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Harvey Fierstein

Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA

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BIO

Harvey Fierstein's theater work includes Torch Song Trilogy (Best Play, Best Actor, Tony and Drama Desk awards), Kinky Boots (Best Musical Tony), La Cage aux Folles (Best Book, Tony and Drama Desk awards), Newsies (Tony nominated), Casa Valentina (Tony nominated), A Catered Affair (12 Drama Desk nominations), Safe Sex (Ace Award), Legs Diamond, Spookhouse, Flatbush Tosca, and Freaky Pussy. He's written teleplays for NBC's "Hairspray Live!" and "The Wiz Live!" His revised script of Funny Girl, ran to critical acclaim in London and has been filmed for broadcast. His political editorials have appeared in The New York Times, TV Guide, Huffington Post and broadcast on PBS's "In the Life." Harvey's children's book, The Sissy Duckling, is now in its 8th printing, and the HBO animated special of the story won Harvey the Humanities Award. Mr. Fierstein has been recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and has been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame and the Brooklyn Walk of Fame.

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STAGE CREDITS

Bye Bye Birdie Bye Bye Birdie
[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Kennedy Center Production, 2020
Mae
Bella Bella Bella Bella
[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Performer
Gently Down the Stream Gently Down the Stream
[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Public Theatre Off-Broadway Production, 2017
Beau
Hairspray Live! Hairspray Live!
[Motion Picture]
NBC Live Televised Production, 2016
Edna Turnblad
La Cage aux Folles La Cage aux Folles
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2010
Albin [Replacement]
Fiddler on the Roof Fiddler on the Roof
[US Tour]
Touring Revival, 2009
Tevye [Replacement]
A Catered Affair A Catered Affair
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2008
Uncle Winston
Rags
[New York]
New York Concert, 2006
Avram
Hairspray
[Las Vegas]
Las Vegas Production, 2006
Edna Turnblad
Children And Art
[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer
Hair
[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2004
Performer
Other Roles
Fiddler on the Roof Fiddler on the Roof
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2004
Tevye [Replacement]
Hairspray Hairspray
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Edna Turnblad
Edna Turnblad [Replacement]
Safe Sex
[Off-Broadway]
1991
Ghee
The Haunted Host
[Off-Broadway]
1991
Jay Astor
Safe Sex
[Broadway]
1987
Ghee
Arthur
Torch Song Trilogy
[Broadway]
1982
Arnold Beckoff
Torch Song Trilogy
[Off-Broadway]
1982
Arnold Beckoff
International Stud
[Off-Broadway]
1978
Arnold

Productions

Funny GirlFunny Girl
 
[US Tour, 2023]
Book Revision
Funny GirlFunny Girl
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Revised Book
Funny GirlFunny Girl
 
[West End, 2016]
Revised Book
The Wiz Live!The Wiz Live!
 
[New York, 2015]
New Material
Funny GirlFunny Girl
 
[West End, 2015]
Revised Book
Kinky BootsKinky Boots
 
[Broadway, 2013]
Bookwriter
A Catered AffairA Catered Affair
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Producer

Writing

Safe Sex
Playwright
Playwright
Spookhouse
Playwright
Kinky Boots
Bookwriter
Casa Valentina
Playwright
Legs Diamond
Bookwriter

