Legendary Hairspray producer dies aged 49 after brief cancer battle

Legendary Broadway producer Adam Epstein has died at the age of 49 following a brief battle with cancer. 

Epstein had won a Tony Award for producing Hairspray before the age of 30 and received other nominations for his work on revivals of Amadeus and The Crucible. 

His family said that he had passed away on Tuesday at Adventist Health hospital in Glendale, California. 

His brother Brett posted on Facebook saying that it was with the 'heaviest of hearts' that he announced his brother had died. 

His brother added that Epstein died after 'a very short yet incredibly grueling battle with a brain tumor'.  

His family said that Epstein, seen here, passed away on Tuesday at Adventist Health hospital in Glendale, California

Epstein had won a Tony Award for producing Hairspray before the age of 30 and received other nominations for his work on revivals of Amadeus and The Crucible

In his heartbreaking post, his brother  said: 'It's with profound sadness and the heaviest of hearts that I announce the passing of my beloved brother and best friend Adam Epstein. 

'Adam who would have been 50 on September 7th, tragically lost a very short yet incredibly grueling battle with a brain tumor (Gliosarcoma). 

'My entire family is devastated and in shock from his loss. A large part of me died yesterday as well after he passed and I cannot imagine a world where I am living in it without him. 

'I will somehow have to manage to move forward. Adam, I am so honored to have been able to call you my brother. 

'There will never ever be another like you. You were a dynamo, a star, a true one of a kind.I will miss you forever and I would not be who I am today had I not had you in my life. 

'You were an amazing brother to our younger sister Logan Epstein as well as an exceptional brother-in-law to my wife Natalie Epstein.

'I am so grateful that Hazel and Oliver got to know their "Uncle Addy" and I pledge to you that Sophie and baby Lucy will know what an incredible person and spirit you were as well. 

'My heart breaks for my parents as no parent should ever lose a child, no matter what age. 

'Mom and Dad, while I am now your only son here on earth, Adam is forever with you through me, my children, and in all of our hearts and memories. Adam, I love you.'

In just ten years his productions saw him pick up 12 Tony Awards and 46 nominations.

Epstein and Marc Shaiman during Hairspray Opening Night Los Angeles - After Party at Henry Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, California

According to an obituary in the Hollywood Reporter, Epstein started out on Broadway as an intern before serving as a production associate.

In 1998 he produced the Tony-winning revival of Arthur Miller's 'A View from the Bridge' and then 'Amadeus' in 1999, starring Michael Sheen. 

In 2002 he worked alongside Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in 'The Crucible' before adapting John Waters 1988 film Hairspray for the stage, which became a sensation.

In just ten years his productions saw him pick up 12 Tony Awards and 46 nominations.  

Jerry Mitchell, two-time Tony-winning choreographer, told the outlet: 'Adam was the youngest producer I had ever worked with when we met on Hairspray.

'I will always be grateful for his support and encouragement and care for all of us.'

While Waters told the outlet: 'Who as a little boy wants to grow up to be a producer? Well, Adam did. 

In 2002 he worked alongside Liam Neeson and Laura Linney in 'The Crucible' before adapting John Waters 1988 film Hairspray for the stage, seen here, which became a sensation

'That’s what gives him such tremendous confidence. He’s always known what he wanted to do.

Together, Adam and I had a hit, Hairspray, and a flop, Cry-Baby, and his enthusiasm for each was exactly the same. A cheerleader for his productions like no other.'

In recent years he earned a master's degree in American Studies and launched a TV career as a political pundit on Fox News. His liberal voice saw him spar with right-wing commentators. 

He is survived by his parents Bonnie and Marc, brother Brett, sister Logan and nieces Hazel, Sophie and Lucy, as well as his nephew Oliver.

A funeral service is set to take place on Sunday at the Levitt-Weinstein-Blasberg, Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapels in North Miami Beach, followed by interment at Mount Nebo in Miami.