Obituary: Albert Hague, 81, a Composer and Actor

By Douglas Martin  Nov. 15, 2001

Albert Hague, a popular composer whose work included his Tony award-winning score for the 1959 musical ''Redhead,'' the much-recorded standard ''Young and Foolish'' and the soundtrack for last year's film ''How the Grinch Stole Christmas,'' died on Monday at a hospital in Marina del Rey, Calif., where he lived. He was 81.

Mr. Hague was perhaps best known for his role in the movie and television series ''Fame,'' in which he played the white-bearded, bespectacled, irascible music teacher. The film's director, Alan Parker, had wanted a real musician to play the part. The film came out in 1980, and the television show ran from 1982-1987 on NBC and in syndication.

Mr. Hague insisted he had always been an actor, however much he had seemed to be totally immersed in music. With the humor he and his wife, Renee Orin, honed into a popular cabaret act in their later years, he explained, ''I was out of work for 59 years.''

His song ''Young and Foolish'' for the 1955 musical ''Plain and Fancy,'' was another large claim to celebrity. It was recorded by Tony Bennett, the McGuire Sisters and Nancy Wilson, among many others. His Tony for the score of ''Redhead'' was one of six for the murder-mystery musical, which starred Gwen Verdon and was directed by Bob Fosse.