Don McKay, who sang and danced as Tony in West Side Story in the '50s, died December 25 in Manhattan at 93.
Don McKay: January 28, 1925-December 27, 2018 with George Chakiris (Image via production still)
THR reports the performer — who in 1957 appeared in the backers' auditions for West Side Story before it hit Broadway and went on to appear in the London show for three years — was first reported to have died by the Paley Center for Media. NWI Times confirms the WWII veteran died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
McKay was closely associated with West Side Story, going on to appear in the Tokyo production and a 1964 NYC revival, and recently granting an interview in which he discussed the show's original version, in which Tony survives.
Alas, George Chakiris (b. 1934) would go on to play the part in the 1961 film — for which he won the Oscar.
Other credits include Make a Wish (1951, Broadway), Top Banana (1951), Show Boat (1959, London) and On the Town (1963, London). He was also sang with Judy Garland (1922-1969) in the "Gotta Have Me Go With You" number of A Star Is Born (1954).
McKay is survived by his life partner Jessie Dunston, and his sister.
