Scott Lynch-Giddings (1958-2025)
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Actor and playwright Scott Lynch-Giddings passed away on January 30 at the age of 66. His stage credits include MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS and ANNA CHRISTIE (Illinois Theatre Center); THE ONE-MAN CHRISTMAS CAROL (Dorothy Menker Theater); NOW AND THEN (Theatre of Western Springs); AS YOU LIKE IT (Oak Park Festival Theatre); ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK GIRL… and THE DOCTOR’S DILEMMA (ShawChicago); THE HEIDI CHRONICLES (Halsted Theatre Center) and THE SUNSHINE BOYS (National Jewish Theatre). His published plays include A FANCYFULL HISTORIE OF…ROBYN HOOD, LOUISA’S LITTLE WOMEN and ARGONUTS. Scott also appeared in many TV shows, independent features and shorts, commercials and industrial films.
Off stage, Scott worked early on as a paralegal to Barack Obama. For the last 10 years, he coordinated patient simulation with Midwestern University. Patient simulation challenged Scott to blend science, medicine and acting. He enjoyed the training and the opportunity to provide a unique stage for actors to support the training of the next generation of physicians, nurses and pharmacists. Born Scott Giddings to parents Esther and Lyle in South Bend IN, on February 12, 1958, Scott showed a love for the arts and music at an early age mastering the upright bass in orchestra and traveling with the National Youth Orchestra through Europe at the age of 17. He attended Roosevelt University as a National Merit Scholar and completed his studies with a degree in both English Literature and Theater. Scott is survived by his wife of 43 years, Beth (née Lynch); stepchildren Amy (Steven) Strauss and Nick Settich; grandchildren Madeleine Rodriguez, Carter Strauss, and Maylynn Strauss; and siblings Cinda (Al) Kosinski and Daniel (Claudia) Giddings. Per Rachel Edwards Harvith — “Scott was one of the first actors I worked with in Chicago, and kept working with again and again through Chicago Dramatists. He was one of my go-to actors. A versatile artist who intuitively (and immediately) was able to get to the heart of a character while supporting cast members, playwrights, and directors, and making the rehearsal room a home — a haven of experimentation, meaning, and fun. He was just the best artist-human-colleague.” |