John Raitt, star of Broadway, movies, and television, has died at 88:
Stage and Screen legend John Raitt, who made his Broadway debut playing Billy Bigelow in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, passed away today at his home in California from complications due to pneumonia. Raitt had just celebrated his 88th birthday in January.
Born in Santa Ana, California, Raitt began performing professionally with the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera and was shortly thereafter signed to a contract with MGM, where he appeared in Flight Command, Billy the Kid and Ziegfeld Girl.
Raitt made his Broadway debut playing Billy Bigelow in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel singing such world reknown songs as “If I Loved You” and “Soliloquy.” He went on to appear on Broadway and in national companies of Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game, Zorba, Kismet, Shenandoah, The Music Man, A Joyful Noise and Man of La Mancha, among many others during his 40 plus year career. Raitt also appeared on the big screen in both The Pajama Game and Annie Get Your Gun, among others.
Most people only know him as the father of pop and blues singer Bonnie Raitt but John Raitt was one of the greatest of Broadway stars. He had the entire package: looks, magnificent voice, acting ability, and that indefineable thing—stage presence.
He got his real start on the stage when he replaced the legendary Alfred Drake as Curly in the national company of Oklahoma. He went on to create the part of the tormented Billy Bigelow in Carousel and Sid Sorokin in Pajama Game. His Soliloquy from Carousel was incomparable in its energy, verve, and poignancy.
Another great, great star has gone to meet the Starkeeper. Rest in peace, John.
