Fountains of Wayne‘s Adam Schlesinger has died of coronavirus complications.
He was 52 years old.
Variety report that the musician, who won an Emmy for his work on Crazy Ex Girlfriend, passed away on Wednesday morning.
Mr. Schlesinger’s lawyer previously told the publication that the father-of-two was “very sick and heavily sedated” and was being treated in a hospital in upstate New York for the last week.
Tom Hanks and Rachel Bloom led tributes to Mr. Schlesinger following the news of his passing.
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
Hanks, who worked with him on 1996’s That Thing You Do!, said: “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.”
I have so much to say about Adam Schlesinger that I am at a complete loss for words. He is irreplaceable.
— Rachel Bloom (@Racheldoesstuff) April 2, 2020
Crazy Ex Girlfriend’s Rachel Bloom, who co-wrote some of the songs for the series with Mr. Schlesinger, said that she was at a “complete loss for words” in her tribute to the “irreplaceable” musician.
You can read more tributes below.
I am very sorry to hear the terrible news about Adam Schlesinger. I had the pleasure of working with Adam when he wrote the theme to Crank Yankers. He was a kind and super-talented man who will be missed. Sending love to his family, friends and fans.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 1, 2020
For those of you who know my life as a songwriter- Adam Schlesinger’s career was always a big source of inspiration for me. He had a lyrical cheekiness that was only matched by his expert understanding of form, and was always able to fuse the two in a really fun, accessible way..
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) April 1, 2020
RIP Adam Schlesinger (Fountains of Wayne), fine singer, witty and satiric songwriter. How terrible to lose him at 52 to this virus.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) April 2, 2020
Adam Schlesinger was one talented man and the world will be a less tuneful place without him. I wrote a few songs with him when I was living in New York and he had a brilliant gift for melody. ♥️Love and healing to his family #AdamSchlesinger pic.twitter.com/EPBaIj6J4r
— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) April 1, 2020
I’m so saddened to hear of the death of Adam Schlesinger due to Covid19. From the Dana Carvey show to A Colbert Christmas Special, he was a great (and patient) and talented artist with whom it was my good luck to work. Peace.
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) April 2, 2020