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The Unbreakable Record: 9 Actors Who Share The Most Tony Awards For Best Leading Actor In A Play (Plus The 2024 Winner)

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The Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play is arguably the most prestigious accolade an actor can receive for their work on the Broadway stage. This award, presented annually by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League, celebrates the pinnacle of dramatic acting, recognizing performances that define a theatrical season.

As of the most recent ceremony, the 77th Annual Tony Awards in June 2024, the spotlight shone brightly on a new inductee into this celebrated history. The article below dives deep into the current winner, the competitive field of nominees, and the historical records that few actors have ever managed to break, offering a fresh, up-to-date look at the award's legacy.

The 2024 Tony Award Winner and Nominees: The Year of Jeremy Strong

The 77th Annual Tony Awards, held on June 16, 2024, cemented a new name in the history books of Broadway’s elite. The competition for the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play was fierce, featuring a mix of stage veterans and celebrated screen stars making their mark on the Great White Way.

The Winner: Jeremy Strong

Jeremy Strong, best known for his Emmy-winning role as Kendall Roy on the HBO series *Succession*, took home the coveted prize for his electrifying performance as the principled Dr. Thomas Stockmann in the revival of Henrik Ibsen's classic, *An Enemy of the People*.

Strong’s performance was widely praised for its intensity and commitment, portraying a man who risks everything to speak an uncomfortable truth to his community. This win marks Strong's first Tony Award, a significant achievement that underscores the successful transition of major screen talent to the demanding world of Broadway drama.

Complete List of 2024 Best Leading Actor in a Play Nominees:

The 2024 field of nominees represented some of the most compelling and discussed performances of the season. The nominees were:

  • Jeremy Strong as Dr. Thomas Stockmann in An Enemy of the People (Winner)
  • William Jackson Harper as Astrov in Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya
  • Leslie Odom, Jr. as John Clark in Ossie Davis's Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch
  • Liev Schreiber as Father James in John Patrick Shanley's Doubt: A Parable
  • Michael Stuhlbarg as Arnold in Amy Herzog's Appropriate

The nominations highlighted a season rich with challenging revivals and powerful new works, demonstrating the enduring relevance of classic theatre and the emergence of new dramatic voices. Leslie Odom, Jr.'s nomination was particularly notable, as he previously won a Tony for his leading role in the musical *Hamilton*, showcasing his versatility across both genres.

The Elite Circle: Actors Who Share the All-Time Win Record

While a single Tony win is a career-defining moment, achieving multiple wins in the Best Leading Actor in a Play category is an extremely rare feat. In fact, no single actor holds the record outright with three or more wins. Instead, an elite group of actors shares the distinction of having the most wins in this category, with a total of two Tony Awards each.

This "two-win club" represents a pantheon of dramatic excellence, with their performances spanning decades of Broadway history. The actors who share this unbreakable record include:

  • Alan Bates: Known for his work in productions like *Butley* (1973) and *Fortune's Fool* (2002).
  • Bryan Cranston: A contemporary star who won for his powerful portrayals in *All the Way* (2014) and *Network* (2019).
  • Brian Dennehy: Celebrated for his monumental performances in Arthur Miller's *Death of a Salesman* (1999) and Eugene O’Neill’s *Long Day's Journey Into Night* (2003).
  • José Ferrer: An early legend of the award, winning for *Cyrano de Bergerac* (1947) and *The Shrike* (1952).
  • Judd Hirsch: Honored for his roles in *Talley's Folly* (1980) and *Conversations with My Father* (1992).
  • James Earl Jones: The iconic voice and stage presence won for *The Great White Hope* (1969) and *Fences* (1987).
  • Frank Langella: A versatile actor with wins for *Seascape* (1975) and *Frost/Nixon* (2007).
  • Fredric March: One of the original two-time winners, recognized for *Years Ago* (1947) and *Long Day's Journey Into Night* (1956).

The fact that this record has stood for decades, with new members joining but none surpassing two wins, speaks to the incredible difficulty of achieving consistent, award-winning excellence in leading dramatic roles on Broadway.

Notable Records, Facts, and LSI Keywords in Tony History

The history of the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play is filled with fascinating trivia and records that further establish its topical authority in the world of American theatre awards.

The Most Nominated Actor Who Never Won

While many actors have multiple wins, one name stands out for his sheer number of nominations without a win in this specific category: Jason Robards Jr. Often considered one of the greatest stage actors of his generation, Robards received a staggering eight Tony Award nominations for Leading Actor in a Play, more than any other male actor.

His nominated roles included iconic performances in plays like *Long Day's Journey Into Night* and *The Disenchanted*, cementing his legacy despite the absence of a competitive acting Tony, though he did receive a Special Tony Award in 1959.

Crossover Success: The Play and Musical Divide

The Tony Awards maintain a strict separation between plays and musicals, but a few performers have achieved success in both. While not in the Leading Actor in a Play category, Boyd Gaines holds the record for the most Tony Awards won by an actor (four), with his wins split between Featured Actor in a Play (*The Heidi Chronicles*), Leading Actor in a Musical (*She Loves Me*), and Featured Actor in a Musical.

Furthermore, the legendary Audra McDonald is the only person in history to win an acting Tony in all four performance categories: Lead Actress in a Musical, Lead Actress in a Play, Featured Actress in a Musical, and Featured Actress in a Play. This demonstrates the ultimate level of versatility and mastery across the Broadway stage.

Landmark Wins and Iconic Roles

Many of the most celebrated wins are tied to performances that became synonymous with the role:

  • Denzel Washington: His 2010 win for Troy Maxson in the revival of August Wilson's *Fences* was a major cultural moment, highlighting the enduring power of American drama.
  • Nigel Hawthorne: Won in 1991 for his portrayal of C.S. Lewis in *Shadowlands*, a performance that captured the profound depth of the intellectual and emotional life of the author.
  • Laurence Olivier: The legendary actor won in 1958 for his performance in *The Entertainer*, a rare win for a British star in an American awards show during that era.

The Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play continues to be a crucial barometer of dramatic excellence on Broadway. From the intense modern revival that earned Jeremy Strong his 2024 trophy to the historical giants who share the two-win record, this award is a testament to the enduring power of live theatre and the actors who bring its greatest characters to life.

The Unbreakable Record: 9 Actors Who Share the Most Tony Awards for Best Leading Actor in a Play (Plus the 2024 Winner)
tony award for best actor in a play
tony award for best actor in a play

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