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Alan Cumming

Birth Place: Perthshire, SCOTLAND

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BIO

Alan Cumming is beyond eclectic. His most recent projects include lip-synching the protagonist in a documentary, directing a podcast series about a sperm bank heist, playing a gangster opposite Liam Neeson in a Neil Jordan film, curating a cabaret festival in Australia, and recording a duet with a Gaelic rapper.



Not surprisingly, Time called him one of the three most fun people in show business (the others were Cher and Stanley Tucci!). Thirty years ago, his Hamlet stormed the West End. A quarter of a century ago, he was a sensation as Cabaret’s Master of Ceremonies in a production that forever changed the Broadway landscape.

A decade ago, his visceral, virtually one-man Macbeth was a stunning, transatlantic coup de theatre. His screen work ranged from art house to blockbuster, cult to mainstream, including Mr. Floop in Spy Kids, Eli on “The Good Wife,” Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United, Boris in Goldeneye, King James on “Doctor Who,” Sandy Frink in Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Mayor Menlove on “Schmigadoon!” and himself on “Broad City.” He is the author of six books, including a New York Times #1 bestselling memoir, performs in concert regularly around the world, and co-owns his own eponymous cabaret bar, Club Cumming, a home for all ages, genders, colors, sexualities—where kindness is all and anything could happen.

He is a Tony and Olivier Award-winning actor, five-time Emmy nominee, Scottish BAFTA winner, British Comedy Award winner, Independent Spirit Award-winning producer, National Board of Review-winning director, Grammy and Golden Globe nominee, an Officer of the British Empire, and winner of over 40 awards for his humanitarianism.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Endgame Endgame
[West End]
Old Vic Theatre Production, 2020
Hamm
Daddy Daddy
[Off-Broadway]
The New Group & Vineyard Theatre World Premiere, 2019
Andre
White Rabbit Red Rabbit White Rabbit Red Rabbit
[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere Production, 2016
Performer [Replacement]
Cabaret Cabaret
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2014
Emcee
Alan Cumming's Macbeth Alan Cumming's Macbeth
[Broadway]
National Theatre of Scotland Production, 2013
Performer
Macbeth Macbeth
[New York]
Lincoln Centre Transfer, 2012
Macbeth
The Seagull
[Off-Broadway]
2008
Trigorin
The Threepenny Opera The Threepenny Opera
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2006
Macheath
The 24 Hour Plays 2003
[Broadway]
Special Benefit Production, 2003
Chris
Elle
[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer
Design For Living
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2001
Otto
Cabaret Cabaret
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 1998
Master of Ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies [Replacement]
Master of Ceremonies
Master of Ceremonies [Replacement]
Cabaret
[West End]
Donmar Warehouse Revival, 1993
Master of Ceremonies
The Threepenny Opera
[New York]
Reading, 2004
Macheath

