Frank Galati, actor, director, teacher and adapter who was a central figure in Chicago’s theater community and a two-time Tony award winner, died Monday, according to the Steppenwolf Theatre. He was 79 years old.
Mr. Galati won a Tony double in 1990 — best play and best director — for his adaptation and direction of the Steppenwolf production of Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, with Gary Sinise as Tom Joad. He was also nominated for directing the famous musical Ragtime from 1998.
His screenplay work includes Traveler in spite of himselffor which he was nominated for an Oscar.
Mr. Galati became an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theater in 1985 and associate director of the Goodman Theater a year later. He remained in this position until 2008.