Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play

Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play
Awarded for Quality supporting roles in a Broadway play
Country United States
Presented by Tony Award Productions (American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League)
First awarded 1949
Currently held by Mark Rylance (2014)
Official website tonyawards.com

The Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play is an honor presented at the Tony Awards, a ceremony established in 1947 as the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, to actors for quality supporting roles in a Broadway play. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, to "honor the best performances and stage productions of the previous year."[1]

Originally called the "Tony Award for Actor, Supporting or Featured (Dramatic)", the award was first presented to Arthur Kennedy at the 3rd Tony Awards for his portrayal of Biff Loman in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.[2] Before 1956, nominees' names were not made public:[3] the change was made by the awards committee to "have a greater impact on theatregoers".[4] In 1976, when the award's name changed to its current title, Edward Herrmann, portraying Frank Gardner in George Bernard Shaw's Mrs. Warren's Profession, won the award.[5] Its most recent recipient is Mark Rylance for the role of Countess Olivia in Twelfth Night.[6]

Frank Langella holds the record for having the most wins in this category with a total of two; he is the only person to win the award more than once. Richard Roma in Glengarry Glen Ross and Phil Hogan in A Moon for the Misbegotten are the only characters to take the award multiple times, both winning twice. A supporting actor in each of Neil Simon's Eugene trilogy (Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, and Broadway Bound) has taken the Tony, whereas featured actors in both parts of Tony Kushner's Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes series have also won the award.

