Oscar, Tony-nominated writer-director Douglas McGrath dies

NEW YORK (AP) - Stage, TV and film writer-director Douglas McGrath, who earned a Tony nomination for 'œBeautiful: The Carole King Musical'ť and an Oscar nod for the 'œBullets Over Broadway'ť screenplay he co-wrote with Woody Allen, died Thursday. He was 64.

The death was announced by the producers of McGrath's solo off-Broadway show, 'œEverything's Fine,'ť which opened last month. A show representative said the cause was a heart attack. McGrath had written and was starring in 'œEverything's Fine,'ť and was directed by John Lithgow.

'œThe company of '~Everything's Fine' was honored to have presented his solo autobiographical show,'ť the producers said in a statement. 'œEveryone who worked with him over the last three months of production was struck by his grace, charm, and droll sense of humor, and sends deepest condolences to his family.'ť

McGrath began his writing career on the staff of 'œSaturday Night Live'ť and went on to pen the plays 'œCheckers,'ť 'œThe Age of Innocence" and the musical "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical," which ran on Broadway from 2013-2019.

'œDoug was smart, funny, talented, kind, a great friend, and a wonderful storyteller who leaves a legacy of love and laughter,'ť King wrote in tribute on Instagram.

McGrath was nominated for an Academy Award for the screenplay of 1994's 'œBullets Over Broadway,'ť which he co-wrote with Allen. The screenplay was used as a basis for Allen's 2014 Broadway stage adaptation.

McGrath's other films included 'œEmma'ť starring Gwyneth Paltrow, and 'œNicholas Nickleby'ť starring Charlie Hunnam, both of which he wrote and directed. He also wrote and directed the 2006 Truman Capote biopic 'œInfamous,'ť starring Toby Jones.

He earned two Emmy Awards nominations for directing two documentaries for HBO: 'œHis Way,'ť about legendary music promoter and movie producer Jerry Weintraub, and 'œBecoming Mike Nichols.'ť

He is survived by wife, Jane Read Martin, and son Henry McGrath.