Actor Josh Grisetti died Friday by suicide, his friend and Broadway star Rob McClure announced. He was 44 years old.
“It is with a broken heart that I want to share that the wonderful Josh Grisetti took his own life on Friday,” McClure wrote on Instagram on Sunday, along with a photo of a carousel showing the two of them together.
“I’m not even ready to try to understand. My heart goes out to his wife and family who are trying to deal with this reality,” added the “Good Fight” actor, also 44.
“Some of my fondest memories are being alongside this man for many years playing my brother on stage, watching him inspire students as he transformed Cal State Fullerton’s musical theater program, and receiving the Male of the Year award at his wedding.”
Mr McClure said he and his wife Maggie Lakis were “beyond heartbroken” by the tragic news.
“Communities around the world will never be the same without him. We love Josh. What a cataclysmic loss,” he wrote.
The “I’m Not Rapaport” star concluded his eulogy by telling fans that information about Grisetti’s memorial will come “in time.”
Several stars expressed their condolences in the comments section of McClure’s post.
“My deepest sympathies 💔 and sending so much love and care to those closest to him,” Ariana DeBose wrote.
“❤️,” Rachel Zegler added.
“Oh my God, Rob. Such shocking and heartbreaking news. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful and talented human being and artist. You and your family, Josh’s family, and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. 💔💔💔🙏✨✨✨,” added Rapunzel voice actor Donna Murphy.
Grisetti was born in December 1981 in Washington, DC. I graduated from the Boston Conservatory of Music in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater.
Grisetti rose to fame in 2015 when he made his Broadway debut as Marty Kaufman in “It Shoulda Been You.”
For this performance, the actor won a Theater World Award and was also nominated for a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award.
The following year, Grisetti solidified his Broadway career with the role of Nigel Bottom in the hit musical Something Rotten!
Grisetti gained a wider television audience with his appearance on the 2007 ABC sitcom “Knights of Prosperity.” In 2023, he landed a recurring role as Ralph Emerson on the final season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Josh is survived by his wife, Mackenzie Grisetti, a real estate agent whom he married in February 2020.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
