Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger, an Emmy-winning songwriter for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, dies of coronavirus complications at age 52

Variety

Schlesinger, who died this morning, was nominated for Oscars, Tonys, Grammys and Emmys, winning the latter two awards. Schlesinger was nominated for nine Emmys, including five for his songwriting work on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Last year, he shared an Emmy for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics with Rachel Bloom and Jack Dolgen for the song "Anti-Depressants Are So Not a Big Deal." Schlesinger was also an Emmy nominee for 2008's A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! and Sesame Street. He also won two Emmys, shared with David Javerbaum, for his work on the 65th and 66th Tony Awards. Schlesinger died on the same day that co-Emmy winner Bloom announced the birth of her first child. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend co-creator Aline Brosh McKenna posted a tribute to Schlesinger, who was her husband's roommate in the 1990s, on Twitter. "Adam wrote or co-wrote 157 songs with Rachel and Jack over 4 seasons," McKenna wrote in a statement posted to Twitter He worked with every single cast member. He also produced every single song made, with his producing partner and dear friend Steven Gold. 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 I'd known him so long." Jimmy Kimmel also paid tribute, tweeting: "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." Stephen Colbert tweeted: "I’m so saddened to hear of the death of Adam Schlesinger due to Covid19. From the Dana Carvey show to A Colbert Christmas Special, he was a great (and patient) and talented artist with whom it was my good luck to work. Peace." UPDATE: Rachel Bloom posted on Instagram: "I have so much to say about Adam Schlesinger that I am at a complete loss for words. He is irreplaceable."