Michael Butler

Michael Butler (1926-2022) was an American theatrical producer. He is best known for bringing the musical Hair to Broadway in 1968, where it became a smash success. He also produced the 1971 film adaptation, documentaries about the 1960s, and was well-known in print publications as “the hippie millionaire”.

Born in Chicago to a wealthy family – the Butlers originally ran the first paper mill to provide paper to Congress, and eventually moved to Chicago and created even further success by expanding into the dairy and aviation businesses. The godson of Tyrone Power, a tall, handsome playboy amongst the upper class and all-around bon vivant, Butler rubbed elbows with international socialites and politicians alike (he was very good friends with the Kennedy family, particularly father Joe Kennedy and pre-presidential John F. Kennedy.) In 1967, while enjoying early political success in his career and preparing for a state Senator campaign, the at-time pro-Vietnam War Butler got into a conversation with his gardener, a young student at the time, who held the opposite stance. As a result of these conversations, Butler became anti-war and backed away from his campaign. Later on that year, Butler saw Hair in an off-Broadway production and was so moved by its story and message he bought the rights to it and got the show moved to Broadway.

Hair ended up being a runaway financial and cultural success, the “American tribal love-rock musical” breaking records and adding many songs to the great American songbook, including but not limited to: “The Age of Aquarius,” “Let the Sunshine In,” “I Ain’t Got No/I Got Life” and “Good Morning Starshine”. The show was also groundbreaking for having multiple bi and trans characters, who were seen as normal and accepted. Many major stars got their start during its run, including but not limited to: Meat Loaf, Diane Keaton, Keith Carradine, Treat Williams, and Beverly D’Angelo from the film adaptation. Hair was also the first Broadway musical to feature nudity in its production, which often led to lawsuits or attempts to ban the show when other regions put on the musical (lawsuits wherein Butler usually won). Over the course of his life, he oversaw more than thirty productions of his beloved rock musical.

In addition to Hair, Butler had a number of other interests and enterprises. In addition to producing several theatrical productions, Butler was an avid yachter and polo player (at one point saying he spent all of his earnings from Hair on the sport), and an owner of multiple discotheque clubs. He also served as a Special Advisor on the Middle East for his old pal, JFK.

Regarding his bisexuality, Butler had affairs and relationships with multiple glittering celebrities – including Audrey Hepburn (whom he helped land her part in the Broadway production of Ondine, a turning point in her career), Rock Hudson, Candice Bergen, Spanish duchess and socialite/model Naty Abascal.