Mel Brooks and more pay tribute to Thomas Meehan – 'We have all lost a giant of the theatre'

Tony Award-winning book writer Thomas Meehan, whose hits include Annie, The Producers and Hairspray has passed away at the age of 88.

Longtime collaborator Mel Brooks, who worked with Meehan on projects including The Producers, Young Frankenstein and Spaceballs, wrote on Twitter: "Stunned by the news that my friend/co-writer Tom Meehan has died. I’ll miss his sweetness and talent. We have all lost a giant of the theatre."

Stunned by the news that my friend/co-writer Tom Meehan has died. I’ll miss his sweetness & talent. We have all lost a giant of the theatre. pic.twitter.com/xzJ2vM3hmj

Throughout his career Meehan had 11 shows on Broadway, his first being Annie in 1977. The current West End production tweeted to say that this evening's performance would be in his honour, and the new production of Young Frankenstein – which opens in London later this year – also paid its respects.

#AnnieWestEnd are saddened to learn the passing of our brilliant book writer Thomas Meehan. Tonight's performance will be in honour of Thom.

We are truly sad to hear about the passing of Thomas Meehan – a master librettist of Young Frankenstein, The Producers, Annie & many more. pic.twitter.com/E2E7NxMr1J

Other industry figures paying tribute to the late writer included Meera Syal who worked on Meehan's Bombay Dreams on Broadway. She said she was 'privileged to work with the musical theatre legend', adding that he was 'sweet funny and so kind.' Syal's partner Sanjeev Bhaskar added Meehan was 'responsible for one of the funniest dinners ever when he brought along Mel Brooks'.

Privileged to work with musical theatre legend Thomas Meehan on Bombay Dreams on Broadway. Sweet funny and so kind. And what a legacy https://t.co/1wPrPCbrmk

#ThomasMeehan was utterly lovely as was his wife Carolyn. Responsible for one of the funniest dinners ever when he brought along Mel Brooks https://t.co/a2eZE183rW

Actress Jackie Hoffman recalled Meehan saying that he hoped audiences would 'focus on the word dream in Bombay Dreams and not the word bomb'. Lin Manuel Miranda tweeted his tribute to 'one of the best around' and Michael Feinstein commented on how Meehan was the 'only writer to have three shows run over 2,000 performances'.

Tom Meehan told me that he hoped the audience would focus on the word dream in Bombay Dreams and not the word bomb #RIP #lovelyman

RIP to Thomas Meehan, one of the best around.

So sad to hear of the passing of Thomas Meehan… only writer to have 3 shows run over 2,000 performances. What a legacy.

Director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell thanked Meehan on Instagram, and Hairspray colleague Harvey Fierstein said: 'He led a wonderful life and left so much mirth behind for us to enjoy.'

The cake was good but the #martinis were better. Thank you Tom Meehan for all the joy!

A post shared by Jerry Mitchell (@jammyprod) on Aug 22, 2017 at 4:29pm PDT

Writer Tom Meehan died today. He led a wonderful life and left so much mirth behind for us to enjoy. Bravo, Maestro.