Emmy and Grammy-winning musician and songwriter Adam Schlesinger, famous for his work with his band Fountains of Wayne and the TV show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, died yesterday after contracting the coronavirus.
His lawyer, Josh Grier, told Associated Press that he had been sedated and on a ventilator for several days. There was no word on where Schlesinger was thought to have contracted the virus.
Schlesinger was a prolific songwriter who during the course of his career won three Emmys, a Grammy, and was nominated for Oscar, Tony and Golden Globe Awards. His Oscar nomination was for writing the title song to the 1997 Tom Hanks-directed movie That Thing You Do.
From Lloyd Cole, Barenaked Ladies, to Stephen King, Stephen Colbert, Elijah Wood, Kathy Griffin, Fran Drescher, and many more, the tributes have been pouring in for the tragic loss of such a great talent to the industry. Tom Hanks was one of the first stars to pay tribute upon hearing the news saying,“ There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger, without his That Thing You Do! He was a One-der. Lost him to COVID-19. Terribly sad today.”
There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger, without his That Thing You Do! He was a One-der. Lost him to Covid-19. Terribly sad today. Hanx
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) April 2, 2020
His wife Rita Wilson paid tribute too, reminding the world of his incredible talent, "I am so saddened by the news of the passing of songwriter Adam Schlesinger from COVID 19. Adam wrote the song THAT THING YOU DO. He had extraordinary musical talent. His loss is deeply felt."
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were the first celebrities to be diagnosed with the coronavirus while filming the Baz Luhrmann-directed Elvis Presley biopic on location in Australia. They have since recovered and recently returned to their home in Los Angles.
Adam Schlesinger was divorced and had two daughters. May you RIP Adam.
