Gender
Male
Born
Mar 11, 1932
Bronx, New York, USA
Died
Nov 26, 2012
New York, New York, USA
Producer Performer
Also Known As
Martin Klein
Relations
Husband of
Mary Lea Johnson (1978 - 1990) her death
Brother-in-law of
Cecelia Joyce Johnson
See Also
Comments
Biography: Martin Richards was born Morton Richard Klein on March 11, 1932 in the Bronx, New York to Sid and Shirly Klein. He performed in the 1950s as a lounge singer. He then appeared in small roles on television shows before working as a casting director for film studios. Along with his wife, Mary Lea Johnson Richards, helped with the founding of The Producers Circle Company, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Meals on Wheels.

Film/TV Credits: Film credits include: "The Shining," "Chicago," "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," "The Boys from Brazil," "Fort Apache the Bronx," "Some of My Best Friends Are," and "Mexican Hayride." Television credits include: "Inside the Actors Studio," "The Will Rogers Follies," and "Party Planner with David Tutera."

Other Awards: Oscar for Best Picture for "Chicago" in 2003.

Trivia:
One of his classmates at William H. Taft High School was Stanley Kubrick.
The marquees of Broadway theaters were dimmed in his honor on November 27, 2012.
  • CREDITS
    Sweeney Todd (Mar 26, 2023 - May 05, 2024)
    • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
    MusicalThrillerRevival
    Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Dec 11, 2005 - Feb 19, 2006)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    Sweeney Todd (Nov 03, 2005 - Sep 03, 2006)
    • Originally produced on Broadway by: Martin Richards
    MusicalThrillerRevival
    La Cage aux Folles (Dec 09, 2004 - Jun 26, 2005)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyRevival
    Sweet Smell of Success (Mar 14, 2002 - Jun 15, 2002)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    • Produced in association with The Producer Circle Company
    MusicalDramaOriginal
    The Life (Apr 26, 1997 - Jun 07, 1998)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    Sally Marr...and her escorts (May 05, 1994 - Jun 19, 1994)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    PlayOriginal
    The Will Rogers Follies (May 01, 1991 - Sep 05, 1993)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    Grand Hotel (Nov 12, 1989 - Apr 25, 1992)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalDramaOriginal
    Sweeney Todd (Sep 14, 1989 - Feb 25, 1990)
    • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
    MusicalThrillerRevival
    Roza (Oct 01, 1987 - Oct 11, 1987)
    • Produced by The Producer Circle Company
    MusicalOriginal
    Mayor (Oct 23, 1985 - Jan 05, 1986)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    Grind (Apr 16, 1985 - Jun 22, 1985)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    La Cage aux Folles (Aug 21, 1983 - Nov 15, 1987)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    A Doll's Life (Sep 23, 1982 - Sep 26, 1982)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    Crimes of the Heart (Nov 04, 1981 - Feb 13, 1983)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    PlayOriginal
    Goodbye Fidel (Apr 23, 1980 - Apr 26, 1980)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    • Produced by The Producer Circle Company
    PlayOriginal
    Sweeney Todd (Mar 01, 1979 - Jun 29, 1980)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalThrillerOriginal
    On the Twentieth Century (Feb 19, 1978 - Mar 18, 1979)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Rockabye Hamlet (Feb 17, 1976 - Feb 21, 1976)
    • Produced in association with Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    The Norman Conquests: Living Together (Dec 07, 1975 - Jun 19, 1976)
    • Produced in association with Martin Richards
    PlayComedyOriginal
    The Norman Conquests: Round and Round the Garden (Dec 07, 1975 - Jun 19, 1976)
    • Produced in association with Martin Richards
    PlayComedyOriginal
    The Norman Conquests: Table Manners (Dec 07, 1975 - Jun 18, 1976)
    • Produced in association with Martin Richards
    PlayComedyOriginal
    Chicago (Jun 03, 1975 - Aug 27, 1977)
    • Produced in association with Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Mexican Hayride (Jan 28, 1944 - Mar 17, 1945)
    • Performer: Martin Klein
      • Replacement
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Sweeney Todd (Oct 23, 2007 - Jun 29, 2008)
    • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
    MusicalThrillerRevival
    The Will Rogers Follies (Sep 01, 1992 - Nov 27, 1994)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalOriginal
    Grand Hotel (Nov 27, 1990 - May 24, 1992)
    • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
    MusicalDramaOriginal
    La Cage aux Folles (Dec 12, 1984 - Sep 20, 1986)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    La Cage aux Folles (May 29, 1984 - May 26, 1985)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Sweeney Todd (Oct 23, 1980 - Sep 20, 1981)
    • Originally Produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
    MusicalThrillerOriginal
    On the Twentieth Century (Jun 09, 1979 - Nov 25, 1979)
    • Produced by Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Chicago (Sep 12, 1977 - Aug 05, 1978)
    • Produced in association with Martin Richards
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    On the Twentieth Century (Sep 26, 2005 - Sep 26, 2005)
    • Produced on the Broadway stage by Martin Richards
    SpecialBenefit Comedy ConcertRevival
  • AWARDS

