Richard Besoyan (July 2, 1924 – March 13, 1970) was a singer, actor, playwright, composer and director especially of operetta and musicals.
He enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley in 1942, but left during his first semester to volunteer for the army, serving in Europe for three years in the Special Services Division.
Upon his return, Besoyan joined the Bredon-Savoy Light Opera Company, where he performed the role of Ko-Ko in Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado.
An Act II finale, titled Gems from Little Mary Sunshine, featured some of the themes later to form part of the famous musical.
It starred Eileen Brennan and Dom DeLuise; however, it opened during negotiations with the musician union and was also affected by a newspaper strike.