Actor succumbs to Covid-19 and diabetes
Marc-Jon Filippone, a seven-time Artie Award nominated actor, with an acerbic wit and vivid personality has died from Covid-19 complicated by diabetes.
Once a fixture on the Western New York musical theater scene, Filippone played a wide array of character roles. The Artie nominated performances alone demonstrate an impressive range: Jacques Brel is Alive and Well ..., Baby, Mack and Mabel, Romance/Romance, Putting it Together, A New Brain, andWorking. Other memorable roles include numerous appearances in The Fantasticks, as the chairman in Mystery of Edwin Drood, and as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls. He worked everywhere from Desiderio's Dinner Theatre to Theatre of Youth.
Born in 1956, Marc-Jon began in high school then worked throughout the growing WNY theater community of the 1980s. Notable gigs include many shows at Reuben's Backstage on Pearl Street and the popular "Popcorn and Caviar" musical reviews staged by his close friend -Gayle Wiegand, in the company of such performers as Syndi Starr, Michael Lo Rocca, Barbara Brown, Don Jenczka, Lisa Ludwig, Mary Kate O'Connell, and Bill Lovern. The troupe performed a grab bag of musical material anywhere they could get booked.
Devoted to musical theater, Marc-Jon was known for his enormous (some might say astounding) knowledge of every musical, including composers, lyricists, and even replacement casts. He initially thought of himself as a singer who acted. After doing Jacques Brel at Upstage New York, however, his focus began to shift, and he viewed himself as an actor who could sing. He was proud to say that Mass Appeal was his favorite role.
His abrupt passing has inspired an outpouring of grief and reminiscence across the Western New York Theatre community.
The Addison Funeral Home obituary describes Marc-Jon as "beloved brother of Brett Klaczyk; dearest friend of John Schieber, Lori Jacobs-Crawford and Paula Makar. Loved by Momma Bonnie Anticola and Pops Dennis Klaczyk. United in heaven with his loving grandmother Lena Chiappone. Survived by Angela, Sam, Randy and Greg Filippone as well as additional relatives." The announcement further states, "As per his request there will be no services."