Joseph Stein, who wrote ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ book and screenplay, dies at 98

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Joseph Stein, who turned a classic Yiddish short story into the hit Broadway musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ and later wrote the screenplay for its successful movie adaptation, died Sunday in New York City. He was 98.

Stein died at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan of complications from a fall, said his wife, Elisa. He had also been hospitalized with prostate cancer.

Stein won a Tony for his work on ‘Fiddler’ and also supplied the book — or story — for nearly a dozen other musicals, including ‘Zorba,’ ‘Mr. Wonderful’ and ‘Plain and Fancy.’

He also wrote for radio as well as television during its early golden age. He worked for such performers as Henry Morgan, Sid Caesar and Phil Silvers.

-- Associated Press