Joanna Merlin cause of death and obituary

Legendary Broadway casting director Joanna Merlin has passed away at 92.

NYU’s Graduate Acting program, where Ms. Merlin served as a faculty member, announced her demise on Instagram.

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Joanna Merlin biography

Joanna Merlin was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Toni Merlin and Harry Ratner, both of Jewish heritage, with her father working as a grocer.

She had an older sister, Harriet Glickman, who later gained fame for her role in encouraging Charles Schulz to introduce a black character in his Peanuts comic strip.

At the age of 11, Joanna made her stage debut in a community theater production called “Too Many Marys.”

She pursued her education at UCLA, where she successfully graduated.

In her quest for artistic growth, Joanna had the privilege of studying under the renowned acting instructor Michael Chekhov, ultimately becoming one of his last living and actively practicing students.

Joann Ratner, who later adopted the name Joann Merlin, has made substantial contributions to the acting realm and continues to impart the teachings of Michael Chekhov to aspiring actors.

Joanna Merlin cause of death

The exact cause of her passing is not currently known.

Joanna Merlin, aged 92, reportedly passed away peacefully on a Sunday in Los Angeles.

We are saddened to relay this information, as Joanna has been a highly regarded member of the New York University Tisch Graduate Acting Program faculty since 1998.

The announcement was made via an official post on the program’s Instagram page.

During this challenging period, we offer our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

Joanna Merlin’s lasting contributions to the acting world and her profound influence on numerous aspiring actors will always be remembered and treasured.

The NYU message stated, “Joanna was an actress, an accomplished Chekhov teacher, and a former casting director for Harold Prince, Stephen Sondheim, Bernardo Bertolucci, and James Ivory.

Joanna’s absence will be keenly felt at Grad Acting, within the Chekhov community, and by all those she touched with her artistry.”

Joanna Merlin obituary

Julie Benko, one of her students who took on the role of Fanny Brice in the recent production of “Funny Girl” instead of Lea Michelle, posted a tribute to Merlin on Instagram.

In her post, Benko expressed, “She displayed immense kindness, offering support during my time at @nyugradacting and continuing to send heartwarming messages even after my graduation.”

Details regarding the late star’s funeral are yet to be finalized.

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