Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, Michael Crawford in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, 1988

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, a look at some of the Tony Awards' most memorable moments from the past three decades.

Despite being a popular stage, film and television star, before 1986, words like "mysterious" and "seductive" weren't often used when describing performances by British actor Michael Crawford. Early on, his goofy charm, knack for physical comedy and sweet pop tenor helped him land plum roles like the juvenile Hero in Richard Lester's 1966 film version of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.

The next year he made his Broadway debut in a pairing of Peter Shaffer plays, BLACK COMEDY / WHITE LIES, where the big laughs he earned nightly by running into walls and falling down stairs were noticed by no less than Gene Kelly, who would cast Crawford as Cornelius Hackl when directing the film of HELLO, DOLLY!

Back home in Britain, the popular sitcom "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em" proved an excellent vehicle for Crawford's comical stunt work, and in 1981, after training with The Big Apple Circus, he earned his first Olivier Award for starring in BARNUM.

So when it was announced that the ace comedian was Andrew Lloyd Webber's preference to play the mysterious and seductive title role in THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, the choice raised more than a few eyebrows. But with the actor taking on a more majestic bearing and deepening his voice into a melodious baritone, a second Olivier Award was soon followed by his first Tony.

After his "Music Of The Night" seduction of leading lady Sarah Brightman mesmerized viewers of the 1988 Tony telecast, an overwhelmed Michael Crawford seemed to turn back into the sweet, goofy juvenile when presented with his award by Bernadette Peters and Joel Grey.

The American Theatre Wing's 70th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Tony Award winner James Corden, will air on the CBS Television Network on Sunday, June 12, 2016 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City.