Harvey Fierstein
Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA
CATCH AS A CAN & More Lead Chicago's June 2026 Top Theatre Shows (Jun 3, 2026)
Review: MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Fred Kavil Theatre (May 31, 2026)
CUL-DE-SAC and HOUSE GYALZ to Receive Staged Readings at La MaMa (May 28, 2026)
BIO
At the 78th Annual Tony Awards, Harvey Fierstein took the stage to accept a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. His other Tony Awards include two for Torch Song Trilogy (Best Play and Best Actor in a Play) as well as Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical for La Cage Aux Folles and Best Actor in a Musical for Hairspray.
Fierstein has also written the Tony-winning hit Kinky Boots along with Newsies, Casa Valentina, A Catered Affair, Safe Sex, Bella Bella!, Legs Diamond, Spookhouse, Flatbush Tosca, Common Ground and more. He revised the book for Funny Girl, which had a hit run on Broadway and a multi-city North American tour, following its London production. His children’s book, The Sissy Duckling (Humanitas Award), is now in its fifth printing, and his New York Times bestselling memoir I Was Better Last Night is available on Knopf.
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
.jpg?format=auto&width=600)
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Playwright
Movies
[ 1984 ] Bernie Whitlock
[ 1988 ] Arnold Beckoff
[ 1993 ] Bob Lakin
[ 1993 ] Frank Hillard
[ 1994 ] Sid Loomis
[ 1995 ] Yves DuBois
[ 1996 ] Marty Gilbert
[ 1996 ] The Moyle
[ 1997 ] Art Hoarder
[ 1997 ] Juba
[ 1998 ] Leo
[ 1998 ] Yao
[ 1999 ] Dish Macense
[ 2000 ] Bennett
[ 2002 ] Merv Green
[ 2003 ] Kenneth
[ 2006 ] Sheila
[ 2012 ] Fat Cat Burglar
[ 2017 ] Esmerelda
[ 2017 ] writer
[ 2019 ] writer
[ 2022 ] Louis
TV Shows
Jerome
Buster Keaton, Tracy
Awards and Nominations
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song
winner
Harvey Fierstein
Harvey Fierstein, Casa Valentina
Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Newsies
Harvey Fierstein, Newsies the Musical
Harvey Fierstein, A Catered Affair
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray
Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray
Harvey FiersteinTorch Song Trilogy
Harvey Fierstein, La Cage aux Folles
winner
Harvey Fierstein, La Cage aux Folles
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
winner
Harvey Fierstein , Torch Song Trilogy
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
winner
Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy
Videos
Video: Nathan Lane Explains How DEATH OF A SALESMAN Achieves Intimacy at the Winter Garden
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-05-05 09:08:42
Video: Billy Porter Sings 'A Little More Mascara' In Rehearsals for Encores! LA CAGE AUX FOLLES
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-04-14 10:12:15
Video: Marc Kudisch Sings 'Just in Time' & 'I Met A Girl' from BELLS ARE RINGING at 54 Below
by Michael Major - 2026-02-13 11:15:25
Video: KINKY BOOTS Tour Stars Perform Acoustic 'Not My Father's Son'
by Michael Major - 2026-01-09 10:00:20
Video: Norm Lewis Performs 'Song on the Sand' from LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at The Muny
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-08-04 17:58:15
Video: Harvey Fierstein Responds to Special Tony for Lifetime Achievement
by Joey Mervis - 2025-06-08 21:56:51
Exclusive: Harvey Fierstein Looks Back on His Life in the Theatre
by Backstage Live with Richard Ridge - 2025-06-06 11:13:30
Video: Inside the New York Public Library's Harvey Fierstein Theatre Lab
by Robert Diamond - 2024-12-23 17:27:50
Video: First Look at Alexis Michelle in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Barrington Stage Company
by Joshua Wright - 2024-06-25 10:14:06
Video: More Rehearsal Footage from LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Barrington Stage Company
by Joshua Wright - 2024-06-12 17:07:45
Video: In Rehearsals with LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Barrington Stage Company
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-06-08 15:18:40
Video: FUNNY GIRL's Katerina McCrimmon Performs National Anthem for the San Francisco Giants
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-05-18 15:41:28
Video: Katerina McCrimmon & Melissa Manchester Talk FUNNY GIRL on ABC7 News Bay Area
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-05-04 16:58:12
Video: Stephen Mark Lukas Talks FUNNY GIRL Tour on CBS Los Angeles
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-04-13 13:08:38
Video: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, SHE LOVES ME Lyricist Sheldon Harnick Celebrated At Star-Studded Memorial
by A.A. Cristi - 2023-11-10 17:55:16
VIDEO: FUNNY GIRL Announces Broadway Closing; New Performance Montage
by Team BWW - 2023-03-02 08:59:20
News
by Team BWW - Jun 3, 2026
Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for June 2026 include Catch as a Can and more
by Cary Ginell - May 31, 2026
What did our critic think of MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Fred Kavil Theatre?
