Adrian Bailey, a Broadway veteran who starred in 15 productions over the course of his three-decade career, has died at 67 years old.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Bailey made his Broadway debut in “Your Arms Too Short to Box With God” in 1976 and rose to prominence for his singing and dancing.
Bailey was known for his starring roles in “Sophisticated Ladies” (1982), “N.Y.P.D. Mounted” (1991), and “The Kings of Brooklyn” (2004).
He also appeared in the original productions of “Hot Feet” (2006), “La Cage aux Folles” (2004), “Dreamgirls” (2001), “Prince of Central Park” (1989), and a slew of other notable credits.
Bailey was seriously injured in 2008 following an accidental fall through a trap door during a performance of “The Little Mermaid,” which put a halt to his acting career.
Bailey–who was 51 at the time–was treated for fractured wrists and ribs, a broken back, a shattered pelvis, as well as a fractured sternum and foot, reported Backstage.
He went through multiple surgeries as a result of the life altering accident, and filed a lawsuit against Disney noting precautionary measures could have been taken to prevent the tragedy.
Meanwhile, actress and singer Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, who co-starred with Bailey in “My One and Only,” took to social media to offer her condolences, calling Bailey a “gentle giant.”
“After his horrifying fall from the rafters in ‘The Little Mermaid’, he struggled for his life for years relearning EVERYTHING. He survived decades longer than they predicted because he was Adrian Bailey,” she continued.