Recipients

A black-and-white photograph of a man in a suit and tie with white hair and a pipe
1959 award winner Charlie Ruggles
A color photograph of a man in a suit, sitting at a brown desk, holding a pair of glasses
1967 award winner Ian Holm
A man wearing a white shirt with a grey jacket and circular sunglasses
Frank Langella, the only person to win the award multiple times
A man with a black-grey goatee in a black suit with an American flag tie
1984 award winner Joe Mantegna
A man speaking in a black suit with a pink tie
1992 award winner Laurence Fishburne
A man in a brown suit with a black tie standing in front of a white backdrop
1996 award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson
A man with short, black hair in a brown suit with a blue tie against a white backdrop
2003 award winner Denis O'Hare
A man with a brown beard, mustache, and hair, wearing a blue and white suit with a grey undershirt
2011 award winner John Benjamin Hickey
Year[I] Actor Role Work Nominees Ref.[II]
1949 Kennedy, ArthurArthur Kennedy Biff Loman Death of a Salesman — [2]
1950[III] — — — — —
1951 Wallach, EliEli Wallach Alvaro Mangiacavallo The Rose Tattoo — <ref name="1951_Awards>Williams, Tennessee (1951). The Rose Tattoo: play in 3 acts. Dramatists Play Service. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-8222-0971-3.</ref>
1952 Cromwell, JohnJohn Cromwell John Gray Point of No Return — [7]
1953 Williams, JohnJohn Williams Inspector Hubbard Dial M for Murder — [8]
1954 Kerr, JohnJohn Kerr Tom Robinson Lee Tea and Sympathy — [9]
1955 Sullivan, Francis L.Francis L. Sullivan Sir Wilfrid Robats, Q.C. Witness for the Prosecution — [10]
1956 Begley, EdEd Begley Matthew Harrison Brady Inherit the Wind [11]
1957 Conroy, FrankFrank Conroy Father William Callifer The Potting Shed [12]
1958 Jones, HenryHenry Jones Louis McHenry Howe Sunrise At Campobello [13]
1959 Ruggles, CharlieCharlie Ruggles Mackenzie Savage The Pleasure of His Company [14]
1960 McDowall, RoddyRoddy McDowall Tarquin Edward Mendigales The Fighting Cock [15]
1961 Gabel, MartinMartin Gabel Basil Smythe Big Fish, Little Fish [16]
1962 Matthau, WalterWalter Matthau Benjamin Beaurevers A Shot in the Dark [17]
1963 Arkin, AlanAlan Arkin David Kolowitz Enter Laughing [18]
1964 Cronyn, HumeHume Cronyn Polonius Hamlet [19]
1965 Albertson, JackJack Albertson John Cleary The Subject Was Roses [20]
1966 Magee, PatrickPatrick Magee Marquis de Sade Marat/Sade [21]
1967 Holm, IanIan Holm Lenny The Homecoming [22]
1968 Patterson, JamesJames Patterson Stanley The Birthday Party [23]
1969 Pacino, AlAl Pacino Bickham Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie? [24]
1970 Howard, KenKen Howard Paul Reese Child's Play [25]
1971 Sand, PaulPaul Sand Multiple[IV] Paul Sills' Story Theatre —
1972 Gardenia, VincentVincent Gardenia Harry Edison The Prisoner of Second Avenue [26]