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2026
La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club has announced staged readings of CUL-DE-SAC by Leslie Gauthier and HOUSE GYALZ by Abigail C. Onwunali, this year's Morgan Jenness Experiments in Playwriting Fellows.
by James Lindhorst - May 28, 2026
When The Muny opens their production of Hairspray on June 15, 2026, the legendary Richard Kind will don Edna Turnblad’s housecoat and step into her fuzzy house slippers. Kind, star of stage, screen and film, calls it bucket list moments to get to perform at The Muny and play Edna all at the same time.
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2026
La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club will present COFFEEHOUSE CHRONICLES #183 — AN AFTERNOON WITH AGOSTO MACHADO on Saturday, May 30 at 3 p.m. at the Ellen Stewart Theatre.
by Steve Murray - May 22, 2026
What did our critic think of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES at Theatre Rhinoceros?
by Michael Major - May 22, 2026
Get your first listen to La Cage Aux Folles as the 28-piece Encores! Orchestra brings the sweeping, original 1983 orchestrations to life. Watch a new video of Guest Music Director Joseph Joubert conduct the orchestra through Jerry Herman’s score.
by A.A. Cristi - May 20, 2026
Matt Cardle honored Johannes Radebe during a curtain call speech following a performance of KINKY BOOTS at the London Coliseum. Radebe currently stars as Lola in the musical through July 11, 2026. Watch the video.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 15, 2026
Disney's Newsies The Musical will be presented at at the Hylton Performing Arts Center's Gregory Family Theater, directed by Caroline Scarborough with a cast of nearly 30 performers.
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2026
A new trailer has been released for the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical starring Strictly Come Dancing's Johannes Radebe and X-Factor winner Matt Cardle. Check out the video here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 14, 2026
San Francisco Playhouse has revealed the full cast and creative team for Hairspray, the eight-time Tony Award-winning musical featuring songs including “You Can’t Stop the Beat” and “Good Morning Baltimore.”
by A.A. Cristi - May 12, 2026
Springboard to Design announced a year-long, tuition-free virtual mentorship fellowship for high school students and emerging designers ages 18–25 from underrepresented backgrounds pursuing careers in theatre design.
by Stephi Wild - May 12, 2026
The Muny announced the principal cast for Disney's NEWSIES, starring Casey Likes, Michael Park, and Anastacia McCleskey, among others, in the production's first Forest Park return since 2017.
by Stephi Wild - May 11, 2026
Jon Cryer steps into The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Vice Principal Douglas Panch starting May 11 at New World Stages.
by Stephi Wild - May 11, 2026
KINKY BOOTS announced an in-person same-day lottery for $25 orchestra seats at Toronto's CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, where the Tony-winning musical is playing a limited engagement.
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2026
La Cage aux Folles at Théâtre du Châtelet will extend its run beyond the theater walls with a series of 17 performances at La Seine Musicale. Learn more about the show here!
by R. Scott Reedy - May 6, 2026
In most, if not all, other mountings of “Hairspray: The Broadway Musical,” Tracy Turnblad is tucked under her bedcovers when audiences first see the young heroine, ready to show off her high-teased bouffant and let loose with the first notes of the rousing opener, “Good Morning, Baltimore.”
by Josh Sharpe - May 5, 2026
Nathan Lane recently visited Late Night with Seth Meyers to discuss his turn as Willy Loman in the hit revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. Watch the interview, where he spoke about the intimate and cinematic nature of the new production, which is running at the Winter Garden Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced that André Bishop, Jules Fisher, and James Lapine will each receive the 2026 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2026
The Old Globe announced its annual gala, themed 'Escape Into a Fantasy,' will feature a special performance by Broadway star and multiple Emmy Award-winner Wayne Brady, with proceeds supporting the Globe's Arts Engagement department.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Harvey Fierstein has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.
Harvey Fierstein has not appeared in the West End.
Best Revival of a Play (Tony Awards) for Torch Song, Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees (), Best Play (Tony Awards) for Casa Valentina, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Kinky Boots, Best Book of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Newsies, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Newsies the Musical, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for A Catered Affair, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hairspray, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Hairspray, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Hairspray , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hairspray, Play of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for La Cage aux Folles, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for La Cage aux Folles , Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy , Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy, Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy, Best American Play (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy and Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy.
Harvey Fierstein has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the following: - Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees - Best Book of a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Newsies - Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hairspray - Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Hairspray - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hairspray - Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for La Cage aux Folles - Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy - Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy - Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy - Best Play (Tony Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy - Special Citations (Obie Awards) for Torch Song Trilogy.
Harvey Fierstein has written 13 shows including International Stud (Playwright), Torch Song Trilogy (Playwright), Torch Song Trilogy (Playwright), La Cage aux Folles (Bookwriter), Spookhouse (Playwright), Safe Sex (Playwright), Legs Diamond (Bookwriter), Safe Sex (Playwright), A Catered Affair (Bookwriter), Newsies (Bookwriter), Kinky Boots (Bookwriter), Casa Valentina (Playwright), Bella Bella (AUthor).
Videos
