Gender
Male
Born
Jun 29, 1919
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Died
Jun 29, 2006
New York, New York, USA
Director Performer Producer Presenter
Relations
Husband of
Barbara Davenport (1957 - 2006) his death
Father of
Scott Davenport-Richards
Son-in-law of
Pembroke Davenport
See Also
Comments
Biography: Lloyd George Richards was born on June 29, 1919 in Toronto, Canada. He studied law at Wayne University, and he served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He taught in the actor training program at New York University. He was the head of the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. He was dean of the Yale School of Drama and artistic director of the Yale Repertory Theater in the 1980s. He married dancer Barbara Davenport, with whom he had his sons Scott and Thomas.

TV Credits include: "The Piano Lesson," "American Playhouse," "Paul Robeson," "Roots: The Next Generations," "Freeman," "Visions," and "The Wide World of Mystery."

Other Awards: Received the National Medal of Arts in 1993.

Trivia:
The marquees of Broadway theaters were dimmed in his honor on June 29, 2006.
  • CREDITS
    Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Apr 25, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026)
    Play, Revival
    • Originally produced on Broadway by Elliot Martin, Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro; Originally produced on Broadway in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Associate Producers of original Broadway production: Jeffrey Steiner, Kery Davis and Charles Grantham; World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre; Second Production at Huntington Theatre Company (Peter Altman, Producing Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director)
    Seven Guitars (Mar 28, 1996 - Sep 08, 1996)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    Two Trains Running (Apr 13, 1992 - Aug 30, 1992)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    The Cemetery Club (May 15, 1990 - Jul 01, 1990)
    Play, Original
    • Originally produced by the Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    The Piano Lesson (Apr 16, 1990 - Jan 27, 1991)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    • Produced by Lloyd Richards
    • Produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
      See Full Producer List
    • Originally mounted in 1987 by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director) and Huntington Theatre Company (Peter Altman, Producing Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director)
    Ah, Wilderness! (Jun 23, 1988 - Jul 23, 1988)
    Play, Revival
    • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
      See Full Producer List
    • This production was mounted originally by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Part of The First New York International Festival of the Arts
    Long Day's Journey Into Night (Jun 14, 1988 - Jul 23, 1988)
    Play, Revival
    • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
      See Full Producer List
    • Part of The First New York International Festival of the Arts; This production was mounted originally by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Mar 27, 1988 - Jun 26, 1988)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
      See Full Producer List
    • World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Second Production at Huntington Theatre Company (Peter Altman, Producing Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director); Originally presented as a staged reading at the 1984 National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center
    A Walk in the Woods (Feb 28, 1988 - Jun 26, 1988)
    Play, Original
    • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
      See Full Producer List
    • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    Fences (Mar 26, 1987 - Jun 26, 1988)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
      See Full Producer List
    • World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Second Production at The Goodman Theatre (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Managing Director)
    Blood Knot (Dec 10, 1985 - Mar 02, 1986)
    Play, Original
    • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Oct 11, 1984 - Jun 09, 1985)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    "MASTER HAROLD"…and the boys (May 04, 1982 - Feb 26, 1983)
    Play, Original
    • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    A Lesson From Aloes (Nov 17, 1980 - Feb 08, 1981)
    Play, Original
    • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
      See Full Producer List
    Paul Robeson (Jan 19, 1978 - Apr 30, 1978)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards; Original Staging By Charles Nelson Reilly
    The Yearling (Dec 10, 1965 - Dec 11, 1965)
    Musical, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    I Had a Ball (Dec 15, 1964 - Jun 12, 1965)
    Musical, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    The Moon Besieged (Dec 05, 1962 - Dec 05, 1962)
    Play, Original
    • Staged by Lloyd Richards
    The Long Dream (Feb 17, 1960 - Feb 20, 1960)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    A Raisin in the Sun (Mar 11, 1959 - Jun 25, 1960)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
    The Egghead (Oct 09, 1957 - Oct 26, 1957)
    Play, Original
    • Performer: Lloyd Richards
      • Perry Hall - Original
    A Phoenix Too Frequent / Freight (Apr 26, 1950 - Apr 29, 1950)
    Play, Original
    • Performer: Lloyd Richards
      • Oz - Original
    A Raisin in the Sun (Sep 12, 1960 - May 24, 1961)
    Play, Original
    • Directed by Lloyd Richards
  • AWARDS

    Tony Award®

     

    Best Direction of a Play

    1996 | Nominee  | Seven Guitars
    Directed by Lloyd Richards

    Regional Theatre Award

    1991 | Recipient
    Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
     

    Best Direction of a Play

    1990 | Nominee  | The Piano Lesson
    Directed by Lloyd Richards
     

    Best Play

    1990 | Nominee  | The Piano Lesson
    Produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    Produced by Lloyd Richards
    See Full Producer List
     

    Best Revival

    1989 | Nominee  | Ah, Wilderness!
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
     

    Best Direction of a Play

    1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
    Directed by Lloyd Richards
     

    Best Play

    1988 | Nominee  | A Walk in the Woods
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
     

    Best Play

    1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List

    Best Direction of a Play

    1987 | Winner  | Fences
    Directed by Lloyd Richards

    Best Play

    1987 | Winner  | Fences
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
     

    Best Play

    1981 | Nominee  | A Lesson From Aloes
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
     

    Best Direction of a Play

    1960 | Nominee  | A Raisin in the Sun
    Directed by Lloyd Richards

    Drama Desk Award

     

    Outstanding Director of a Play

    1996 | Nominee  | Seven Guitars
    Directed by Lloyd Richards
     

    Outstanding Director of a Play

    1990 | Nominee  | The Piano Lesson
    Directed by Lloyd Richards

    Outstanding New Play

    1990 | Winner  | The Piano Lesson
    Produced by Lloyd Richards
    Produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
     