Productions

Writing

Elle
Adaptation

Movies

Prague
[ 1992 ] Alexander Novak
Second Best
[ 1994 ] Bernard
Black Beauty
[ 1994 ] Black Beauty
GoldenEye
[ 1995 ] Boris Grishenko
Circle of Friends
[ 1995 ] Sean
Emma
[ 1996 ] Mr Elton
For My Baby
[ 1997 ] Daniel Orgelbrand
Buddy
[ 1997 ] Dick
Spice World
[ 1997 ] Piers
Romy and Michele's High School Reunion
[ 1997 ] Sandy Frink
Eyes Wide Shut
[ 1999 ] Desk Clerk
Plunkett & Macleane
[ 1999 ] Lord Rochester
Titus
[ 1999 ] Saturninus
Urbania
[ 2000 ] Brett
The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas
[ 2000 ] Gazoo, Mick Jagged
Company Man
[ 2000 ] General Batista
Get Carter
[ 2000 ] Jeremy Kinnear
Spy Kids
[ 2001 ] Fegan Floop
The Anniversary Party
[ 2001 ] Joe Therrian
Intimate Affairs
[ 2001 ] Sevy
Josie and the Pussycats
[ 2001 ] Wyatt Frame
Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams
[ 2002 ] Fegan Floop
Nicholas Nickleby
[ 2002 ] Mr. Folair
Spy Kids 3: Game Over
[ 2003 ] Fegan Floop
X2: X-Men United
[ 2003 ] Kurt Wagner, Nightcrawler
Garfield
[ 2004 ] Persnikitty
Bam Bam and Celeste
[ 2005 ] Eugene
Eighteen
[ 2005 ] Father Chris
Neverwas
[ 2005 ] Jake
Ripley Under Ground
[ 2005 ] Jeff Constant
Son of the Mask
[ 2005 ] Loki
Sweet Land
[ 2005 ] Young Frandsen
Gray Matters
[ 2006 ] Gordy
Full Grown Men
[ 2006 ] The Hitchhiker
Suffering Man's Charity
[ 2007 ] John Vandermark
Boogie Woogie
[ 2009 ] Dewey Dalamanatousis
Dare
[ 2009 ] Grant Matson
Burlesque
[ 2010 ] Alexis
Jackboots on Whitehall
[ 2010 ] Hitler, Braveheart
The Tempest
[ 2010 ] Sebtian
The Smurfs
[ 2011 ] Gutsy
Almost in Love
[ 2011 ] Hayden
Maladies
[ 2012 ] Alan
Outback
[ 2012 ] Bog
Sir Billi
[ 2012 ] Gordon
Any Day Now
[ 2012 ] Rudy Donatello
The Smurfs 2
[ 2013 ] Gutsy Smurf
Chu and Blossom
[ 2014 ] Uncle Jackie
Strange Magic
[ 2015 ] Bog King
Hurricane Bianca
[ 2016 ] Lawrence Taylor
Battle of the Sexes
[ 2017 ] CuthbertTedTinling
After Louie
[ 2017 ] Sam Cooper
Show Dogs
[ 2018 ] Dante
Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell My Daughter About Men
[ 2021 ] The Therapist
My Father's Dragon
[ 2022 ] Cornelius
Marlowe
[ 2022 ] Lou Hendricks

TV Shows

High Road
Jim Hunter
Instinct
Dr. Dylan Reinhart
Rick & Steve the Happiest Gay Couple in All the World
Chuck, Rupert, Zeke
Schmigadoon!
Mayor Aloysius Menlove
The Good Wife
Eli Gold
The High Life
Sebastian Flight
Web Therapy
Austen Clarke

Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

Alan Cumming, Cabaret


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2013 - Best Leading Actor in a Play

Alan Cumming, Macbeth

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Alan Cumming, Macbeth


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Alan Cumming, Cabaret


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Actor - Musical

Alan Cumming, Cabaret


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1998 - Performance

Alan Cumming, Cabaret


winner
Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Alan Cumming, Cabaret

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Actor in a Musical

Alan Cumming, Cabaret

Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Comedy Performance

Alan CummingLa Bete

Olivier Awards - 1992 - Best Comedy Performance

Alan CummingLa Bete


winner
Olivier Awards - 1991 - Comedy Performance of the Year

Alan CummingAccidental Death Of An Anarchist

Olivier Awards - 1988 - Most Promising Newcomer of the Year in Theatre

Alan CummingThe Conquest Of The South Pole

Videos

More Video

News


Interview: Tyler Joseph Ellis of SHUCKED at The Hobby Center For Performing Arts Photo
Interview: Tyler Joseph Ellis of SHUCKED at The Hobby Center For Performing Arts

I don't want to give too much away, but we are about corn, as you can see from all the marketing materials. But it's about a town called Cobb County that is somewhere sort of in the middle of the U.S.A. This town sort of runs on corn, but the corn starts dying, so a brave young woman has to leave the town, and accidentally enlists a con man to come back to the town with her, and hilarity ensues.
Gabrielle Stravelli, Klea Blackhurst, and Graham Rowat Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF Photo
Gabrielle Stravelli, Klea Blackhurst, and Graham Rowat Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB

