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Norbert Leo Butz and Lauren Kennedy reunite to reflect on their journey as the original Cathy and Jamie in The Last Five Years. They share behind-the-scenes stories about the show's development, including how Jason Robert Brown shaped the music around their performances.
Norbert Leo Butz
Norbert Leo Butz made his Broadway debut as a swing in Rent (1996) before taking over the role of Roger Davis in 1997. His Broadway credits include Thou Shalt Not (2001–2002), which earned him his first Tony Award nomination; the original production of Wicked (2003) as Fiyero; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005), for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical; Is He Dead?
Date of Birth: January 30, 1967 (59)
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BIO
Norbert Leo Butz made his Broadway debut as a swing in Rent (1996) before taking over the role of Roger Davis in 1997. His Broadway credits include Thou Shalt Not (2001–2002), which earned him his first Tony Award nomination; the original production of Wicked (2003) as Fiyero; Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005), for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical; Is He Dead? (2007); Speed-the-Plow (2008–2009); ENRON (2010); Catch Me If You Can (2011), earning his second Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical; Dead Accounts (2012–2013); Big Fish (2013); the revival of My Fair Lady (2018), which earned another Tony Award nomination; and Vladimir (2024). His Off-Broadway credits include The Last Five Years, Saved, Juno and the Paycock, and Fifty Words (2008). He has also toured in Cabaret and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.
Butz's film credits include Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God... Be Back by Five, Noon Blue Apples, Dan in Real Life (2007), Higher Ground (2011), Greetings from Tim Buckley (2012), and Better Living Through Chemistry (2013).
On television, Butz appeared in the miniseries Comanche Moon (2008), starred in the ABC drama The Deep End (2010), guest starred as himself on Smash (2012), portrayed Kevin Rayburn in the Netflix series Bloodline (2015), and starred as Craig Maddox in the NBC science fiction drama Debris (2021). He also taught in the drama department at Drew University during the spring 2008 semester.
Most recently, he appeared in The Recipe at La Jolla Playhouse in 2026, and will appear in Are You Now or Have You Ever Been on Broadway in a guest role.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
[Off-Broadway]
Atlantic Theater Company Off-Broadway Premiere Production, 2023
Jacob
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Roger Davis [Replacement], Mark Cohen, Roger Davis (Understudy) [Replacement], Roger Davis (Understudy) [Replacement], Mark Cohen (Understudy) [Replacement]
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Norbert Leo Butz
Connection
Movies
Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God... Be Back by Five
[ 1998 ] Pawnbroker
[ 1998 ] Pawnbroker
Looking for an Echo
[ 2000 ] Vocals for Anthony, Norbert Butz
[ 2000 ] Vocals for Anthony, Norbert Butz
New World Order
[ 2002 ] Howard Philips
[ 2002 ] Howard Philips
West of Here
[ 2002 ] Josiah Blackwell
[ 2002 ] Josiah Blackwell
Wicked
[ 2003 ] Fiyero
[ 2003 ] Fiyero
Dan in Real Life
[ 2007 ] Clay
[ 2007 ] Clay
Fair Game
[ 2010 ] Steve
[ 2010 ] Steve
Higher Ground
[ 2011 ] Ptor Bill
[ 2011 ] Ptor Bill
Greetings from Tim Buckley
[ 2012 ] Hal Wilner
[ 2012 ] Hal Wilner
Disconnect
[ 2012 ] Peter
[ 2012 ] Peter
The English Teacher
[ 2013 ] Vice Principal Phil Pelki
[ 2013 ] Vice Principal Phil Pelki
Better Living Through Chemistry
[ 2014 ] Agent Andrew Carp
[ 2014 ] Agent Andrew Carp
Good Posture
[ 2019 ] Neil
[ 2019 ] Neil
Wonder Park
[ 2019 ] Peanut
[ 2019 ] Peanut
Luce
[ 2019 ] Principal Dan
[ 2019 ] Principal Dan
Give or Take
[ 2020 ] Ted
[ 2020 ] Ted
Flag Day
[ 2021 ] Doc
[ 2021 ] Doc
Better Nate Than Ever
[ 2022 ] Rex
[ 2022 ] Rex
A Complete Unknown
[ 2024 ] Alan Lomax
[ 2024 ] Alan Lomax
TV Shows
Bloodline
Kevin Rayburn
Kevin Rayburn
Mercy Street
Dr. Byron Hale
Dr. Byron Hale
American Sports Story
[ 2024 ] Bill Belichick
[ 2024 ] Bill Belichick
Awards and Nominations
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, My Fair Lady
Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, My Fair Lady
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Catch Me If You Can
