Lucky enough to play in your ‘Dear World’ ….’so long dearie’ pic.twitter.com/6TRjxXgcLf
— Rebecca Lock (@RebeccaLock22) December 27, 2019
Goodbye to Jerry Herman, who was made of song. pic.twitter.com/ZiF8RDxKVf
— Benjamin Dreyer (@BCDreyer) December 27, 2019
The loss of @AlleeWillis and #JerryHerman over the past 4 days creates a big hole in this world. They were master songsmiths known for their ability to create simple melodies and fill them with joy, wit and heart. May their art live forever. #melodyisking
— Erich Bergen (@erichbergen) December 27, 2019
RIP to legendary songwriter Jerry Herman, known for Hello, Dolly!, Mame & La Cage. He won 4 Tony Awards including Lifetime Achievement in 2009. Herman passed away in Miami yesterday at 88. #RIPJerryHerman pic.twitter.com/47Lpca3Mxl
— Paul Winkler (@MrPaulWinkler) December 27, 2019
I shall be watching my all time favourite Hello Dolly today and belting along to the wonderful tunes this genius wrote. Your work will live on forever Jerry Herman. Thank you for it ????#jerryhermanRIP https://t.co/OmN937M0BC
— Alice Fearn (@alice_fearn) December 27, 2019
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