1973 Lithgow, JohnJohn Lithgow Kenny Kendal The Changing Room [27]
1974 Flanders, EdEd Flanders Phil Hogan A Moon for the Misbegotten [28]
1975 Langella, FrankFrank Langella Leslie Seascape [29]
1976 Herrmann, EdwardEdward Herrmann Frank Gardner Mrs. Warren's Profession [5]
1977 Pryce, JonathanJonathan Pryce Gethin Price Comedians [30]
1978 Rawlins, LesterLester Rawlins Drumm Da [31]
1979 Gough, MichaelMichael Gough Ernest Bedroom Farce [32]
1980 Rounds, DavidDavid Rounds Homer Bolton Morning's at Seven [33]
1981 Backer, BrianBrian Backer Paul Pollack The Floating Light Bulb [34]
1982 Mokae, ZakesZakes Mokae Sam Master Harold...and the Boys [35]
1983 Broderick, MatthewMatthew Broderick Eugene Jerome Brighton Beach Memoirs [36]
1984 Mantegna, JoeJoe Mantegna Richard Roma Glengarry Glen Ross [37]
1985 Miller, BarryBarry Miller Arnold Epstein Biloxi Blues [38]
1986 Mahoney, JohnJohn Mahoney Artie Shaughnessy The House of Blue Leaves [39]
1987 Randolph, JohnJohn Randolph Ben Broadway Bound [40]
1988 Wong, BDBD Wong Song Liling M. Butterfly [41]
1989 Gaines, BoydBoyd Gaines Peter Patrone The Heidi Chronicles [42]
1990 Durning, CharlesCharles Durning Big Daddy Cat on a Hot Tin Roof [43]
1991 Spacey, KevinKevin Spacey "Uncle" Louie Lost in Yonkers [44]
1992 Fishburne, LaurenceLaurence Fishburne Sterling Two Trains Running [45]
1993 Spinella, StephenStephen Spinella Prior Walter Angels in America: Millennium Approaches [46]
1994 Wright, JeffreyJeffrey Wright Multiple[V] Angels in America: Perestroika —
1995 Glover, JohnJohn Glover John and James Jeckyll Love! Valour! Compassion! [47]
1996 Santiago-Hudson, RubenRuben Santiago-Hudson Canewell Seven Guitars [48]
1997 Teale, OwenOwen Teale Torvald Helmer A Doll's House [49]
1998 Murphy, TomTom Murphy Ray Dooley The Beauty Queen of Leenane [50]
1999 Wood, FrankFrank Wood Gene Side Man [51]
2000 Dotrice, RoyRoy Dotrice Phil Hogan A Moon for the Misbegotten [52]
2001 Leonard, Robert SeanRobert Sean Leonard A. E. Housman, from ages 18 to 26 The Invention of Love [53]
2002 Langella, FrankFrank Langella Flegont Alexandrovitch Tropatchov Fortune's Fool [54]
2003 O'Hare, DenisDenis O'Hare Mason Marzak Take Me Out [55]
2004 O'Byrne, Brían F.Brían F. O'Byrne Ralph Frozen [56]
2005 Schreiber, LievLiev Schreiber Richard Roma Glengarry Glen Ross [57]
2006 McDiarmid, IanIan McDiarmid Teddy Faith Healer [58]
2007 Crudup, BillyBilly Crudup Vissarion Belinsky The Coast of Utopia [59]
2008 Norton, JimJim Norton Richard Harkin The Seafarer [60]
2009 Robinson, RogerRoger Robinson Bynum Walker Joe Turner's Come and Gone [61]
2010 Redmayne, EddieEddie Redmayne Ken Red [62]
2011 Hickey, John BenjaminJohn Benjamin Hickey Felix Turner The Normal Heart [63]
2012 Borle, ChristianChristian Borle Black Stache Peter and the Starcatcher [64]
2013 Vance, Courtney B.Courtney B. Vance Hap Hairston Lucky Guy [65]
2014 Rylance, MarkMark Rylance Countess Olivia Twelfth Night [6]
2015

