William Finn, the renowned lyricist and composer, has passed away at the age of 73 on April 7, 2025, due to pulmonary fibrosis, as reported by The New York Times. His longtime partner, Arthur Salvador, confirmed the news. Finn was a groundbreaking force in musical theater, known for his intricate and witty lyrics, as well as his exploration of complex characters.
Born in 1952 in Boston, Finn’s love for theater began early. In an interview with Tablet, he reminisced about writing his first play as a Hebrew school project, admitting that it was “horrible” as he didn’t really understand the language or the craft at that time. However, this early venture marked the start of a prolific career in the theater world.
Finn’s most iconic works include the musicals In Trousers, March of the Falsettos, and Falsettoland, which all centered around the character Marvin, a man navigating his relationships, sexuality, and family dynamics. These works were first staged at Playwright Horizons and were later brought to Broadway in 1992, where they were combined into one production. March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland went on to win two Tony Awards, including Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, which Finn co-wrote with James Lapine.
Aside from his celebrated Falsettos series, Finn also earned recognition for works such as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A New Brain, and a musical adaptation of Little Miss Sunshine. His contributions to musical theater have left a lasting legacy, influencing generations of theater artists and audiences.
Finn is survived by his partner, Arthur Salvador, his sister Nancy Davis, his brother Michael, as well as nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. His death marks the loss of a brilliant and beloved figure in the world of musical theater.
