Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter best known for his 1996 hit “Barely Breathing,” has died at the age of 56, leaving fans and fellow artists mourning a sudden loss.
Sheik died on September 17, 2026, in a Manhattan hospital after going into heart failure that led to cardiac arrest, according to his mother, who spoke to The New York Times. His family confirmed his death on Friday and said he was surrounded by loved ones.
Sheik became widely known in the 1990s through “Barely Breathing,” which became a major radio hit and remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 55 weeks. The song earned him a Grammy nomination and became the defining hit of his early music career.
His career later expanded far beyond pop music. Sheik went on to compose the music for the Broadway musical Spring Awakening, created with lyricist Steven Sater. The production became a major success and earned Sheik two Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations.
Sheik also worked on other theater and stage projects, including the musical American Psycho. At the time of his death, he had been preparing for future productions, including an upcoming Spring Awakening revival and an off-Broadway project titled Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen.
Just one day before his death was announced, Sheik’s family had revealed that he was in critical but stable condition and receiving medical treatment. They asked fans and the public to respect the family’s privacy and did not initially provide further medical details.
After news of his death spread, tributes began highlighting his work not only as a singer but also as a composer whose music reached both pop audiences and Broadway theatergoers. His family described him as a father, husband, son, brother and friend and thanked fans and colleagues for their support.
Sheik is survived by his wife, Nora Ariffin, their daughter Inez, his mother and siblings. His sudden death at 56 marks the loss of an artist whose work remained influential across music and theater for decades.