Donald Richards

Donald Richards (March 24, 1919 – September 26, 1953) was an American singer and actor. He is best known in his short career for having created the role of Woody Mahoney in Finian's Rainbow. Richards was born in New York City on March 24, 1919, and attended Theodore Roosevelt High School there. He went on to attend Columbia University, and he often sang on radio stations in New York City while he was a student at both schools. Laszlo Halasz, conductor for New York's City Center Opera company, tutored Richards and advised him to aim for a career on stage. Richards's ambition to sing opera was fulfilled when he had lead roles in the St. Louis Grand Opera's productions of Faust and Pagliacci. H…