Veteran Broadway actor Adrian Bailey, known for over 15 productions, has died at the age of 67. He passed away on Sunday, just a day before his 68th birthday, at a rehabilitation facility in New York. His brother, Karl Bailey, confirmed his demise, disclosing that Adrian had a bad fall in his New York apartment.
Adrian Bailey was a singer, actor, and dancer, who made his debut in 1976 in Your Arms Too Short to Box With God. He was also known for his work on the Broadway production of The Little Mermaid, and his career spanned about three decades.
Adrian Bailey sued Disney in 2008 for never being able to work, or walk, again
Adrian Bailey is most known for his credits like Jelly's Last Jam (in the role of Ancestor), The Who’s Tommy, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Wild Party (on which he also served as dance captain), Dreamgirls, La Cage Aux Folles, and Hot Feet. However, his last Broadway show was with the production of The Little Mermaid in 2008, as he understudied the role of King Triton.
Just before the start of the production, he fell through the trap door about 20 feet deep. He suffered two fractured wrists, a broken back, a shattered pelvis, a fractured sternum, several fractured ribs, and a fractured foot. He subsequently underwent numerous surgeries to gain back his strength and walk, but all of it proved futile in pushing him back on stage.
It was his last ever show on Broadway. He subsequently sued Disney, as they produced the show, and all the companies involved in the construction of the sets and motion control systems. At the time, he told Backstage in a statement:
"My life has been changed forever. It will never be the same. My immediate goal is to somehow be able to walk up to my own apartment and care for myself. I try to stay positive. I look forward to being made whole some day and being fully compensated for my injuries."
According to Playbill, his doctors didn't expect him to survive for as long as he did. Bailey eventually regained the ability to walk, but traveling for over two hours at a stretch proved difficult due to which he had to miss his mother's funeral. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Bailey's brother said, “I know he wanted to go to that."
Adrian Bailey's friends pay tributes
Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill, who co-starred with Bailey in My One and Only, took to Instagram to pay tribute to Bailey.
"The wonderful Adrian Bailey has gone home. This man was a giant in more ways than height. When I co-starred with Tommy Tune for 7 months in “My One and Only”, Adrian was our gentle giant. The talent and compassion he had were beyond description."
She continued, reflecting on his fall and the subsequent halt to his career.
"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. Tapping with Honi Coles and holding court now with his better angels, he will finally be free from all that. You were a kind and beautiful person, Adrian. We all adored you. You leave a big gap in our lives."
Playwright, Patrick L. Riley, also took to the platform to pay his tributes.
"Adrian Bailey is now an ancestor 💔 🤍🕊🙏🏾🎵🎶🎼🙋🏾♂️! You are LOVED by so many including me😭. Rest on, SIR. Peacefully. ❤️"
Adrian Bailey is survived by his brother Karl, two other brothers, Louis and Frank, and a sister, Angela.
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