Josh Grisetti, an actor known for his work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the Broadway stage, died Friday by suicide. He was 44.
His friend and fellow performer Rob McClure shared the news Sunday, paying tribute to Grisetti, whose stage credits included Broadway productions such as Something Rotten! and It Shoulda Been You.
‘It is with a shattered heart that I share that the brilliant Josh Grisetti took his own life on Friday,’ McClure wrote on Instagram. ‘I’m not ready to even attempt to understand. My heart is with his wife and family as they try to deal with the reality of this.’
McClure described Grisetti’s death as ‘a cataclysmic loss,’ adding that ‘communities around the world will never be the same without him.’
He said he and his spouse were ‘beyond heartbroken’ and noted that information about a memorial service would be shared at a later time.
Grisetti appeared as Ralph Emerson in eight episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in 2023.
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel actor Josh Grisetti died Friday by suicide at age 44
In his final Instagram post, the beloved performer thanked the cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical for honoring him after his departure from the production
The Washington, D.C.-born creative also appeared on TV shows such as The Knights of Prosperity, Nurse Jackie and The Good Fight.
Grisetti had also appeared in Broadway productions such as Broadway Bound, Camelot in concert, with Off-Broadway credits in Rent, Enter Laughing, Candida, After the Ball and Red Eye of Love.
His film credits included motion pictures such as The Namesake, The Immigrant and Revolutionary Road.
Grisetti was also an educator, as he led California State University, Fullerton’s Musical Theatre program after prior stints at Southern California schools such as Loyola Marymount University and Fullerton College.
In what was his last post on Instagram, the beloved performer thanked the cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical, which he was directing at the Trentino Music Festival in Italy, for a tribute they did for him as he alluded to departing the production ‘for personal reasons.’
He said, ‘When you have to leave a production for personal reasons before getting to see the show open, and the cast and team do stuff like this…
‘Literally cried on the plane… little gestures go a long way when your heart is hurting… Love this group of misfits right back!! Happy opening, Legally Blonde… I’m so proud of you all.’
Grisetti was warmly remembered by a number of his peers on Broadway in the wake of his passing.
Donna Murphy said news of Grisetti’s passing was ‘truly devastating & heartbreaking,’ calling him ‘a beautiful, gifted human & artist.’
Josh Grisetti seen performing Something Rotten in NYC in August of 2016
The multitalented entertainer, pictured in NYC in 2016, leaves behind a legacy on Broadway, in TV and film, and in education
Grisetti was remembered as kind and talented by peers and fans
Grisetti’s friend and colleague Rob McClure on Sunday announced the tragic news about the entertainer
Sierra Boggess, who worked with Grisetti on It Shoulda Been You, paid memorial to the actor
Grisetti (L) played the role of Ralph Emerson over eight episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Sierra Boggess, who worked with Grisetti on It Shoulda Been You, called her late friend ‘a BRILLIANT actor and director and writer.’
She added, ‘You have left such a space in all the lives of everyone who knows you and loves you.
‘We will have more details on celebration of life but for now, we love you Josh. If ‘whatever’ means ‘we love you’ then ‘I’ll take whatever, whenever with you.”
Ariana Debose wrote, ‘My sincerest sympathies’ with a brokenhearted emoji, adding, ‘sending so much love and care to his nearest and dearest.’
Grisetti is survived by his wife Mackenzie, who he was wed to for six years.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org.
