Harry Haun: The Tireless Chronicler of Broadway's Magic
With the passing of Harry Haun at 85, the theater world has lost a giant. For over five decades, Haun chronicled the magic of Broadway with wit and wonder, leaving an indelible mark on the industry he loved. As a writer for various publications, including The Observer, Playbill, and The New York Daily News, Haun's encyclopedic knowledge, quick wit, and generosity of spirit earned him a reputation as one of the most respected voices in arts journalism.
Haun's fascination with theater began early, and he spent years honing his craft, covering it all – from film to stage. His books, including "The Movie Quote Book" and "The Cinematic Century," showcased his vast knowledge and wit. At Playbill, Haun wrote for 37 years, producing columns that remain iconic among theater enthusiasts.
Industry insiders praised Haun's journalistic integrity, collaboration, and dedication to new voices. He championed the overlooked and underestimated, often forging connections with artists and publicists that went beyond mere interviews. His work gave exposure to remarkable individuals, from Jessica Chastain to Lynne Meadow.
Throughout his career, Haun remained fiercely passionate about theater, which he described as "angel food cake – the nearest thing to heaven we have in New York." This love was evident in every article, review, and conversation, earning him a special place among the theater community.
In recognition of his contributions, the Outer Critics Circle awarded Haun a Special Achievement Award in 2024. Despite health challenges, he continued writing for The Observer and remained a beloved presence at theaters across the city.
As we bid farewell to Harry Haun, we remember his boundless enthusiasm, remarkable talent, and enduring legacy. His work will continue to inspire and delight theater enthusiasts for years to come.
With the passing of Harry Haun at 85, the theater world has lost a giant. For over five decades, Haun chronicled the magic of Broadway with wit and wonder, leaving an indelible mark on the industry he loved. As a writer for various publications, including The Observer, Playbill, and The New York Daily News, Haun's encyclopedic knowledge, quick wit, and generosity of spirit earned him a reputation as one of the most respected voices in arts journalism.
Haun's fascination with theater began early, and he spent years honing his craft, covering it all – from film to stage. His books, including "The Movie Quote Book" and "The Cinematic Century," showcased his vast knowledge and wit. At Playbill, Haun wrote for 37 years, producing columns that remain iconic among theater enthusiasts.
Industry insiders praised Haun's journalistic integrity, collaboration, and dedication to new voices. He championed the overlooked and underestimated, often forging connections with artists and publicists that went beyond mere interviews. His work gave exposure to remarkable individuals, from Jessica Chastain to Lynne Meadow.
Throughout his career, Haun remained fiercely passionate about theater, which he described as "angel food cake – the nearest thing to heaven we have in New York." This love was evident in every article, review, and conversation, earning him a special place among the theater community.
In recognition of his contributions, the Outer Critics Circle awarded Haun a Special Achievement Award in 2024. Despite health challenges, he continued writing for The Observer and remained a beloved presence at theaters across the city.
As we bid farewell to Harry Haun, we remember his boundless enthusiasm, remarkable talent, and enduring legacy. His work will continue to inspire and delight theater enthusiasts for years to come.
he was such an iconic figure in the theatre world, always so full of life and energy 
i loved how he championed new voices and artists, giving them a platform to shine 
his books are still on my wishlist lol "angel food cake - the nearest thing to heaven we have in New York" is literally the best quote ever 
rest in peace harry, you will be deeply missed 
He's like the original superfan of Broadway 
and his knowledge is still unmatched to this day. I love how he championed new talent and made everyone feel special in his articles 
. The Outer Critics Circle award in 2024 was totally deserved 
. His passion for theater was contagious and we're going to miss him so much 
? Timeless classic alert! 
... just heard about Harry Haun's passing at 85. Can't believe another legend is gone too soon. I mean, he was literally the guy who knew EVERYTHING about Broadway 
. From movies to stage, he covered it all and wrote for some of the biggest publications out there. His passion for theater was infectious and his dedication to new voices was something we could all learn from 
. It's crazy that he only got a Special Achievement Award last year, I feel like he deserved way more recognition during his career 
.
Harry Haun was like the ultimate theater nerd... and I mean that in the best way possible! 37 years at Playbill? That's like me being at my favorite pub for 37 years, but without the beer gut 
. Seriously though, he left an incredible mark on the industry and we'll miss his witty articles and insightful reviews. His love for theater was contagious and I'm sure he made a ton of people's day with his writing. RIP Harry Haun 
). Anyway, his legacy will live on through all the amazing articles and reviews he wrote, and we're lucky to have had him share his love for theater with us 
.
... everyone's like oh look at us we're so sad because harry haun wrote about broadway for 37 yrs lol it's nice but like did u actually read his stuff or were u just caught up in the "oh he was a legend" vibe? i mean he's leaving behind a legacy and all, but can't we just talk about what theater journalism looks like now instead of waxing poetic about the past 
I'm absolutely obsessed with Paul Hollywood's judging face 
I loved how he could break down complex stuff into simple terms, making it easy for us non-theatre people to understand what all the fuss was about 
And the way he championed new voices and artists was truly admirable 
.
the thing that struck me most about harry haun's life is how he made a career out of what brought him joy... and it's crazy how many people can get caught up in doing something they don't love just because it pays the bills 
. his passion for theater was contagious, and it's no surprise he built such a huge following over the years 
. but what's really inspiring is that he didn't let success go to his head - he stayed true to himself and kept pushing to help others shine 
which makes me wanna revisit some of his old articles... 37 years at Playbill is insane! 
he must've met so many talented people over the years 
and I love that he championed lesser-known artists 
like Lynne Meadow... anyway, Special Achievement Award in 2024? that's amazing! 
he was probly super annoying at awards ceremonies with all that "theater is my life" talk 
meanwhile the people behind the scenes were just trying not to get a ulcer from all the paperwork 
. 85 is old, even for a theatre nerd like me 
.
. So many talented artists got their break thanks to him... Jessica Chastain comes to mind 
. We'll miss his witty words and infectious enthusiasm... but his legacy will live on in our hearts 
. i mean, who else could make theater sound as divine as 'angel food cake' 
, ya know? The fact that he championed so many underrated artists is truly inspiring – it's not often we see writers using their platform to give others the spotlight