Robert Fryer, whose name was above the title as producer of a number of hit plays and musicals, including Mame, Sweet Charity and Chicago, died May 28 in Los Angeles of complications from Parkinson's disease, according to The New York Times.

Mr. Fryer, who not only produced but paired artists together for new projects, was 79.

His film producing credits include "The Boston Strangler," "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie," "Mame," "Travels With My Aunt," "The Boys From Brazil" and others. Among the stage shows he produced or co-produced on Broadway were Auntie Mame, Desk Set, Wonderful Town, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Advise and Consent, California Suite, Biloxi Blues, Wild Honey, Benefactors, A Passage to India, Redhead, Sweeney Todd and more.

He was a multiple Tony Award winner, and also worked on a number of notable flops, such as the Mary Rodgers musical, Hot Spot, starring Judy Holiday. One of his longtime producing partners was Lawrence Carr.

Between 1971 and 1988 he was the director of the Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles. Mr. Fryer was born in Washington DC in 1920. His father was a department store manager. After serving in the Army and graduating Case Western Reserve University , he worked as assistant to the producer of the Old Vic season at the Century Theatre in New York City and was managing director of stock houses in Dennis, MA, and Ogunquit, ME.