Adrian Bailey was a Broadway singer, actor, and dancer whose career was tragically cut short by an onstage fall before a performance of “The Little Mermaid.”
- Died: September 22, 2024 (Who else died on September 22?)
- Details of death: Died at a rehabilitation facility in New York after a fall at home at the age of 67.
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Adrian Bailey’s legacy
Born in Detroit, Bailey made his Broadway debut in 1976 in “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.” He became a regular performer on New York City stages throughout the 1980s, ‘90s, and 2000s, returning to Broadway for roles in noted productions like “Sophisticated Ladies,” “My One and Only,” “Jelly’s Last Jam,” “The Who’s Tommy,” “Smokey Joe’s Café,” “The Kiss of the Spider Woman,” and “La Cage aux Folles.” He also had a small role in the movie “The Wiz” and appeared on TV in “The Josephine Baker Story” and “N.Y.P.D. Mounted.”
In 2008, Bailey landed a Broadway role that would, sadly, be his last. Cast in the ensemble of “The Little Mermaid,” he was also the understudy for King Triton. The show opened in January of that year, and in May, Bailey was preparing for a matinee when, just minutes before the curtains were to open, he fell 36 feet through an open trap door onto the stage below.
Bailey suffered severe injuries, including breaking both wrists, his back in more than one place, his pelvis, several ribs, a foot, and more. He underwent multiple surgeries, and he struggled to relearn basic movements. He was ultimately able to walk again, but his life as a dancer was over, as was his Broadway career.
Tributes to Adrian Bailey
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