See also

Notes

^[I] Each year is linked to the article about the Tony Awards held that year.
^[II] The "Ref." cites the role the winning actor portrayed in the work; the award winners and nominees are referenced by the general reference.
^[III] The Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play was not presented in 1950.
^[IV] Paul Sills' Story Theatre consists of ten one-act plays.[66] Sand portrayed Cowherd in "The Little Peasant", the Rich Peasant in "The Little Peasant", Robber Bridegroom in "The Robber Bridegroom", Turkey Lurkey in "Henny Penny", Clerk in "The Master Thief", Soldier in "The Master Thief", Simpleton in "The Golden Goose", and Hound in "Town Musicians of Bremen".[67]
^[V] Wright portrayed Mr. Lies, Belize, and a member of the Council of Principalities.[68]

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ Kirkley, Donald (April 21, 1968). "Operation Frenzy Before the Tony Awards". The Baltimore Sun (Tribune Company). p. T2. Retrieved December 24, 2011. (subscription required)
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wilmeth, Don B. (2007). The Cambridge Guide to American Theatre. Cambridge University Press. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-521-83538-1.
  3. ↑ Simons, Linda Keir (1994). The Performing Arts: a Guide to the Reference Literature. ABC-CLIO. p. 137. ISBN 978-0-87287-982-9.
  4. ↑ Gelb, Arthur (April 1, 1956). "Popularizing the Tony Awards". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved January 14, 2011. (subscription required)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Rock musicals past their peak?". The Columbus Dispatch (Dispatch Printing Company). October 4, 1967. p. 4. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Brantley, Ben (November 5, 2013). "Boys Will Be Boys (and Sometimes Girls)". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  7. ↑ Osborn, Paul (1952). Point of No Return. Samuel French, Inc. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-573-61409-5.
  8. ↑ Knott, Frederick (1954). Dial "M" for Murder. Dramatists Play Service. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8222-0305-6.
  9. ↑ Dimmitt, Richard Bertrand (1967). An actor guide to the talkies: a comprehensive listing of 8,000 feature-length films from January, 1949, until December, 1964. Scarecrow Press. p. 994.
  10. ↑ Christie, Agatha (1982). Witness for the Prosecution: a play in three acts. Samuel French, Inc. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-573-61800-0.
  11. ↑ Lawrence, Jerome; Lee, Robert Edwin (1963). Inherit the Wind. Dramatists Play Service. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-8222-0570-8.
  12. ↑ Greene, Graham (1958). The Potting Shed: a play in three acts. Samuel French, Inc. p. 7. ISBN 978-0-7611-0161-1.
  13. ↑ Schary, Dore (1961). Sunrise at Campobello: a play in three acts. Dramatists Play Service. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-8222-1101-3.
  14. ↑ Taylor, Samuel (1961). The Pleasure of His Company. Dramatists Play Service. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-8222-0901-0.
  15. ↑ Anouilh, Jean (1960). The Fighting Cock. Coward-McCann. p. 9.
  16. ↑ New York theatre critics' reviews 22. Critics' Theatre Reviews, Inc. 1961. p. 326.
  17. ↑ Kurnitz, Harry (1962). A Shot in the Dark: a comedy in three acts. Samuel French, Inc. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-573-61538-2.
  18. ↑ Stein, Joseph (1963). Enter Laughing: a comedy in two acts. Samuel French, Inc. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-573-60864-3.
  19. ↑ Brantley, Ben (2001). The New York Times book of Broadway: on the Aisle for the Unforgettable Plays of the Last Century. Macmillan Publishers. p. 159. ISBN 978-0-312-28411-4.
  20. ↑ Gilroy, Frank Daniel (1962). The Subject Was Roses: a play in two acts. Samuel French, Inc. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-573-61592-4.
  21. ↑ Terry, Clifford (May 1, 1967). "'Marat-Sade Film Transcends Play". Chicago Tribune (Tribune Company). p. B15. Retrieved December 12, 2011. (subscription required)
  22. ↑ Inverne, James (July 9, 2001). "The Sounds of Silence". Time (Time Inc). Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  23. ↑ Clive, Barnes (October 4, 1967). "The Theater: Pinter's 'Birthday Party'; First Full-Length Play by Briton Is at Booth". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). p. 40. Retrieved December 12, 2011. (subscription required)
  24. ↑ Petersen, Don (1969). Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?: a play in three acts. Dramatists Play Service. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8222-0318-6.
  25. ↑ Marasco, Robert (1970). Child's Play. Samuel French, Inc. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-573-60702-8.
  26. ↑ Simon, Neal (1972). The Prisoner of Second Avenue: a comedy in two acts. Samuel French, Inc. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8222-0318-6.
  27. ↑ Hischak, Thomas S.; Bordman, Gerald Martin (2001). American Theatre: a Chronicle of Comedy and Drama, 1969–2000. Oxford University Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-19-512347-0.
  28. ↑ "A Moon For the Misbegotten (1975)". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 20, 2011.
  29. ↑ Albee, Edward (1975). Seascape. Dramatists Play Service. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8222-1004-7.
  30. ↑ "Profile: Jonathan Pryce". BBC. June 12, 2009. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  31. ↑ Kingston, Jennifer A. (March 29, 1988). "Lester Rawlins, 63, Stage TV Actor; Won Tony for 'Da'". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  32. ↑ Kelly, Kevin (April 25, 1979). "Bedroom Farce' an anticlimax". The Boston Globe (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 22, 2011. (subscription required)
