Gender
Male
Born
May 30, 1912
New York, New York, USA
Died
Oct 24, 2010
New York, New York, USA
Producer Writer Source Material
Relations
Husband of
Elisa Loti (1975 - 2010) his death
Comments
Biography: Joseph Stein was born in the Bronx on May 30, 1912 to Charles Stein and Emma Rosenblum. He earned a master's degree in social work from Columbia University in 1937 and had a career in the field until he met performer Zero Mostel through a mutual friend. His first marriage to Sadie Singer ended with her death in 1974. He married his second wife, actress Elisa Loti, in 1975. He is survived by his wife; three sons from his first marriage, Daniel, Harry and Joshua Stein; a stepson, John Bader; a stepdaughter, Jenny Lyn Bader; and six grandchildren.

Film/TV Credits: He wrote for many film and television shows including: "Sorbas," "Fiddler on the Roof," "Enter Laughing," "A Date with Debbie," "American Cowboy," "Your Show of Shows," and "Plain and Fancy."

Other Awards: Inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in January 2008. Honored by The Dramatists Guild of America with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. Honored by the York Theatre with the Oscar Hammerstein Award for Lifetime Achievement in Musical Theatre in 2007.

Trivia:
The marquees of the Broadway theaters were dimmed in his honor on October 28, 2010.
  • CREDITS
    Prince of Broadway (Aug 24, 2017 - Oct 29, 2017)
    • Book for "Fiddler on the Roof" by Joseph Stein
    • Book for "Zorba" by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevueOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Dec 20, 2015 - Dec 31, 2016)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyDramaRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Feb 26, 2004 - Jan 08, 2006)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Nov 18, 1990 - Jun 16, 1991)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaRevival
    Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Feb 26, 1989 - Sep 01, 1990)
    • Additional text by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevue DanceOriginal
    Rags (Aug 21, 1986 - Aug 23, 1986)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalOriginal
    Take Me Along (Apr 14, 1985 - Apr 14, 1985)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyRevival
    Zorba (Oct 16, 1983 - Sep 02, 1984)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Jul 09, 1981 - Aug 23, 1981)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaRevival
    Carmelina (Apr 08, 1979 - Apr 21, 1979)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalOriginal
    King of Hearts (Oct 22, 1978 - Dec 03, 1978)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Dec 28, 1976 - May 21, 1977)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaRevival
    So Long, 174th Street (Apr 27, 1976 - May 09, 1976)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    • Based on "Enter Laughing" by Joseph Stein
    MusicalOriginal
    Irene (Mar 13, 1973 - Sep 07, 1974)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyRevival
    Zorba (Nov 16, 1968 - Aug 09, 1969)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalOriginal
    We Bombed in New Haven (Oct 16, 1968 - Dec 29, 1968)
    • Produced by Joseph Stein
    PlaySatireOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Sep 22, 1964 - Jul 02, 1972)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
    Enter Laughing (Mar 13, 1963 - Mar 14, 1964)
    • Written by Joseph Stein
    PlayComedyOriginal
    Take Me Along (Oct 22, 1959 - Dec 17, 1960)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Juno (Mar 09, 1959 - Mar 21, 1959)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    The Body Beautiful (Jan 23, 1958 - Mar 15, 1958)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Mr. Wonderful (Mar 22, 1956 - Feb 23, 1957)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Plain and Fancy (Jan 27, 1955 - Mar 03, 1956)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Alive and Kicking (Jan 17, 1950 - Feb 25, 1950)
    • Sketches by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevueOriginal
    Mrs. Gibbons' Boys (May 04, 1949 - May 07, 1949)
    • Written by Joseph Stein
    PlayComedyOriginal
    Lend an Ear (Dec 16, 1948 - Jan 21, 1950)
    • Additional sketches by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevueOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Feb 07, 2009 - Jun 27, 2010)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyDramaRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Oct 24, 2000 - May 26, 2002)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyDramaRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Sep 07, 1994 - Jun 23, 1996)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyDramaRevival
    Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Oct 02, 1990 - Sep 08, 1991)
    • Additional text by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevue DanceOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Jun 28, 1989 - Sep 23, 1990)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyDramaRevival
    Zorba (Dec 31, 1985 - Aug 03, 1986)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevival
    Zorba (Jan 25, 1983 - Jun 30, 1985)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Aug 25, 1981 - May 30, 1982)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyDramaRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Jun 02, 1976 - Dec 12, 1976)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyDramaRevival
    Fiddler on the Roof (Jan 21, 1975 - Apr 20, 1975)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
    Irene (Sep 11, 1974 - May 03, 1975)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Zorba (Sep 11, 1970 - May 18, 1971)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Dec 27, 1969 - Jun 26, 1971)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
    Zorba (Dec 26, 1969 - Aug 30, 1970)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Aug 27, 1968 - Aug 23, 1969)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
    Fiddler on the Roof (Apr 11, 1966 - Jan 17, 1970)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
    Plain and Fancy (Mar 05, 1956 - May 05, 1956)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
    Plain and Fancy (Aug 29, 1955 - Feb 11, 1956)
    • Book by Joseph Stein
    MusicalComedyOriginal
  • AWARDS

