Original ‘Dancing With the Stars’ musical director dead at 82 as cast pay tribute to ‘legend’ and ‘friend’

The “Dancing With nan Stars” family is mourning 1 of their own.

Harold Wheeler, nan ABC reality title series’ longtime philharmonic director, has died. He was 82.

Wheeler, who was besides a famed Broadway orchestrator and received a Special Tony Award successful 2019 for Lifetime Achievement successful nan Theatre, died Wednesday astatine his location successful Los Angeles pursuing a lengthy illness, Deadline reports.

The musician served arsenic some nan philharmonic head and composer for nan first 17 seasons of “DWTS” betwixt 2005 and 2013, pinch his exit confirmed successful 2014 earlier nan show’s 18th season.

Tom Bergeron, who hosted “DWTS” for nan series’ first 28 seasons, shared a heartfelt tribute for Wheeler connected Instagram Thursday.

“In 2005, erstwhile you first heard nan euphony of @dancingwiththestars, it was coming from Harold Wheeler and his orchestra,” he began. “Nothing gave maine greater pleasance than making him & his orchestra break up during dress rehearsals. Well, that & basking successful nan brilliance of their talent. #RIP my friend 😔.”

Wheeler’s “DWTS” successor, Ray Chew, reacted to Bergeron’s station successful nan comments, calling it “one of nan top honors” of his profession to person Wheeler walk nan baton to him.

“Harold could not person been much gracious, offering maine his blessing and encouragement arsenic I stepped into nan domiciled he had shaped pinch specified distinction,” Chew wrote. “That meant much to maine than words tin express.”

Chew besides shouted retired Wheeler’s “immeasurable” effect connected nan intermezo industry.

Derek Hough, a six-time Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy champ who is now a “DWTS” judge, besides honored Wheeler connected Instagram arsenic personification who “helped build truthful overmuch of nan magic we each know.”

“From nan Oscars to countless iconic shows, he was a legend. I’ll ever retrieve sending him ideas successful my early seasons and that nosy infinitesimal erstwhile [his Season 15 personage partner] Shawn [Johnson] and I tumbled correct into his set pit,” he wrote, besides sharing a clip of nan moment.

“Harold, convey you for nan music, nan kindness, and nan memories,” Hough continued. “Rest successful peace, my friend.”

In summation to his lengthy stint connected “DWTS,” Wheeler had galore shape and surface credits, including him serving arsenic philharmonic head and orchestrator for grant shows for illustration nan Oscars and Emmys and respective Broadway-to-TV musicals.

He was besides nan conductor for nan 1996 Summer Olympics opening and closing ceremonies and worked pinch musicians for illustration Burt Bacharach, Nina Simone and Bruce Springsteen.

Wheeler is survived by his wife, Hattie Winston; his 2 daughters, Marian and Samantha; and his grandchildren.

The “DWTS” family antecedently suffered a immense nonaccomplishment erstwhile Len Goodman, who served arsenic a judge for nan immense mostly of nan show’s first 31 seasons, died successful 2023 aft prostate crab dispersed to his bones.

He died while surrounded by his family successful hospice successful Kent, UK. He was 78.

Goodman’s agent, Jackie Gill, confirmed his decease successful a connection astatine nan time, sharing that he was “a much-loved husband, begetter and grandfather who will beryllium sorely missed by family, friends and each those who knew him.”