    Tony Award®

    Best Revival of a Musical

    2005 | Winner  | La Cage aux Folles
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Best Musical

    2002 | Nominee  | Sweet Smell of Success
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Best Musical

    1997 | Nominee  | The Life
    Produced by Martin Richards

    Best Musical

    1991 | Winner  | The Will Rogers Follies
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Best Musical

    1990 | Nominee  | Grand Hotel
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Best Musical

    1985 | Nominee  | Grind
    Produced by Martin Richards

    Best Musical

    1984 | Winner  | La Cage aux Folles
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Best Play

    1982 | Nominee  | Crimes of the Heart
    Produced by Martin Richards

    Best Musical

    1979 | Winner  | Sweeney Todd
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Best Musical

    1978 | Nominee  | On the Twentieth Century
    Produced by Martin Richards

    Drama Desk Award

    Outstanding Revival of a Musical

    2005 | Winner  | La Cage aux Folles
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Outstanding New Musical

    2002 | Nominee  | Sweet Smell of Success
    Produced by Martin Richards

    Outstanding New Musical

    1997 | Winner  | The Life
    Produced by Martin Richards

    Outstanding Musical

    1991 | Winner  | The Will Rogers Follies
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Outstanding Musical

    1990 | Nominee  | Grand Hotel
    Produced by Martin Richards
     

    Outstanding Musical

    1984 | Nominee  | La Cage aux Folles
    Produced by Martin Richards

    Unique Theatrical Experience

    1976 | Winner  | The Norman Conquests: Living Together
    Produced in association with Martin Richards

