Stephen Mo Hanan obit

Stephen Mo Hanan, Tony-Nominated Star of CATS, Dies at 78

Hanan is best known to Broadway fans for his portrayal of three characters—Bustopher Jones, Asparagus (Gus), and Growltiger—in the original Broadway production of Cats. 

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BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of Tony-nominated actor Stephen Mo Hanan. Hanan passed away on April 3, 2025 at the age of 78.

Hanan is best known to Broadway fans for his portrayal of three characters—Bustopher Jones, Asparagus (Gus), and Growltiger—in the original Broadway production of Cats in 1982. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He later chronicled his experiences in the show through his published journal, A Cat’s Diary.

In 1999, Hanan co-wrote and starred in Jolson & Co., an Off-Broadway production where he embodied the vaudeville legend Al Jolson. The show, structured as a 1946 radio interview, featured Hanan performing many of Jolson's iconic songs, including "Swanee" and "California, Here I Come." His portrayal was lauded for capturing Jolson's essence and energy.

Hanan's other roles included Moonface Martin in Anything Goes at the Guthrie Theater, Voltaire and Dr. Pangloss in Candide at the Huntington Theater, and the dual role of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook in Peter Pan on Broadway and on tour. He also portrayed Thenardier in Les Misérables in London.

 

Actor

Backstage Babble (2020)

Backstage Babble

Podcast Series

Guest (as Stephen Hanan)

2020

 

Spectropia (2006)

Spectropia

6.8

Ball Guest (as Stephen Hanan)

2006

 

Tony Goldwyn, Maura Tierney, Hugh Dancy, Reid Scott, Mehcad Brooks, and Odelya Halevi in Law & Order (1990)

Law & Order

7.8

TV Series

Peterson

1998

1 episode

 

Malcolm X (1992)

Malcolm X

7.7

JFK Reporter (as Stephen Hanan)

1992

 

Punch and Judy Get Divorced

TV Movie

Punch #2 (as Stephen Hanan)

1992

 

Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt, George Rose, and Rex Smith in The Pirates of Penzance (1983)

The Pirates of Penzance

7.1

Samuel (singing voice, as Stephen Hanan)

1983

 

The Chosen (1981)

The Chosen

7.2

Man with Leaflets (as Stephen Hanan)

1981

 

NET Playhouse (1964)

NET Playhouse

7.4

TV Series

Lazarus (as Stephen Hanan)

1970

2 episodes

 

Soundtrack

Kevin Kline, Angela Lansbury, Linda Ronstadt, George Rose, and Rex Smith in The Pirates of Penzance (1983)

The Pirates of Penzance

7.1

performer: "Pour, Oh Pour The Pirate Sherry"

1983

 

Self

Al Jolson and The Jazz Singer

8.2

Self (as Stephen Hanan)

2008

 

A Look at Al Jolson

Short

Self (as Stephen Hanan)

2007

 

Movies That Shook the World

8.3

TV Series

Self (as Mo Hanan)

2005

1 episode

 

Broadway: The American Musical (2004)

Broadway: The American Musical

8.7

TV Mini Series

Self

2004

3 episodes

 

The 37th Annual Tony Awards (1983)

The 37th Annual Tony Awards

6.8

TV Special

Self - NomineePerformer (as Stephen Hanan)

1983

 

Raul Julia and Meryl Streep in Kiss Me, Petruchio (1981)

Kiss Me, Petruchio

8.1

TV Movie

Tailor (as Stephen Hanan)

1981