Jack Eric Williams
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Odessa, Texas, U.S.
New York City, U.S.
Jack Eric Williams | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jack Eric Williams |
| Born | March 28, 1944 Odessa, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | January 28, 1994 (aged 49) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Musical theatre |
| Occupation(s) | Composer, lyricist, actor, director |
| Years active | 1976–1993 |
Jack Eric Williams (March 28, 1944 – January 28, 1994) was an American actor, composer and lyricist for stage and film. He is most remembered for originating the role of Beadle Bamford in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. Williams died in New York City on January 28, 1994, from cardiac arrest due to complications of diabetes.
Jack Eric Williams appeared off-Broadway as Max in a 1974 production of Harold Pinter's The Homecoming at the Wonderhorse Theater. He made his Broadway debut in 1976 in the Lincoln Center revival of Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera, singing in the ensemble and understudying the role of the Ballad Singer. He next appeared in Stephen Sondheim's 1979 masterpiece Sweeney Todd, originating the role of the villainous Beadle Bamford. Sondheim wrote the exceptionally-difficult vocal lines with Williams' voice in mind. His performances in both shows are preserved on their original cast albums. In 1981 he appeared in the controversial film Strong Medicine. A noted tenor, he once gave a command performance for the King and Queen of Sweden. Williams regularly performed his work in cabaret venues around New York. His one-man show, Songs and Other Devices: A Cabaret Recital (volumes 1-4) was performed at The Ballroom, Lone Star Cafe, Reno Sweeney, S.N.A.F.U., The Other End, and The Westbank Cafe.
