Pamela Blair, an Emmy-nominated actress and singer who notably appeared in the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line," has died at the age of 73, her representative confirmed.
Blair's representative and agent, Dani Green, sent a statement to different news outlets and media publications to confirm the singer-actress's death, including USA Today. Meanwhile, Deadline first reported the news regarding her passing, citing posts shared by her friends on social media.
Pamela Blair Dead at 73
According to Green, Blair - who made her stage debut in "Promises, Promises" in 1968 - died at her Phoenix home Sunday after her long battle with an illness.
Her "A Chorus Line" co-star Baayork Lee also issued a separate statement to Fox News Digital to share the saddening news and pay tribute to the singer-actress.
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"She had been ill for a while and always kept her spirits up and, most of all her wicked sense of humor that she displayed in her monologue as Val in the show," Lee said, expressing how devastated the industry is following the loss of another original cast member. "May she rest in peace and dance among the stars with all her ACL colleagues that have left us."
We are saddened to hear that Pamela Blair, the original "Val" in A Chorus Line, has passed away. The character was loosely based on her own life, and she was a part of the musical from the very first workshop. 🫶 Our thoughts are with her loved ones and fans.
— Marvin Hamlisch (@marvinhamlisch) July 24, 2023
📸: Photofest pic.twitter.com/9KiiZMItuT
The statements did not disclose Pamela Blair's exact cause of death, but more colleagues and fans opened up about their heartbreaks after her death.
Original composer of "A Chorus Line" Marvin Hamlisch took to Twitter to bid goodbye to the musical's "original Val," reminiscing her massive part in the show from its very first workshop.
Pamela Blair's Career, Legacy
Pamela Blair - born in Bennington, Vermont - marked the beginning of her lengthy career through her Broadway debut in the 1968 musical before landing a spot in the shows "Sugar" and "Seesaw." She soon expanded her empire and became known for playing the only female role in "Of Mice and Men" in 1974 by portraying Curley's wife.
Out of all her characters, she famously starred as Valerie "Val" Clarke in "A Chorus Line" since the workshop started in 1974.
She went on to star in more plays and Broadway productions, including "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "A Few Good Men," "The Nerd," "King of Hearts," and "All My Children," among others. Blair received nominations for Daytime Emmy Award and Drama Desk Award decades prior to her passing.
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