    Outstanding Revival

    1989 | Nominee  | Long Day's Journey Into Night
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
     

    Outstanding Director of a Play

    1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
    Directed by Lloyd Richards
     

    Outstanding New Play

    1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
     

    Outstanding Director of a Play

    1987 | Nominee  | Fences
    Directed by Lloyd Richards

    Outstanding New Play

    1987 | Winner  | Fences
    Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Apr 25, 2026 - Jul 26, 2026)
Play, Revival
  • Originally produced on Broadway by Elliot Martin, Vy Higginsen and Ken Wydro; Originally produced on Broadway in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Associate Producers of original Broadway production: Jeffrey Steiner, Kery Davis and Charles Grantham; World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre; Second Production at Huntington Theatre Company (Peter Altman, Producing Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director)
Seven Guitars (Mar 28, 1996 - Sep 08, 1996)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
Two Trains Running (Apr 13, 1992 - Aug 30, 1992)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
  • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
The Cemetery Club (May 15, 1990 - Jul 01, 1990)
Play, Original
  • Originally produced by the Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
The Piano Lesson (Apr 16, 1990 - Jan 27, 1991)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
  • Produced by Lloyd Richards
  • Produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
  • Originally mounted in 1987 by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director) and Huntington Theatre Company (Peter Altman, Producing Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director)
Ah, Wilderness! (Jun 23, 1988 - Jul 23, 1988)
Play, Revival
  • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
  • This production was mounted originally by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Part of The First New York International Festival of the Arts
Long Day's Journey Into Night (Jun 14, 1988 - Jul 23, 1988)
Play, Revival
  • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
  • Part of The First New York International Festival of the Arts; This production was mounted originally by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Mar 27, 1988 - Jun 26, 1988)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
  • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
  • World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Second Production at Huntington Theatre Company (Peter Altman, Producing Director; Michael Maso, Managing Director); Originally presented as a staged reading at the 1984 National Playwrights Conference at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center
A Walk in the Woods (Feb 28, 1988 - Jun 26, 1988)
Play, Original
  • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
  • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
Fences (Mar 26, 1987 - Jun 26, 1988)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
  • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
  • World Premiere at Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director); Second Production at The Goodman Theatre (Robert Falls, Artistic Director; Roche Schulfer, Managing Director)
Blood Knot (Dec 10, 1985 - Mar 02, 1986)
Play, Original
  • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Oct 11, 1984 - Jun 09, 1985)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
  • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
"MASTER HAROLD"…and the boys (May 04, 1982 - Feb 26, 1983)
Play, Original
  • Originally produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
A Lesson From Aloes (Nov 17, 1980 - Feb 08, 1981)
Play, Original
  • Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
    See Full Producer List
Paul Robeson (Jan 19, 1978 - Apr 30, 1978)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards; Original Staging By Charles Nelson Reilly
The Yearling (Dec 10, 1965 - Dec 11, 1965)
Musical, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
I Had a Ball (Dec 15, 1964 - Jun 12, 1965)
Musical, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
The Moon Besieged (Dec 05, 1962 - Dec 05, 1962)
Play, Original
  • Staged by Lloyd Richards
The Long Dream (Feb 17, 1960 - Feb 20, 1960)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
A Raisin in the Sun (Mar 11, 1959 - Jun 25, 1960)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards
The Egghead (Oct 09, 1957 - Oct 26, 1957)
Play, Original
  • Performer: Lloyd Richards
    • Perry Hall - Original
A Phoenix Too Frequent / Freight (Apr 26, 1950 - Apr 29, 1950)
Play, Original
  • Performer: Lloyd Richards
    • Oz - Original
A Raisin in the Sun (Sep 12, 1960 - May 24, 1961)
Play, Original
  • Directed by Lloyd Richards

Tony Award®

 

Best Direction of a Play

1996 | Nominee  | Seven Guitars
Directed by Lloyd Richards

Regional Theatre Award

1991 | Recipient
Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
 

Best Direction of a Play

1990 | Nominee  | The Piano Lesson
Directed by Lloyd Richards
 

Best Play

1990 | Nominee  | The Piano Lesson
Produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
Produced by Lloyd Richards
See Full Producer List
 

Best Revival

1989 | Nominee  | Ah, Wilderness!
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List
 

Best Direction of a Play

1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Directed by Lloyd Richards
 

Best Play

1988 | Nominee  | A Walk in the Woods
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List
 

Best Play

1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List

Best Direction of a Play

1987 | Winner  | Fences
Directed by Lloyd Richards

Best Play

1987 | Winner  | Fences
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List
 

Best Play

1981 | Nominee  | A Lesson From Aloes
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List
 

Best Direction of a Play

1960 | Nominee  | A Raisin in the Sun
Directed by Lloyd Richards

Drama Desk Award

 

Outstanding Director of a Play

1996 | Nominee  | Seven Guitars
Directed by Lloyd Richards
 

Outstanding Director of a Play

1990 | Nominee  | The Piano Lesson
Directed by Lloyd Richards

Outstanding New Play

1990 | Winner  | The Piano Lesson
Produced by Lloyd Richards
Produced by Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List
 

Outstanding Revival

1989 | Nominee  | Long Day's Journey Into Night
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List
 

Outstanding Director of a Play

1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Directed by Lloyd Richards
 

Outstanding New Play

1988 | Nominee  | Joe Turner's Come and Gone
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List
 

Outstanding Director of a Play

1987 | Nominee  | Fences
Directed by Lloyd Richards

Outstanding New Play

1987 | Winner  | Fences
Produced in association with Yale Repertory Theatre (Lloyd Richards: Artistic Director; Benjamin Mordecai: Managing Director)
See Full Producer List

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