Joel Paley (October 6, 1955 â January 11, 2025) was an American theatre director, lyricist and playwright. He was perhaps best known for co-creating the all-female musical Ruthless! with his creative partner and later husband Marvin Laird.
In 1993, he won a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for one more in the categories Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Director of a Musical for the play Ruthless!.
Paley died in Milford, Connecticut, on January 11, 2025, at the age of 69.