Duncan Sheik has died at the age of 56.
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The news comes after reports that the Grammy nominee had been hospitalized and in "critical but stable" condition. PEOPLE reported that the "Barely Breathing" singer died on Thursday, Sep. 17, in Manhattan.
What Was the Cause of Death for Duncan Sheik?
Sheik's cause of death was reportedly heart failure leading to cardiac arrest. The news comes days before previews of his Off-Broadway musical, an adaptation of the magna Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, begin on Sep. 25, and amid news of a new production of the hit musical Spring Awakening, which he wrote with Steven Sater.
"It is with profound sadness that we confirm the passing of Duncan Sheik," said a spokesperson for songwriter. "The world has lost a singular talent and deeply influential voice in music and theater. From his Grammy-nominated hit 'Barely Breathing' to his groundbreaking, Tony and Grammy Award-winning work on Spring Awakening, Duncan's artistry touched many and leaves an indelible mark on the cultural landscape."
They added, "Duncan was a father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He will be remembered for his sensitivity, wit, intelligence, and depth of spirit he brought to those who knew and loved him. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love from his fans, friends, collaborators, and the artistic community. His musical legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. Duncan passed away last night, surrounded by love."
Sheik Found Broadway Success After Pop Music
Sheik was born in Montclair, N.J., in 1969 and raised in South Carolina by his mother after his parents divorced. But it was his grandmother who sparked his interest in music.
Sheik graduated from Brown in 1992 and moved to Los Angeles. Four years later, he released his self-titled debut, an autobiographical collection of songs about the emotional torture of unrequited love.
The lead single from the record, "Barely Breathing," was seemingly inescapable in 1996 and stayed on the charts for over a year. The song was nominated for the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
The songwriter released several well-received albums through the 1990s and 2000s, but they never reached the heights of his debut.
But his fortunes changed with the opening of Spring Awakening. Debuting on Broadway in 2006, Sheik wrote the rock score for the musical about teenagers navigating the turmoil of their sexuality. Starring future stars Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff, it won numerous Tony Awards and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.
Sheik continued both writing musicals and solo albums. He wrote the music and lyrics for a theatrical adaptation of the grisly novel American Psycho, which premiered in London in 2013, and the upcoming Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen. His last solo album, Claptrap, came out in 2022.
Sheik is survived by his wife, Nora Ariffin, and his daughter Ines.