The Fred Ebb Foundation and Birdland Jazz Club announced additional performers for Sing Happy: The Lyrics of Fred Ebb, which will take place next week at Birdland Jazz Club.
Alex Brightman, Sara Chase, and More Will Lead SCHMIGADOON! at the Kennedy Center Photo
Alex Brightman, Sara Chase, and More Will Lead SCHMIGADOON! at the Kennedy Center

The cast has been announced for the world premeire production of Schmigadoon! at the Kennedy Center. Learn more about who is starring in this new musical and find out how to get tickets here!
Wild Project Launches Fundraising Campaign To Purchase Building Photo
Wild Project Launches Fundraising Campaign To Purchase Building

Wild Project launched the #savewildproject campaign to buy its East Village building, ensuring a permanent home for NYC's independent arts. Learn more!
Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro Come to Westport Country Playhouse Photo
Alan Cumming and Ari Shapiro Come to Westport Country Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse will present Alan Cumming (“Cabaret,” “The Good Wife”) and Ari Shapiro (NPR’s “All Things Considered,” “Pink Martini”) with tunes and tall tales in 'Och & Oy! A Considered Cabaret.'
Cheeyang Ng and Eric Sorrels Will Receive 20th Annual Fred Ebb Award Photo
Cheeyang Ng and Eric Sorrels Will Receive 20th Annual Fred Ebb Award

The Fred Ebb Foundation will present the twentieth annual Fred Ebb Award for aspiring musical theatre songwriters to the team of Cheeyang Ng & Eric Sorrels. Learn more about the award and the ceremony here!
THE TRAITORS Sets Season 3 Premiere Date, New Contestants Photo
THE TRAITORS Sets Season 3 Premiere Date, New Contestants

Peacock’s Emmy Award®-winning competition-reality series The Traitors returns for a third season on January 9 with an all-new lineup of familiar faces, hosted again by Tony-winner Alan Cumming. 
Cynthia Erivo, Alan Cumming, & More Join Disney Jr. Series ROBOGOBO Photo
Cynthia Erivo, Alan Cumming, & More Join Disney Jr. Series ROBOGOBO

Broadway stars Cynthia Erivo, Alan Cumming, Ana Gasteyer, and more are all lending their voices to the latest Disney Jr. series RoboGobo.
Cinco Paul Reveals SCHMIGADOON! Season 3 Character Mashups Photo
Cinco Paul Reveals SCHMIGADOON! Season 3 Character Mashups

Schmigadoon! creator Cinco Paul has teased new characters written for the canceled third season of the show, including mashups of characters from Sunset Boulevard, Sunday in the Park with George, Side Show, and more.
Dina Martina Will Return to Sony Hall on Thanksgiving Weekend Photo
Dina Martina Will Return to Sony Hall on Thanksgiving Weekend

Dina Martina (a.k.a. “The Second Lady of Entertainment”) will bring her famed holiday trainwreck back to Sony Hall for the 6th year, in whats has become holiday tradition. 
Glenn Close to Receive Career Achievement Honor From AARP Photo
Glenn Close to Receive Career Achievement Honor From AARP

AARP Magazine has announced that Glenn Close will receive this year’s Movies for Grownups Career Achievement Award. Close will be honored at the annual Movies for Grownups (MFG) Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 11, 2025, in Beverly Hills, California. 
Spotlight: ALAN CUMMING: UNCUT at IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Photo
Spotlight: ALAN CUMMING: UNCUT at IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE

📢 JUST ANNOUNCED: Alan Cumming: Uncut | March 28, 2025
Bradley Riches, Amber Davies & Claudia Kariuki Join Scott Alan Live At Cadogan Hall Photo
Bradley Riches, Amber Davies & Claudia Kariuki Join Scott Alan Live At Cadogan Hall

Bradley Riches, Amber Davies, and Claudia Kariuki will join Amy di Bartolemeo, Oliver Tompsett, and Stuart Matthew Price as guest vocalists for internationally acclaimed songwriter SCOTT ALAN live at Cadogan Hall.
BWW TV: Joan Vázquez estrena el videoclip de Yo voy solo Photo
BWW TV: Joan Vázquez estrena el videoclip de Yo voy solo

