It is with heavy hearts we report the sad news
A Life in Craft
John Cunningham, the respected character actor whose
career spanned nearly seven decades across stage and screen, has died at 93.
He passed away at his home in Rye, New York, ending a career defined by
discipline and devotion rather than celebrity.
Theater at the Center
A self-described “working actor’s actor,” Cunningham appeared in 15 Broadway productions,
including Company, Cabaret, and Six Degrees of Separation.
Reflecting on his craft, he once said, “In theater you get to do it again,
and again, and again… Be prepared to be alive.”
Film and Television Presence
Audiences remember him from Mystic Pizza and Dead Poets Society,
as well as frequent roles on Law & Order. The New York Times famously
called him “ever-reliable and ever-employed.”
Legacy Beyond Fame
Cunningham valued community and mentorship, co-founding arts programs in Rye.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Carolyn, and
their family—leaving behind quiet admiration rather than spotlight.
