Woodie King Jr dies.

Woodie King Jr., an influential figure in American theater, has died at 88. He founded the New Federal Theatre to support Black playwrights, actors and directors. The theater company says King died Thursday from complications after heart surgery. King was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2012 and received the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre in 2020. The New Federal Theatre produced significant works like “For Colored Girls Who Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.” It also helped launch the careers of stars like Chadwick Boseman and Denzel Washington. King is survived by his wife, three children and five grandchildren.