Ann Crumb, Tony-Nominated Actress, Dead at Age 69

Ann Crumb, a singer and Tony-nominated actress, died at the age of 69 from cancer.

Published: 11/1/2019, 6:00:42 PM EDT

Ann Crumb, Tony-Nominated Actress, Dead at Age 69 — Ann Crumb in "Aspects of Love," takes a curtain call at opening night in New York, April 9, 1990. (AP Photo/Ed Bailey)

Ann Crumb, a singer and Tony-nominated actress, had died at the age of 69 from cancer on Oct. 31, according to multiple reports.

Bill Schuman, the late actress's vocal coach said that Crumb suffered from ovarian cancer and passed away in her parent's house in Media, Pennsylvania, USA Today reported. According to the Hollywood reporter, she was surrounded by her friends and family at the time of her death. The media outlet reported that Crumb had been battling cancer for four and a half years.

Schuman said in a statement that Crumb possessed a unique and rare vocal talent. In the reporting by Hollywood Reporter, Schuman stated that she could "go from the highest Broadway belts to beautiful legitimate operatic headtones," and her talent was the reason why "so many composers sought her out."

She was known for her role in Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina", which was created by Daniel Levine and Peter Kellogg, and according to Fox News, when it was released in 1992, it ran for 18 previews and 46 performances. This was the role that got her the Tony nomination, according to the news outlet.

And in 1995, she starred in a role opposite John Collum in "Man of La Mancha" during a U.S. tour, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Crumb made her debut in "Les Miserables" back in 1987, among the original cast. In 1989, she starred in "Aspects of Love," which she played opposite Michael Ball, according to USA Today.

Crumb was the daughter of George Crumb, the 1968 Pulitzer Prize winning composer.

She studied violin at the University of Michigan for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees, according to the New York Times. However, when she injured her right arm after falling off a horse, her violin career dreams ended and she switched to studying clinical medicine.

While she was pursuing her clinical medicine career, Crumb acted and sang on the side, according to the Hollywood Reporter. It was when she took a job in the national tour of "El Grande de Coca Cola" her career in theater was born.

Later, Crumb made some television appearances in the television shows "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and "One Life to Live." In addition, she was a notable classical and jazz singer.