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Catch Me If You Can
winner
Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Catch Me If You Can
winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2005 - Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
winner
Drama League Awards - 2005 - Distinguished Performance Award
Norbert Leo Butz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
winner
Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actor - Play
Norbert Leo Butz, Buicks
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Actor - Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, The Last 5 Years
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Thou Shalt Not
The Lortels - 2002 - Outstanding Lead Actor
Norbert Leo Butz, The Last 5 Years
Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Norbert Leo Butz, Thou Shalt Not
Videos
Watch Norbert Leo Butz Sing Along to RENT Title Track at Star-Studded Reunion Concert
by Michael Major - 2026-10-27 15:42:14
Video: RENT Original Cast and More Stars Perform 'Seasons of Love' at 30th Anniversary Concert
by Stephi Wild - 2026-10-27 05:43:36
Photos/Video: HADESTOWN Donates Costumes to Smithsonian Museum at 2,500th Performance
by Stephi Wild - 2026-10-19 05:28:33
Video: Amber Iman Performs 'Livin' It Up On Top' in HADESTOWN on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2026-10-05 13:40:17
Norbert Leo Butz Calls HADESTOWN a ‘Dream Come True’ as a New Cast Takes the Stage
by Sam Anctil - 2026-09-29 16:30:07
Photos/Video: ARE YOU NOW OR HAVE YOU EVER BEEN Starring Norbert Leo Butz, Bob Odenkirk, T.R. Knight, Molly Ringwald and More
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-07-16 18:03:02
Video: Jessica Phillips Sings WHAT WE LEAVE BEHIND Title Song
by Joshua Wright - 2025-09-16 17:06:22
Coming Up at 54 Below: Exclusive Previews from Kate Baldwin, Norbert Leo Butz & More
by Joey Mervis - 2025-03-03 11:28:19
Video: Norbert Leo Butz & Francesca Faridany Explain What VLADIMIR Is All About
by Joey Mervis - 2024-09-29 16:00:20
News
Exclusive: How a Madcap New Off-Broadway Show With a ‘Musical Theater F–kboy’ Became a Royal Affair
by Michael Gioia - Oct 30, 2026
Nat Zegree, Eric Holmes and the cast of their new Off-Broadway musical 'The King's Critique' are about to enter their royal era. Zegree exclusively tells BroadwayWorld how his and Holmes’ madcap new musical came together.
by Michael Gioia - Oct 30, 2026
Nat Zegree, Eric Holmes and the cast of their new Off-Broadway musical 'The King's Critique' are about to enter their royal era. Zegree exclusively tells BroadwayWorld how his and Holmes’ madcap new musical came together.
Photos & Video: RENT 30th Anniversary Concert Raises $4.5M for Broadway Cares
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 29, 2026
The Richard Rodgers Theatre and tens of thousands of at-home livestream viewers shared in the magic of Rent, the 30th Anniversary Concert. The performance and its livestream raised $4,571,464 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. See photos!
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 29, 2026
The Richard Rodgers Theatre and tens of thousands of at-home livestream viewers shared in the magic of Rent, the 30th Anniversary Concert. The performance and its livestream raised $4,571,464 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. See photos!
Así se vivió el 30º aniversario de RENT en Broadway de la mano de Andy Señor Jr.
by Adela González Pérez - Oct 28, 2026
El actor y director nos coló en el backstage del concierto benéfico que reunió al reparto original y grandes estrellas en Nueva York
by Adela González Pérez - Oct 28, 2026
El actor y director nos coló en el backstage del concierto benéfico que reunió al reparto original y grandes estrellas en Nueva York
Watch Norbert Leo Butz Sing Along to RENT Title Track at Star-Studded Reunion Concert
by Michael Major - Oct 27, 2026
If you wondered where the dozens of Rent stars were hanging out last night when they weren't onstage, Norbert Leo Butz is giving a backstage look. In a new Instagram video, the Tony winner sings along to the title number with several other alumni.
by Michael Major - Oct 27, 2026
If you wondered where the dozens of Rent stars were hanging out last night when they weren't onstage, Norbert Leo Butz is giving a backstage look. In a new Instagram video, the Tony winner sings along to the title number with several other alumni.
