Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter who moved from 1990s pop success to become one of Broadway’s best-known contemporary composers, has died aged 56.

Sheik died on Thursday, 17 September 2026, in Manhattan. His family confirmed his death in a statement shared on social media, saying he died surrounded by loved ones. His mother, Suzanne Sheik, told The New York Times that he died following organ failure, according to reports from the Associated Press, People and other established outlets.

The confirmation came after his family had said earlier that he was receiving medical care and was in a critical but stable condition.

From ‘Barely Breathing’ to Broadway

Sheik first became widely known through his 1996 single Barely Breathing, which became a long-running US chart success and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

He later built a major second chapter in musical theatre. His best-known stage work was Spring Awakening, for which he wrote the music alongside Steven Sater’s lyrics. The musical, adapted from Frank Wedekind’s 19th-century play, blended a period coming-of-age story with a contemporary rock score.

The original Broadway production won eight Tony Awards, including Best Original Score for Sheik and Sater. Sheik also won the Tony for Best Orchestrations, while the cast recording received a Grammy Award.

The production helped establish performers including Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele and John Gallagher Jr., and was later revived in a widely acclaimed Deaf West Theatre production.

A career that crossed pop and theatre

Sheik continued recording his own music while expanding his theatre work. His other stage projects included music for American Psycho, Whisper House and other productions that continued his interest in bringing contemporary songwriting into theatrical storytelling.

At the time of his death, he remained professionally active. Reports said a new musical, Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen, was preparing for an Off-Broadway run, while another revival of Spring Awakening was also planned.

Family confirms his death

Because reports of celebrity deaths can spread rapidly online before they are verified, FlyingEze checked the announcement against the family’s confirmation and multiple established news organisations. The Associated Press reported the death on 18 September, while People and other outlets also cited confirmation from Sheik’s family and mother.

No speculation beyond the family-confirmed and reliably reported circumstances of his death is included here.

Sheik leaves a body of work spanning pop records, film and theatre, with Barely Breathing and Spring Awakening remaining among the most recognisable landmarks of his career.