‘Cats’ Actor Died of Overdose

Broadway actor Kevin Marcum, who played a leading role in the hit musical “Cats” and was set to take over the lead of “Les Miserables,” died of a cocaine overdose, the city medical examiner’s office said today.

“The cause of death is acute cocaine intoxication,” spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said. Marcum, 31, was found dead July 20 in his apartment. The actor played Old Deuteronomy, an aged and wise cat, in the Broadway production of “Cats” for two years. He had a minor role in “Les Miserables” at the time of his death but was expected to take over the lead of the show in the fall. Results of the autopsy were withheld until after a memorial service for the actor.