Hoy 17 de octubre el actor, cantante y compositor Joan Vázquez ha publicado el videoclip de Yo voy solo, el primer single de la grabación del reparto original de NEON HAND: escribiendo un musical, espectáculo original que se estrenó el pasado 6 de octubre en el Espai Texas de Barcelona.
Review: ASSASSINS Offers Another National Anthem at THE GARDEN THEATRE Photo
Review: ASSASSINS Offers Another National Anthem at THE GARDEN THEATRE

When all is said and done, you have to applaud the bravery of this show. In an October where everyone else is offering safe fare such as British comedies, yet another take on Dracula, and an additional adaptation of Sherlock Holmes, this small company is daring you to face what might be wrong with America. It is a huge swing for the fences and remarkably well-performed and produced.
Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff & More to Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB at Photo
Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff & More to Join SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB at Birdland

The Fred Ebb Foundation will present SING HAPPY: THE LYRICS OF FRED EBB, a special event celebrating the work of the renowned lyricist. Performers include Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff, Telly Leung and more.
Interview: Cheyenne Jackson Performs SIGNS OF LIFE at The Hobby Center Photo
Interview: Cheyenne Jackson Performs SIGNS OF LIFE at The Hobby Center

I mean, my influences growing up? I went through a phase of everything was jazz! And it had to be old-school jazz! When I was about twelve or thirteen, I went to a yard sale. I found this CD. It was actually a tape. Billie Holiday, Lena Horn, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald. I'd never heard of any of them, and I just poured over it and studied the nuances of their voices.
VILLIAN ERA Returns to New York Following Edinburgh Fringe Run Photo
VILLIAN ERA Returns to New York Following Edinburgh Fringe Run

After a critically-acclaimed run in Edinburgh, Star Stone's VILLAIN ERA, directed by Ryan Cunningham will return to New York. An autobiographical tale about Stone's own experience facing public-shaming and cancel culture, VILLAIN ERA will play a limited engagement at Off-Broadway's Caveat beginning October 27.
Photos: Angelina Jolie, Alan Cumming, & More Attend MARIA New York Film Screening Photo
Photos: Angelina Jolie, Alan Cumming, & More Attend MARIA New York Film Screening

On September 29, the cast and crew of Netflix's Maria attended a Tastemaker screening at New York's Whitby Hotel. In attendance was Angelia Jolie, who plays the legendary opera singer in the film, as well as director Pablo Larraín, guests Alan Cumming, Carla Gugino, Questlove, and more. Take a look at photos from the screening here!
Astrology-Inspired Musical SIGNS OF LIFE to Have Developmental Reading Photo
Astrology-Inspired Musical SIGNS OF LIFE to Have Developmental Reading

Astro Lab Productions will present a new musical, SIGNS OF LIFE, with book, music, and lyrics by Christopher DeLair, directed by James A. Rocco. Signs Of Life explores a young man's magical return to his chaotic childhood on Long Island. Learn more about the new musical.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Alan Cumming been in?

Alan Cumming has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Alan Cumming been in?

Alan Cumming has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Alan Cumming's first West End show?

Alan Cumming's first West End show was Cabaret which opened in 1993

What awards has Alan Cumming been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Cabaret, Best Leading Actor in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Macbeth, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Macbeth, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cabaret, Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cabaret, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Cabaret, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Cabaret, Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Cabaret , Best Comedy Performance (Olivier Awards) for La Bete, Best Comedy Performance (Olivier Awards) for La Bete, Comedy Performance of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Accidental Death Of An Anarchist and Most Promising Newcomer of the Year in Theatre (Olivier Awards) for The Conquest Of The South Pole.

What awards has Alan Cumming won?

Alan Cumming has won multiple prestigious awards, including: Best Leading Actor in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Macbeth; Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cabaret; Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cabaret; Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Cabaret; Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Cabaret; and Comedy Performance of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Accidental Death Of An Anarchist.

How many shows has Alan Cumming written?

Alan Cumming has written 1 shows including Elle (Adaptation).

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