Photos: The Original Cast of RENT Reunites for 30th Anniversary- On the Red Carpet
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 27, 2026
There was no day but yesterday at the Richard Rodgers Theatre! The best of Broadway gathered on 46th Street last night for the highly anticipated 30th Anniversary Reunion of Rent. The celebration brought together members of Rent's original Broadway company with dozens of performers who have appeared in Jonathan Larson's musical over the past three decades. Check out photos from the star-studded red carpet here.
by Jennifer Broski - Oct 27, 2026
There was no day but yesterday at the Richard Rodgers Theatre! The best of Broadway gathered on 46th Street last night for the highly anticipated 30th Anniversary Reunion of Rent. The celebration brought together members of Rent's original Broadway company with dozens of performers who have appeared in Jonathan Larson's musical over the past three decades. Check out photos from the star-studded red carpet here.
Video: RENT Original Cast and More Stars Perform 'Seasons of Love' at 30th Anniversary Concert
by Stephi Wild - Oct 27, 2026
Watch a clip of original RENT cast members and more stars performing 'Seasons of Love' at the RENT 30th anniversary concert. Learn more about the event and check out the video here.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 27, 2026
Watch a clip of original RENT cast members and more stars performing 'Seasons of Love' at the RENT 30th anniversary concert. Learn more about the event and check out the video here.
Video: Watch Highlights From RENT's 30th Anniversary Concert on Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 26, 2026
Rent returned to Broadway tonight for a star-studded 30th anniversary concert at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Watch videos from the celebration featuring members of the musical's original company alongside performers from throughout its history.
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 26, 2026
Rent returned to Broadway tonight for a star-studded 30th anniversary concert at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Watch videos from the celebration featuring members of the musical's original company alongside performers from throughout its history.
Video: Original RENT Stars Perform 'I'll Cover You' on the TODAY SHOW
by Michael Major - Oct 26, 2026
As Broadway prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Rent on Monday night, stars from the original run appeared on the TODAY Show to perform 'I'll Cover You.' Watch the video now!
by Michael Major - Oct 26, 2026
As Broadway prepares to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Rent on Monday night, stars from the original run appeared on the TODAY Show to perform 'I'll Cover You.' Watch the video now!
Video: Aaron Tveit and Rachel Zegler Perform 'Without You' in Rehearsal For RENT 30th Anniversary Concert
by Stephi Wild - Oct 26, 2026
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has shared a video from rehearsal for the upcoming RENT 30th Anniversary Concert, featuring Aaron Tveit and Rachel Zegler performing 'Without You.' Watch the video here.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 26, 2026
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has shared a video from rehearsal for the upcoming RENT 30th Anniversary Concert, featuring Aaron Tveit and Rachel Zegler performing 'Without You.' Watch the video here.
Andy Señor Jr. hará un takeover en BroadwayWorld Spain por el 30º aniversario de RENT
by Adela González Pérez - Oct 23, 2026
El artista mostrará el backstage de la gala que reúne a Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Aaron Tveit y Rachel Zegler en Broadway
by Adela González Pérez - Oct 23, 2026
El artista mostrará el backstage de la gala que reúne a Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Aaron Tveit y Rachel Zegler en Broadway
RENT 30th Anniversary Concert Will Host a Behind-the-Scenes Pre-Show Livestream
by Stephi Wild - Oct 23, 2026
The 30th anniversary concert celebration of RENT will include an exclusive behind-the-scenes pre-show for livestream viewers, hosted by Troy Iwata and Jay Armstrong Johnson, with Ricki Lake as red carpet correspondent.
by Stephi Wild - Oct 23, 2026
The 30th anniversary concert celebration of RENT will include an exclusive behind-the-scenes pre-show for livestream viewers, hosted by Troy Iwata and Jay Armstrong Johnson, with Ricki Lake as red carpet correspondent.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 20, 2026- Inside SPRING AWAKENING Rehearsal and More
by - Oct 20, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 20, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Oct 20, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 20, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY Cast Announced by Theatre Raleigh
by Rachel Stone - Oct 19, 2026
Theatre Raleigh has announced the cast for its holiday production MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice featuring Kevin Rico from Broadway's HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 19, 2026
Theatre Raleigh has announced the cast for its holiday production MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, a sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice featuring Kevin Rico from Broadway's HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD.
Taye Diggs, Neil Patrick Harris, Rachel Zegler and More Join RENT 30th Anniversary Concert
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 19, 2026
Rachel Zegler, Neil Patrick Harris, Norbert Leo Butz and Taye Diggs will perform in the RENT 30th Anniversary Concert, with a live stream available for audiences to watch.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 19, 2026
Rachel Zegler, Neil Patrick Harris, Norbert Leo Butz and Taye Diggs will perform in the RENT 30th Anniversary Concert, with a live stream available for audiences to watch.