    Unique Theatrical Experience

    Produced in association with Martin Richards

    Unique Theatrical Experience

    1976 | Winner  | The Norman Conquests: Table Manners
    Produced in association with Martin Richards
Sweeney Todd (Mar 26, 2023 - May 05, 2024)
  • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
MusicalThrillerRevival
Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Dec 11, 2005 - Feb 19, 2006)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
Sweeney Todd (Nov 03, 2005 - Sep 03, 2006)
  • Originally produced on Broadway by: Martin Richards
MusicalThrillerRevival
La Cage aux Folles (Dec 09, 2004 - Jun 26, 2005)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalComedyRevival
Sweet Smell of Success (Mar 14, 2002 - Jun 15, 2002)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
  • Produced in association with The Producer Circle Company
MusicalDramaOriginal
The Life (Apr 26, 1997 - Jun 07, 1998)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
Sally Marr...and her escorts (May 05, 1994 - Jun 19, 1994)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
PlayOriginal
The Will Rogers Follies (May 01, 1991 - Sep 05, 1993)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
Grand Hotel (Nov 12, 1989 - Apr 25, 1992)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalDramaOriginal
Sweeney Todd (Sep 14, 1989 - Feb 25, 1990)
  • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
MusicalThrillerRevival
Roza (Oct 01, 1987 - Oct 11, 1987)
  • Produced by The Producer Circle Company
MusicalOriginal
Mayor (Oct 23, 1985 - Jan 05, 1986)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
Grind (Apr 16, 1985 - Jun 22, 1985)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
La Cage aux Folles (Aug 21, 1983 - Nov 15, 1987)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalComedyOriginal
A Doll's Life (Sep 23, 1982 - Sep 26, 1982)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
Crimes of the Heart (Nov 04, 1981 - Feb 13, 1983)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
PlayOriginal
Goodbye Fidel (Apr 23, 1980 - Apr 26, 1980)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
  • Produced by The Producer Circle Company
PlayOriginal
Sweeney Todd (Mar 01, 1979 - Jun 29, 1980)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalThrillerOriginal
On the Twentieth Century (Feb 19, 1978 - Mar 18, 1979)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalComedyOriginal
Rockabye Hamlet (Feb 17, 1976 - Feb 21, 1976)
  • Produced in association with Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
The Norman Conquests: Living Together (Dec 07, 1975 - Jun 19, 1976)
  • Produced in association with Martin Richards
PlayComedyOriginal
The Norman Conquests: Round and Round the Garden (Dec 07, 1975 - Jun 19, 1976)
  • Produced in association with Martin Richards
PlayComedyOriginal
The Norman Conquests: Table Manners (Dec 07, 1975 - Jun 18, 1976)
  • Produced in association with Martin Richards
PlayComedyOriginal
Chicago (Jun 03, 1975 - Aug 27, 1977)
  • Produced in association with Martin Richards
MusicalComedyOriginal
Mexican Hayride (Jan 28, 1944 - Mar 17, 1945)
  • Performer: Martin Klein
    • Replacement
MusicalComedyOriginal
Sweeney Todd (Oct 23, 2007 - Jun 29, 2008)
  • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
MusicalThrillerRevival
The Will Rogers Follies (Sep 01, 1992 - Nov 27, 1994)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalOriginal
Grand Hotel (Nov 27, 1990 - May 24, 1992)
  • Originally produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
MusicalDramaOriginal
La Cage aux Folles (Dec 12, 1984 - Sep 20, 1986)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalComedyOriginal
La Cage aux Folles (May 29, 1984 - May 26, 1985)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalComedyOriginal
Sweeney Todd (Oct 23, 1980 - Sep 20, 1981)
  • Originally Produced on Broadway by Martin Richards
MusicalThrillerOriginal
On the Twentieth Century (Jun 09, 1979 - Nov 25, 1979)
  • Produced by Martin Richards
MusicalComedyOriginal
Chicago (Sep 12, 1977 - Aug 05, 1978)
  • Produced in association with Martin Richards
MusicalComedyOriginal
On the Twentieth Century (Sep 26, 2005 - Sep 26, 2005)
  • Produced on the Broadway stage by Martin Richards
SpecialBenefit Comedy ConcertRevival

Tony Award®

Best Revival of a Musical

2005 | Winner  | La Cage aux Folles
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Best Musical

2002 | Nominee  | Sweet Smell of Success
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Best Musical

1997 | Nominee  | The Life
Produced by Martin Richards

Best Musical

1991 | Winner  | The Will Rogers Follies
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Best Musical

1990 | Nominee  | Grand Hotel
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Best Musical

1985 | Nominee  | Grind
Produced by Martin Richards

Best Musical

1984 | Winner  | La Cage aux Folles
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Best Play

1982 | Nominee  | Crimes of the Heart
Produced by Martin Richards

Best Musical

1979 | Winner  | Sweeney Todd
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Best Musical

1978 | Nominee  | On the Twentieth Century
Produced by Martin Richards

Drama Desk Award

Outstanding Revival of a Musical

2005 | Winner  | La Cage aux Folles
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Outstanding New Musical

2002 | Nominee  | Sweet Smell of Success
Produced by Martin Richards

Outstanding New Musical

1997 | Winner  | The Life
Produced by Martin Richards

Outstanding Musical

1991 | Winner  | The Will Rogers Follies
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Outstanding Musical

1990 | Nominee  | Grand Hotel
Produced by Martin Richards
 

Outstanding Musical

1984 | Nominee  | La Cage aux Folles
Produced by Martin Richards

Unique Theatrical Experience

1976 | Winner  | The Norman Conquests: Living Together
Produced in association with Martin Richards

Unique Theatrical Experience

Produced in association with Martin Richards

Unique Theatrical Experience

1976 | Winner  | The Norman Conquests: Table Manners
Produced in association with Martin Richards

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