Following oral surgery

American comedy producer Calvin Wynter, a familiar face at the Edinburgh Fringe, has died at the age of 55.

He recently underwent oral surgery to remove a benign lesion on his jaw, although the cause of death is not known.

Wynter is probably best known on the Fringe for co-producing the original Green Room live shows with Paul Provenza, before it was developed into a TV show for America's Showtime network.

It is one of 130 productions he brought to the festival, including Rick Shapiro's acclaimed debut in 2007 and shows from Earl Okin, Janey Godley, David Mulholland and Jessica Delfino.

Godly once said of him: 'I worked with Cal Wynter on many occasions and his capacity to promote and push exciting boundaries is awesome. In a world such as the flaky, worrysome, unpredictable entertainment business he really is the man who knows it all.'

Wynter also promoted shows at the Adelaide Fringe and ran the New York fringe venue45 Bleecker Theatre. He briefly ran the Green Room venue in Edinburgh, whioh is now Just the Tonic at The Mash House.

He was formerly a Wall Street high-flyer, having been a successful executive at Lehman brothers and Merril Lynch, but quit at the age of 40 to become an actor, singer and dancer, before moving into production.

Wynter was also an active campaigner for various causes, and New York-based production company Inbrook was linked to anti-corporate campaigns, HIV/Aids charities and the Guide Right Program working with young black people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

News of his death was reported by his friend and Inbrook consultant John Fleming on his blog today, which also describes some of the medical treatment he underwent.

His funeral will be 5pm on Friday at Cobbs Funeral Home in East Elmhurst, Queens, New York.

Published: 3 Nov 2015