Josh Grisetti, the actor known to television audiences for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and to theater fans for a string of Broadway roles, died at the age of 44, and his cause of death has now been confirmed six days after his passing.
Grisetti’s death was first shared Sunday by his friend and fellow performer Rob McClure, who said the entertainer died by suicide the previous Friday. Grisetti had also appeared on Broadway in productions including Something Rotten! and It Shoulda Been You.
According to a report from California’s Orange County Sheriff’s Department obtained by Daily Mail, the actor died from a gunshot wound.
The autopsy report listed associated injuries as “multiple bilateral temporal calvarial fractures and a brain injury.”
The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for additional comment.
In his emotional announcement Sunday, McClure wrote: “It is with a shattered heart that I share that the brilliant Josh Grisetti took his own life on Friday.”
Josh Grisetti, who appeared in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, died at 44, with his cause of death confirmed six days later
Grisetti, pictured left, portrayed Ralph Emerson across eight episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
‘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 said that ‘communities around the world will never be the same without him,’ calling Grisetti’s passing ‘a cataclysmic loss.’
He continued, ‘Some of my all-time favorite memories were by this man’s side, playing his brother onstage for years, watching him inspire students while transforming the Musical Theatre program at Cal State Fullerton… and having the honor of being the Best Man at his wedding.’
Grisetti’s representative Rick Ferrari told the Daily Mail Monday the late actor was ‘a tremendous talent’ who ‘shared his gift with everyone who wanted it.’
He added: ‘His students at Cal State Fullerton, theater program, cherished him … we are stunned and heartbroken.’
McClure added that he and his spouse were ‘beyond heartbroken,’ adding that details about a memorial would be released in time.
Grisetti played the role of Ralph Emerson over eight episodes of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel in 2023.
The Washington, DC-born creative also appeared on TV shows such as The Knights of Prosperity, Nurse Jackie and The Good Fight.
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel actor Josh Grisetti died by suicide aged 44 on Friday
In what was his last post on Instagram, the beloved creative thanked the cast of Legally Blonde: The Musical for a tribute they did for him after he left the production
Grisetti had been seen 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.
Grisetti, who resided in Southern California at the time of his death, lived in Virginia growing up and was educated at North Carolina School of the Arts and the Boston Conservatory.
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.’
Grisetti performing Something Rotten in NYC in August 2016
The multitalented entertainer leaves behind a legacy on Broadway, in TV and film, and in education
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.
Donna Murphy said news of Grisetti’s passing was ‘truly devastating & heartbreaking,’ calling him ‘a beautiful, gifted human & artist.’
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.”
Grisetti’s friend and colleague, Rob McClure, announced his death on Sunday
Sierra Boggess, who worked with Grisetti on It Shoulda Been You, paid tribute to the actor
Erika Henningsen, who worked with Grisetti on the musical Diner, also spoke out
Erika Henningsen, who worked with Grisetti on the musical Diner, wrote, ‘Oh Josh. I just loved you. I wish you were still here. Thank you for changing my life. For making me believe in myself. I know you did the same for so many others.
‘My heart is deeply with your loved ones and also students today. They were lucky to have known you and been led by you: your wit, your curiosity, and your indefatigable insistence that what we do as actors matters. I hope you know you mattered. So very, very much.’
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.
