Tom Hanks and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” co-creators Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna were among the many who paid tribute to the CW musical dramedy’s songwriter (and Fountains of Wayne co-founder) Adam Schlesinger after his death Wednesday at 52 from coronavirus symptoms.
Schlesinger, who earned an Oscar nomination for co-writing the title song from Hanks’ directorial debut “That Thing You Do!” earned high praise from the actor-director, who himself has been recovering from COVID-19. “There would be no Playtone without Adam Schlesinger, without his That Thing You Do!” Hanks tweeted. “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,” Bloom tweeted.
“Adam was so funny, so kind, so opinionated, so clever, so passionate,” she wrote, remembering the Fountains of Wayne frontman as a colleague and as a longtime friend. “We worked together and agreed and disagreed and rejoiced and bemoaned and celebrated and it felt extra sweet for me because I’d known him so long … I’m devastated for his family, his kids, for Alexis, for Steven, for his CXG family, for the many, many who loved him.”
Schlesinger, the bassist-songwriter from the rock band Fountains of Wayne and songwriter for “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” died Wednesday due to complications from COVID-19. The musician had been hospitalized due to the virus since last week and was being kept on a ventilator. His death was confirmed by his lawyer Wednesday afternoon.
An accomplished musician in a variety of formats, Schlesinger had earned three Emmy Awards for his work on the CW musical dramedy. He most recently won the award for Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics for the Season 4 song “Antidepressants Are So Not A Big Deal” and picked up another nomination for the show’s main title theme.
Adam’s cousin, actor Jon Bernthal, paid tribute and thanked first responders. A number of other celebrities who worked with Schlesinger throughout his career remembered the musician on social media, including Kathy Griffin, Ken Jeong and Jimmy Kimmel. Other tributes also poured in from Schlesinger’s fans and admirers. See a few of the reactions below:
Rest cuz. We love you. Stay home, We’re in this together. Our power is immense when connected, it is vital now. Necessary. Anyone in office, anybody with a family anybody with a voice, if your not telling people to stay put, blood is on your hands. Bless those on the front line. pic.twitter.com/AU8QWp2ZN7
— Jon Bernthal (@jonnybernthal) April 3, 2020
2/2 pic.twitter.com/SlmWL8RJl2
— Aline Brosh McKenna (@alinebmckenna) April 1, 2020
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
https://twitter.com/Racheldoesstuff/status/1245543064900259845?s=20
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
Was honored to work with Adam Schlesinger on the Billboard Music Awards. A true legend and gentleman. My sincere condolences go to his family at this difficult time. ❤️?
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) April 1, 2020
Oh god. Adam Schlesinger was wildly talented. He graciously wrote the theme song to my “KATHY” talk show called “I’ll say it” He was so patient with me as I was recording it in the booth, guiding me at every step. He did the gig as a favor, in a little home studio on a Saturday? https://t.co/SpTdcoBIco
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) April 1, 2020
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.
— jackantonoff (@jackantonoff) 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
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1245497710347608064
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-dPnjAldPJ/?igshid=1hoa29to13uzr