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Singer-songwriter and Broadway composer Duncan Sheik dies at 56

nbcnews.com • September 18, 2026 • general

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Duncan Sheik, the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and Tony Award-winning Broadway composer, died at age 56 from cardiac arrest, according to his family and an Instagram statement.
Sheik rose to fame with his 1996 hit single "Barely Breathing" and later achieved major success in theater with the 2006 musical "Spring Awakening," which won multiple Tony Awards and a Grammy.
He composed music for several other stage productions including "Alice by Heart," "American Psycho," and "The Secret Life of Bees," and was known for integrating Buddhist themes into his work.
Sheik struggled with alcohol addiction in the past but credited Nichiren Buddhism and mantra meditation with helping him overcome performance anxiety and find creative focus.
At the time of his death, Sheik had been receiving medical care and was in critical but stable condition; he is survived by his longtime girlfriend, Nora Ariffin, and their daughter.

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