Movies

Garbo Talks
[ 1984 ] Bernie Whitlock
Torch Song Trilogy
[ 1988 ] Arnold Beckoff
The Harvest
[ 1993 ] Bob Lakin
Mrs. Doubtfire
[ 1993 ] Frank Hillard
Bullets Over Broadway
[ 1994 ] Sid Loomis
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde
[ 1995 ] Yves DuBois
Independence Day
[ 1996 ] Marty Gilbert
Everything Relative
[ 1996 ] The Moyle
White Lies
[ 1997 ] Art Hoarder
Kull the Conqueror
[ 1997 ] Juba
Safe Men
[ 1998 ] Leo
Mulan
[ 1998 ] Yao
Jump
[ 1999 ] Dish Macense
Playing Mona Lisa
[ 2000 ] Bennett
Death to Smoochy
[ 2002 ] Merv Green
Duplex
[ 2003 ] Kenneth
Farce of the Penguins
[ 2006 ] Sheila
Foodfight!
[ 2012 ] Fat Cat Burglar
Animal Crackers
[ 2017 ] Esmerelda
Disney's Newsies: The Broadway Musical!
[ 2017 ] writer
Kinky Boots: The Musical
[ 2019 ] writer
Bros
[ 2022 ] Louis

TV Shows

Big Mouth
Jerome
Family Guy
Buster Keaton, Tracy

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Revival of a Play

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song


winner
- 2017 - Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees

Harvey Fierstein

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Play

Harvey Fierstein, Casa Valentina

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Book of a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2012 - Best Book of a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, Newsies

Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Book of a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, Newsies the Musical

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, A Catered Affair


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray


winner
Drama League Awards - 2003 - Distinguished Performance Award

Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray


winner
Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, Hairspray

Olivier Awards - 1985 - Play of the Year

Harvey FiersteinTorch Song Trilogy

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Book of a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, La Cage aux Folles


winner
Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Book of a Musical

Harvey Fierstein, La Cage aux Folles


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Play

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1983 - Performance

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy


winner
Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Harvey Fierstein , Torch Song Trilogy


winner
Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Play

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Play

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1982 - Best American Play

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy


winner
Obie Awards - 1982 - Special Citations

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy

Videos

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News


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BWW Review: FUNNY GIRL - The Greatest Star Comes to the Ohio Theatre
by Christina Mancuso - Mar 26, 2025

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Fun and Delightful Musical UMA BABÁ QUASE PERFEITA (Mrs. Doubtfire) Opens in São Pa Photo
Fun and Delightful Musical UMA BABÁ QUASE PERFEITA (Mrs. Doubtfire) Opens in São Paulo
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KINKY BOOTS Begins Performances Next Week At The Kelsey Theatre Photo
KINKY BOOTS Begins Performances Next Week At The Kelsey Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 12, 2025

A struggling maker of men's shoes reverses his fortunes when he transforms his footwear from functional to fabulous with the help of an entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos in the hilarious musical 'Kinky Boots' for four evening and two afternoon performances at the Kelsey Theatre, March 21-30, on Mercer County Community College's West Windsor Campus.
KINKY BOOTS Coming to the Kelsey Theatre in March Photo
KINKY BOOTS Coming to the Kelsey Theatre in March
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 12, 2025

“Kinky Boots” will play for four evening and two afternoon performances at the Kelsey Theatre, March 21-30, on Mercer County Community College’s West Windsor Campus.
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La MaMa To Present ABOVE GROUND - NOT EXACTLY A COMEDY, A Reflection On Aging By Ten Actors Age 74-98
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Harvey Fierstein been in?

Harvey Fierstein has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Harvey Fierstein been in?

Harvey Fierstein has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Harvey Fierstein been nominated for?

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.

What awards has Harvey Fierstein won?

Harvey Fierstein has received numerous awards throughout his career. He was honored as a Legend of Off-Broadway. He won the Best Book of a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Newsies. At the Drama Desk Awards, he received Outstanding Actor in a Musical for Hairspray and the Distinguished Performance Award also for Hairspray. Additionally, he won the Tony Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Hairspray, and Best Book of a Musical for La Cage aux Folles. His work in Torch Song Trilogy earned him several accolades, including Outstanding Actor in a Play and Outstanding Play at the Drama Desk Awards, as well as a Performance Award at the Theatre World Awards. He also won the Tony Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play and Best Play for Torch Song Trilogy, along with Special Citations from the Obie Awards for the same production.

How many shows has Harvey Fierstein written?

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).

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