MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CELEBRITY NEWS

Who is Stephen Sondheim’s partner? Musical icon who died at 91 came out as gay at 40

Stephen Sondheim was an Academy Award and a Pulitzer Award winner along with nine Tony Awards and eight Grammy Awards

Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, who became iconic for not writing “jazz hands” musicals, died at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut on Friday, November 26. He was 91. The unfortunate news of his demise was reportedly shared by his lawyer F Richard Pappas. The cause of his death is unclear. Sondheim had reportedly celebrated Thanksgiving with his close friends in his neighborhood. The Academy Award and Pulitzer Award-winning artist was best known for his productions such as ‘Company’ (1970), ‘Sweeney Todd’ (1979), and ‘Into the Woods’ (1987).
 
Sondheim was also the recipient of nine Tony Awards and eight Grammy Awards. In 2015, Stephen Sondheim was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The legendary composer and lyricist also made headlines when he came out as gay at the age of 40. He earlier lived with dramatist Peter Jones for eight years in the 1990s and later married Jeffrey Scott Romley despite having a huge age difference. Speaking of celebrity deaths, we recently lost Lisa Banes in a hit-and-run accident. The 'Deliverance' star Ned Beatty too left us for the heavenly abode. Other celebrities that we lost in the last few months include Chick Vennera, Jay Black, legendary comedian Mort Sahl, Jeanette Maus, and many others.
 
RELATED ARTICLES
How did MC Black die? 20-yr-old rapper's body found at sea with signs of torture

How did Chris Pearson die? Ex on the Beach star's last post read: 'Forget the haters'

Who is Stephen Sondheim’s partner?

Stephen Sondheim’s partner has been identified as Jeffrey Scott Romley who also goes by the name of Jeff Romley. Sondheim’s partner is an actor and singer who was born to a Jewish family in New York City. According to multiple reports, he earlier worked for a Broadway/West End theatre and produced several shows including ‘The Producers’, ‘Hairspray’, ‘Porgy & Bess’, ‘Sweeney Todd’, and ‘Company’. It is being reported that Jeff is currently 41 making a gap of 50 years between the two.
 
Stephen Sondheim made his name in the world of theater after he challenged his audiences with complex lyrics and difficult adult themes. The famous Broadway house in New York City earlier called Henry Miller's Theater was later renamed to honor the legend. Sondheim’s body of work also earned him an award at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993. While social media users rushed to pay their condolences, Hollywood star Hugh Jackman too took to Twitter saying, “Every so often someone comes along that fundamentally shifts an entire art form. Stephen Sondheim was one of those. As millions mourn his passing I also want to express my gratitude for all he has given to me and so many more. Sending my love to his nearest and dearest.” Stephen Sondheim’s music was recently featured in movies like ‘Knives Out’, ‘Joker’ and ‘Marriage Story’.

‘Can’t conjure up a single sentence about him’

Social media users said their final goodbyes to Sondheim on Twitter where one of them shared, “Break, heart. The one and only, the lyrical and legendary Stephen Sondheim was 91 years old. Condolences to Jeff Romley and to Mr. Sondheim’s loved ones — and a worldful of us who loved him.” Another posted, “So, has anyone checked in to see if Jeff Romley is okay?” One said, “Master. Legend. Icon. I was so privileged to join in 2 standing ovations last week at the opening of Company on Broadway. Gratitude for the endless inspiration he provided to generations. He changed the world.”
 
The next one posted, “What an honor it was to be alive at the same time as Stephen Sondheim.” Meanwhile, one user added, “Can’t conjure up a single sentence about him that hasn’t been said better already but goddamn how lucky we all are to have lived in a world with Stephen Sondheim.” And, one concluded, “Stephen Sondheim has been receiving lifetime tributes since around 1973 and still it feels like we’ll always find something else to celebrate about him. Devastating.”