Irish-born film producer Adams dies

Tony Adams, a producer of many of the films of director Blake Edwards, including six Pink Panther movies, has died of a stroke. He was 52.

Adams died on Saturday at Beth Israel Hospital in New York, said Peter Cromarty, a spokesman for the producer.

Adams was a partner in Hello Entertainment, a theatre producing company, which develops and produces Broadway shows.

Born in Dublin, Adams started in films as an assistant to director John Boorman on Deliverance (1972) and later went to work for Edwards as an associate producer on The Return of the Pink Panther (1975).

Among the other Pink Panther movies he produced or co-produced were The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978), Trail of the Pink Panther (1982), Curse of the Pink Panther (1983) and Son of the Pink Panther (1993).

Adams also worked on several films starring Edwards’ wife, Julie Andrews, including 10, S.O.B (1981), The Man Who Loved Women (1983) and That’s Life! (1986). He also produced Julie, a short-lived television series, starring Andrews, in 1992.

In 1995, Adams co-produced the stage version of Victor/Victoria, starring Andrews and Tony Roberts on Broadway. The musical ran for over 700 performances.

He is survived by his third wife, actress Anne Runolfsson, and four children.

“His passing is a great loss to the film and stage Industry worldwide,” said Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue. “I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Tony’s wife Anne and his family.”