Photos/Video: HADESTOWN Donates Costumes to Smithsonian Museum at 2,500th Performance
by Stephi Wild - Oct 19, 2026
The Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning musical Hadestown donated two costumes to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History as the production celebrated its 2,500th Broadway performance. Check out photos and videos from the evening here!
by Stephi Wild - Oct 19, 2026
The Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning musical Hadestown donated two costumes to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History as the production celebrated its 2,500th Broadway performance. Check out photos and videos from the evening here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 19, 2026- OTHER DESERT CITIES Returns to Broadway
by - Oct 19, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 19, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
by - Oct 19, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 19, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Exclusive: Norbert Leo Butz Stars as 'Hermes' in HADESTOWN on Broadway
by Michael Major - Oct 16, 2026
See exclusive photos of Norbert Leo Butz as 'Hermes' in Hadestown on Broadway. The Tony Award winner took over the role in September, alongside Jasmin Savoy Brown, Ben Davis, Amber Iman, and Kayko.
by Michael Major - Oct 16, 2026
See exclusive photos of Norbert Leo Butz as 'Hermes' in Hadestown on Broadway. The Tony Award winner took over the role in September, alongside Jasmin Savoy Brown, Ben Davis, Amber Iman, and Kayko.
Patti LuPone, Darren Criss, Laura Bell Bundy and More Set for THE BROADWAY CRUISE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2026
The Broadway Cruise will sail from Miami with performances by Patti LuPone, Norm Lewis, and the cast of MAMA I'M A BIG GIRL NOW, along with Q&As, workshops, and tribute shows featuring Broadway creators.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 15, 2026
The Broadway Cruise will sail from Miami with performances by Patti LuPone, Norm Lewis, and the cast of MAMA I'M A BIG GIRL NOW, along with Q&As, workshops, and tribute shows featuring Broadway creators.
Video: Norbert Leo Butz Sings 'Way Down Hadestown'
by Rachel Stone - Oct 10, 2026
Norbert Leo Butz performs 'Way Down Hadestown' as Hermes in a new clip from the Broadway production at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where he joined the cast this fall.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 10, 2026
Norbert Leo Butz performs 'Way Down Hadestown' as Hermes in a new clip from the Broadway production at the Walter Kerr Theatre, where he joined the cast this fall.
HEARTLAND Soundtrack to Release on Netflix Music
by Rachel Stone - Oct 6, 2026
Netflix's HEARTLAND soundtrack will release with a title track performed by Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Nettles. The album features songs from the film's cast including Carter Faith, Ross Lynch, John Hawkes, Carly Pearce and Margo Price.
by Rachel Stone - Oct 6, 2026
Netflix's HEARTLAND soundtrack will release with a title track performed by Jessica Chastain and Jennifer Nettles. The album features songs from the film's cast including Carter Faith, Ross Lynch, John Hawkes, Carly Pearce and Margo Price.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Norbert Leo Butz been in?
Norbert Leo Butz has appeared on Broadway in 12 shows.
How many West End shows has Norbert Leo Butz been in?
Norbert Leo Butz has not appeared in the West End.
What awards has Norbert Leo Butz been nominated for?
Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for My Fair Lady, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for My Fair Lady, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Catch Me If You Can, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Catch Me If You Can, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Catch Me If You Can, Best Leading Actor in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Buicks, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Last 5 Years, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Thou Shalt Not , Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for The Last 5 Years and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Thou Shalt Not.
What awards has Norbert Leo Butz won?
Norbert Leo Butz has received numerous accolades throughout his Broadway career. His awards and recognitions include: **My Fair Lady** - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) **Catch Me If You Can** - Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) **Dirty Rotten Scoundrels** - Best Leading Actor in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) - Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) - Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) - Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) **Buicks** - Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) **The Last 5 Years** - Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards)
Podcasts
Ep299 - Norbert Leo Butz: Acting Needs an Audience
A two-time Tony Award-winning actor and singer, Norbert Leo Butz opens up about his childhood, the challenges he faced pursuing a career in acting, and the remarkable twists of fate that brought him to Broadway.
#90 - Now Batting: Norbert Leo Butz
From June 2021. We have the honor of welcoming our very first Tony Award-winner to The Batter's Box, as the great Norbert Leo Butz joins us for Episode 90!
NORBERT LEO FREAKING BUTZ IS HERE!!!! 11 Broadway shows. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Rent, Wicked, My Fair Lady... Have you seen Bloodline? Just stop what you're doing and watch the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Tony performance and then binge Bloodline.
Ep6 - Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels- 2005)
Growing up in the midwest the seventh of eleven children- Norbert Leo Butz was surprisingly unaware of The Tony Awards. If he had practiced any speech in his bathroom mirror it most likely would have been for the Academy Awards or Grammy Awards yet here he is - a two time Tony Award winner.
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