Kevin Hadley's role was support

Kevin Hadley, an actor, singer and dancer who appeared at theaters throughout Seattle, was more interested in enhancing an ensemble than taking the spotlight.

Handsome enough to work as a model in fashion photographs, he preferred supporting roles onstage.

He appeared as an acolyte and a waiter in "Phantom of the Opera," as First Cockney in "My Fair Lady" and in the ensembles of "Evita!" and "South Pacific" at the 5th Avenue Theatre.

He also appeared in "The Big Broadcast" and "The Comedy of Errors" at the Bathhouse; in "Merrily We Roll Along" at A Contemporary Theater, as well as in the touring school show, "The Secret of N Power," presented by Seattle Children's Theatre.

"Kevin was a truly gentle spirit, always there without announcing his presence," said Chris Sumption, associate artistic director of Seattle Repertory Theatre.

"He supported and helped other people. Everything he did was for the greatest goal of a project. He could listen, but also had an impish sense of humor."

Mr. Hadley died Monday of a brain tumor. He was 36.

Born in Laramie, Wyo., he grew up in a family of geologists and engineers in Montana and Colorado. He once hoped to compete as an Olympic swimmer.

He later switched to the performing arts and earned a bachelor's degree in theater at the University of Northern Colorado.

He worked in theater groups in Colorado and auditioned for television shows in Los Angeles.

He moved to Seattle in 1987, acting in Everett, in Bathhouse Theater productions and at the 5th Avenue.

In 1989, as a member of Seattle-Soviet Theatre Arts Exchange, he traveled with other Seattle performance artists to Soviet Union as a guest of the Union of Theatrical Workers of the U.S.S.R.

Fit from swimming and dancing, he also practiced Reiki, a method of hands-on healing.

He helped found Theater Puget Sound, an actors service group.

As Seattle Liaison for the Actors Equity Association, he negotiated a contract in 1997 for Issaquah's Village Theatre.

A budding playwright, he saw his and Richard Gray's "Forbidden Christmas" produced at the Cabaret de Paris in Rainier Square.

His play "Healing" was produced by The Annex Theatre.

A singer as well, he performed with the Washingtonians choir.

"He was such an amazing person--thoughtful, even-tempered and talented," said his life partner, Victor Pappas of Seattle. "And he was a fabulous cook."

Also surviving are his parents, Carol and John Limbach of Billings, Mont.; brother, Stuart Wheeler, Everett; grandfather, Herbert Hadley, Billings; and nephew, Jesse Wheeler, Denver.

Services will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at Seattle Children's Theatre at Seattle Center. Donations may go to the University of Washington Medical Center.

Carole Beers' e-mail address is cbeers@seattletimes.com.