    Tony Award®

     

    Best Book of a Musical

    1987 | Nominee  | Rags
    Book by Joseph Stein
     

    Best Musical

    1969 | Nominee  | Zorba
    Book by Joseph Stein

    Best Author (Musical)

    1965 | Winner  | Fiddler on the Roof
    Book by Joseph Stein

    Best Musical

    1965 | Winner  | Fiddler on the Roof
    Book by Joseph Stein
     

    Best Musical

    1960 | Nominee  | Take Me Along
    Book by Joseph Stein
Prince of Broadway (Aug 24, 2017 - Oct 29, 2017)
  • Book for "Fiddler on the Roof" by Joseph Stein
  • Book for "Zorba" by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevueOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Dec 20, 2015 - Dec 31, 2016)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyDramaRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Feb 26, 2004 - Jan 08, 2006)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Nov 18, 1990 - Jun 16, 1991)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaRevival
Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Feb 26, 1989 - Sep 01, 1990)
  • Additional text by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevue DanceOriginal
Rags (Aug 21, 1986 - Aug 23, 1986)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalOriginal
Take Me Along (Apr 14, 1985 - Apr 14, 1985)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyRevival
Zorba (Oct 16, 1983 - Sep 02, 1984)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Jul 09, 1981 - Aug 23, 1981)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaRevival
Carmelina (Apr 08, 1979 - Apr 21, 1979)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalOriginal
King of Hearts (Oct 22, 1978 - Dec 03, 1978)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Dec 28, 1976 - May 21, 1977)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaRevival
So Long, 174th Street (Apr 27, 1976 - May 09, 1976)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
  • Based on "Enter Laughing" by Joseph Stein
MusicalOriginal
Irene (Mar 13, 1973 - Sep 07, 1974)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyRevival
Zorba (Nov 16, 1968 - Aug 09, 1969)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalOriginal
We Bombed in New Haven (Oct 16, 1968 - Dec 29, 1968)
  • Produced by Joseph Stein
PlaySatireOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Sep 22, 1964 - Jul 02, 1972)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
Enter Laughing (Mar 13, 1963 - Mar 14, 1964)
  • Written by Joseph Stein
PlayComedyOriginal
Take Me Along (Oct 22, 1959 - Dec 17, 1960)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
Juno (Mar 09, 1959 - Mar 21, 1959)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
The Body Beautiful (Jan 23, 1958 - Mar 15, 1958)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
Mr. Wonderful (Mar 22, 1956 - Feb 23, 1957)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
Plain and Fancy (Jan 27, 1955 - Mar 03, 1956)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
Alive and Kicking (Jan 17, 1950 - Feb 25, 1950)
  • Sketches by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevueOriginal
Mrs. Gibbons' Boys (May 04, 1949 - May 07, 1949)
  • Written by Joseph Stein
PlayComedyOriginal
Lend an Ear (Dec 16, 1948 - Jan 21, 1950)
  • Additional sketches by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevueOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Feb 07, 2009 - Jun 27, 2010)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyDramaRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Oct 24, 2000 - May 26, 2002)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyDramaRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Sep 07, 1994 - Jun 23, 1996)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyDramaRevival
Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Oct 02, 1990 - Sep 08, 1991)
  • Additional text by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevue DanceOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Jun 28, 1989 - Sep 23, 1990)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyDramaRevival
Zorba (Dec 31, 1985 - Aug 03, 1986)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevival
Zorba (Jan 25, 1983 - Jun 30, 1985)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Aug 25, 1981 - May 30, 1982)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyDramaRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Jun 02, 1976 - Dec 12, 1976)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyDramaRevival
Fiddler on the Roof (Jan 21, 1975 - Apr 20, 1975)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
Irene (Sep 11, 1974 - May 03, 1975)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
Zorba (Sep 11, 1970 - May 18, 1971)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Dec 27, 1969 - Jun 26, 1971)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
Zorba (Dec 26, 1969 - Aug 30, 1970)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Aug 27, 1968 - Aug 23, 1969)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
Fiddler on the Roof (Apr 11, 1966 - Jan 17, 1970)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedy DramaOriginal
Plain and Fancy (Mar 05, 1956 - May 05, 1956)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal
Plain and Fancy (Aug 29, 1955 - Feb 11, 1956)
  • Book by Joseph Stein
MusicalComedyOriginal

Tony Award®

 

Best Book of a Musical

1987 | Nominee  | Rags
Book by Joseph Stein
 

Best Musical

1969 | Nominee  | Zorba
Book by Joseph Stein

Best Author (Musical)

1965 | Winner  | Fiddler on the Roof
Book by Joseph Stein

Best Musical

1965 | Winner  | Fiddler on the Roof
Book by Joseph Stein
 

Best Musical

1960 | Nominee  | Take Me Along
Book by Joseph Stein

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