  33. ↑ Kerr, Walter (April 11, 1980). "Stage: 'Morning's at 7,' Laughter at Twilight; 4 Sisters, 3 Husbands". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  34. ↑ "Backer scores in Allen play". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. May 22, 1981. p. 20. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  35. ↑ Gussow, Mel (March 21, 1982). "Stage View; Two New Plays About the World of Black South Africa". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  36. ↑ Ringel, Eleanor (April 1, 1988). "'Cute' Matthew Broderick grows into bigger roles". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Journal Communications). Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  37. ↑ Mamet, David (1984). Glengarry Glen Ross: a play. Grove Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-0-8021-3091-4.
  38. ↑ Rich, Frank (March 29, 1985). "Stage: 'Biloxi Blues,' Simon's New Comedy". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  39. ↑ Harrison, Thomas B. (May 25, 1987). "The pain of reality lives in 'House of Blue Leaves'". St. Petersburg Times (Times Publishing Company). p. 1D. Retrieved December 23, 2011. (subscription required)
  40. ↑ Simon, Neal (1987). Broadway Bound. Samuel French, Inc. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-573-69053-2.
  41. ↑ Rich, Frank (March 21, 1988). "Review/Theater; 'M. Butterfly,' a Story Of a Strange Love, Conflict and Betrayal". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  42. ↑ Wasserstein, Wendy (1990). The Heidi Chronicles. Dramatists Play Service. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-8222-0510-4.
  43. ↑ Rich, Frank (March 22, 1990). "Review/Theater; Turner and Durning in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 23, 2011.
  44. ↑ "Spacey Broadway bound after London stage success". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 22, 2006. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  45. ↑ Drake, Sylvie (January 17, 1992). "Stage Review: 'Two Trains' Now Runs Smoother". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  46. ↑ Rich, Frank (May 5, 1993). "Review/Theater: Angels in America; Millennium Approaches; Embracing All Possibilities in Art and Life". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  47. ↑ Canby, Vincent (February 15, 1995). "Theater Review: Love! Valour! Compassion!; 'Love!' Hits Broadway Running, Like a Broadway Hit". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  48. ↑ Elam, Harry Justin (2006). The Past as Present in the Drama of August Wilson. University of Michigan Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-472-03163-4.
  49. ↑ "Best Featured Actor in a Play: Owen Teale". Playbill. June 1, 1997. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  50. ↑ McDonagh, Martin (1999). The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Dramatists Play Service. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8222-1664-3.
  51. ↑ Leight, Warren (2000). Side Man. Dramatists Play Service. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-8222-1721-3.
  52. ↑ Taitte, Lawson (March 22, 2000). "O'Neill's 'Moon' rises in full glory Brilliant cast meets high level of previous stagings". The Dallas Morning News (A. H. Belo). Retrieved December 24, 2011. (subscription required)
  53. ↑ Brantley, Ben (March 30, 2001). "Theater Review; Housman's Hell, Stoppard's Style". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 24, 2011.
  54. ↑ "Superb actors with roots at W.T.F.". The Berkshire Eagle (MediaNews Group). June 13, 2002. Retrieved December 24, 2011. (subscription required)
  55. ↑ Weber, Bruce (June 1, 2003). "Theater/The Tony Awards; Sing Out, Mason: Making an Accountant Bloom". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  56. ↑ Lavery, Paul (2004). Bryony. Dramatists Play Service. p. 3. ISBN 978-0-8222-1945-3.
  57. ↑ McCarter, Jeremy (May 2, 2005). "David Mamet's Unreal Estate". The New York Sun (ONE SL LLC). Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  58. ↑ Brantley, Ben (May 5, 2006). "Ralph Fiennes, Portraying the Gaunt Genius in 'Faith Healer'". The New York Times (The New York Times Company). Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  59. ↑ Grode, Eric (May 2, 2005). "Too Much Utopia". The New York Sun (ONE SL LLC). Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  60. ↑ Gardner, Elysa (June 16, 2008). "Best of Broadway front and center at Tonys". USA Today (Gannett Company). Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  61. ↑ Rawson, Christopher (April 20, 2009). "A powerful 'Joe Turner' brings August Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle back to Broadway". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Block Communications). Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  62. ↑ Kuchwara, Michael (April 1, 2010). "Review: 'Red' examines an artist, act of creation". The San Diego Union-Tribune (Doug Manchester). Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  63. ↑ Lunden, Jeff (May 17, 2011). "The Normal Heart,' Still Pumping Love And Fury". NPR. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  64. ↑ Rawson, Christopher (June 3, 2012). "Stage reviews: 'Starcatcher' is fun; 'Clybourne' reflective". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Block Communications). Retrieved June 10, 2012.
  65. ↑ Semuels, Alana (June 9, 2013). "Tonys 2013: Courtney B. Vance says 'Broadway ain't for sissies'". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 22, 2014.
  66. ↑ Sills, Paul (1971). Story Theatre. Samuel French, Inc. pp. 5–6. ISBN 978-0-573-61429-3.
  67. ↑ "Paul Sills' Story Theatre". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  68. ↑ Guernsey, Otis L. (1994). The Best Plays of 1993–1994. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 428. ISBN 978-0-87910-183-1.

External links