X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Tom Hanks, Rachel Bloom, and More Stars Pay Tribute to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Songwriter Adam Schlesinger

He passed away at 52 due to coronavirus complications

instg.png
Lindsay MacDonald

Hollywood was devastated Wednesday when news came that prolific singer-songwriter Adam Schlesinger passed away due to coronavirus complications. The artist, who was 52, was a songwriter on The CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriendand co-founder of rock group Fountains of Wayne, known for its hit, "Stacy's Mom." Schlessinger was also the songwriter behind many of your favorite movies. He penned the eponymous song from That Thing You Do, contributed to the Josie and the Pussycats soundtrack, as well as wrote the opening pop number for Music & Lyrics.

Messages of love and praise poured out over social media, celebrating the artist beloved by so many. Tom Hanks, who wrote and directed That Thing You Do and just overcame his own encounter with the novel coronavirus tweeted out his condolences about Schlesinger's 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."

That Thing You Do star Ethan Embry also tweeted about Schlesinger's game-changing contribution to the film. "I remember the day all the Oneders, @LivTyler and @tomhanks sat in a room and played about 6 submitted tracks from different bands for That Thing You Do. When we heard Adam Schlesinger's cassette it was instantly clear which track we would need to learn," he wrote.

Rachel Bloom has been tweeting messages of heartbreak over the loss of her Crazy Ex-Girlfriend collaborator, calling him "irreplaceable" before sharing a video of him working on the lyrics for the Season 3 song "I Go to the Zoo (Explicit)."

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend co-creator Aline Brosh-McKenna wrote a touching tribute to Schlesinger, saying, "Adam was so funny, so kind, so opinionated, so clever, so passionate. We worked together and agreed and disagreed and rejoiced and bemoaned and celebrated and it felt extra sweet for me because l'd known him so long. I love that guy. I love all the memories." She also shared audio of one of the demos he wrote for the show, and followed it with a sweet video, posted to her Instagram, of Schlesinger and Bloom rehearsing a performance of the Fountains of Wayne classic "Stacy's Mom."

Jimmy Kimmel, who worked with Schlesinger on Crank Yankers, wrote, "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."

Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote, "This is so heartbreaking. What a talent, what a loss. Sending all the love to his family, loved ones, Bloom and the entire Crazy Ex-Girlfriend extended family."

Darren Criss also shared a mournful message about the news, tweeting, "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..."

Jack Antonoff wrote a beautiful message on Twitter, saying, "Adam Schlesinger took pop music writing to its classiest and most untouchable place. an honor to live at the same time he made his work."

Elijah Wood tweeted, "Ugh. Heartbreaking to hear about Adam Schlesinger having passed. Such a brilliant songwriter."

Chris Carrabba tweeted from the Dashboard Confessional account, "I am grasping for the right words. My dear friend Adam Schlesinger has passed away from COVID-19. You know him best through his music. From his band @fountainsofwayn to the countless movies and tv shows he scored, most recently My Crazy Ex Girlfriend (cont'd). and most famously That Thing You Do. I knew him best as a mentor, and a friend. We must take this seriously. People are sick and dying. It is hard to stay locked indoors but lives will be saved. Take care of each other. Rest In Peace, my dear friend. -Chris."


Read on more celebs reactions to the sad news of Schlesinger's passing.