Dick Duane, 91, a former long-time Key West resident, died in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. He began his extraordinary career as a MGM contract player, then a well-known singer, advertising executive, literary agent and was true renaissance man. Dick lost a valiant battle against colon cancer. He was instrumental in the creation of the novel âMidnight Cowboy,â written by James Leo Herlihy, and the subsequent packaging of the Academy Award-winning film of the same name. The novel is dedicated to him, as well.
Following several appearances as a solo artist on âThe Ed Sullivan Showâ and several gold records, he appeared regularly in most major nights clubs in the country and internationally during the 1950s.