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Bill Irwin

Birth Place: Santa Monica, CA, USA

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BIO

BILL IRWIN is an actor, director, writer, and clown. His original works include The Regard of Flight; Largely New York; Fool Moon; Old Hats; and The Happiness Lecture. Broadway: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; The Goat; Waiting For Godot; The Iceman Cometh; Fool Moon; Largely New York; Bye Bye Birdie. Off-Broadway: The Regard of Flight; Endgame; Old Hats; On Beckett (an evening of passages from the writings of Samuel Beckett). Television: “The Dropout;” “Elmo’s World” (Mr. Noodle); “CSI;” “Legion;” “Law and Order SVU;” “New Amsterdam;” “Blue Bloods;” “Quarry.” Film: Rustin; Rachel Getting Married; The Grinch Who Stole Christmas; Spoiler Alert; Interstellar; Eight Men Out; Stepping Out; Silent Tongue. He gratefully acknowledges awards and fellowships that have allowed a life in the theatre.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
MTC Original Broadway Production, 2024
Don

[Off-Broadway]
Irish Rep Off-Broadway Production, 2024
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Irish Repertory Company Off-Broadway Production , 2023
Clov

[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere, 2018
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2018
Ed Mosher

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater and National Theatre One-Night Reading, 2017
Senator Charles E. Grassley

Senator Bob Corker

[New York]
MasterVoices One Night Production, 2017
Master Toymaker

[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Off-Broadway Revival Production, 2016
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Original Off-Broadway Production, 2013
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2011
Fool

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2009
Harry MacAfee

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2009
Vladimir

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
George

[Off-Broadway]
2004
G.L. Fox/Humpty Clown

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Harlequin

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Martin [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1998
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1997
Scapin

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1995
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Trinculo

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1993
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Performer

[Broadway]
1989
The Post-Modern Hoofer

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Lucky

[Broadway]
1987
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1984
The Sergeant

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2019]
Movement Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Choreographer
Director

Writing

Adaptation
Creator
Creator
Playwright
Playwright
Co-Creator

Awards and Nominations


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play

Bill Irwin, Endgame

The Lortels - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play

Bill Irwin, Endgame

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Bill Irwin, On Beckett

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Bill Irwin, Old Hats

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Bill Irwin, King Lear

Drama Desk Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Bill Irwin, Waiting for Godot

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2009 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Bill Irwin, Waiting for Godot


winner
Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Bill Irwin, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Bill Irwin, Texts for Nothing

Helen Hayes Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

Bill IrwinFool Moon


winner
Obie Awards - 1993 - Performance

Bill Irwin, Texts for Nothing

Helen Hayes Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

Bill IrwinLaregly/New York (The Further Adventures of a Post-Modern Hoofer)


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Special Awards

Bill IrwinLargely New York


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Special Awards

Bill Irwin, Largely New York

Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Unique Theatrical Experience

Bill Irwin, Largely New York


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1989 - Special Citation

Bill Irwin, Largely New York

Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Choreography

Bill Irwin, Largely New York

Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Direction of a Play

Bill Irwin, Largely New York

Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Bill Irwin, Largely New York

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Featured Actor - Play

Bill Irwin, Waiting for Godot

Helen Hayes Awards - 1986 - Outstanding Lead Actor, Touring Production or Prior to New York

Bill IrwinThe Regard of Flight


winner
Obie Awards - 1981 - Special Citations for his inspired clowning

Bill Irwin

Videos

News


EUREKA DAY Extends Broadway Run

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced that the Broadway premiere of Eureka Day, a play by Jonathan Spector, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, has extended its run! Learn more here!
Photos: On the Red Carpet at EUREKA DAY Opening Night

Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, is now officially open on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there at opening night and you can check out photos from the red carpet here!
Photos: The Cast of EUREKA DAY Takes Opening Night Bows

Eureka Day, by Jonathan Spector and directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, is now officially open on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows!
Review Roundup: EUREKA DAY Opens On Broadway

The Broadway premiere of Eureka Day, a new comedy from playwright Jonathan Spector, celebrates its opening night tonight in a new production from Anna D. Shapiro! Read the reviews!
Photos: EUREKA DAY Cast Walks the Red Carpet on Opening Night

Eureka Day, a play by Jonathan Spector, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, is now officially open on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Check out photos of the cast on the red carpet here! 
Alex Tatarsky Named 2024 Recipient of The Mark O’Donnell Prize

The Entertainment Community Fund and Playwrights Horizons revealed that New York City creator and performer Alex Tatarsky is the 2024 recipient of The Mark O’Donnell Prize. Learn more about Tatarsky and the Prize!
Photos: EUREKA DAY is Now Playing on Broadway

All new production photos have been released for the Broadway premiere of Eureka Day, a play by Jonathan Spector, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro. Check out the photos here!
New 42 Board Elects Henry Tisch As Chairman

The New 42 Board of Directors has elected Henry Tisch as Chairman of the Board, effective July 1, 2025. Learn more about Tisch and about New 42 as an organization.
Up on the Marquee: EUREKA DAY

Next up at Manhattan Theatre Club is Eureka Day, by Jonathan Spector, directed by Anna D. Shapiro. Check out new photos of the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre marquee here!
Meet the Cast of EUREKA DAY, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Manhattan Theatre Club's Eureka Day, by Jonathan Spector, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, officially begins previews tonight, November 25. Meet the cast of Eureka Day here!
Deirdre O’Connell, Will Brill, & More Join Netflix's THE BEAST IN ME Series

Netflix has added several new cast members to their mystery thriller series The Beast in Me. Joining Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys in the limited series is Tony Award winner Deirdre O’Connell, Stereophonic's Will Brill, and more.
Videos You Missed This Week: RAGTIME, WICKED, and More

It's been a busy week on (and off) Broadway! Fall 2024 is here at last, which means that a whole new bunch of Broadway and off-Broadway shows are opening soon. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending November 8, 2024 with videos from Ragtime, Wicked, Suffs, and more!
Interview: Jonathan Spector's EUREKA DAY Brings Timely Vaccine Debate to Broadway

BroadwayWorld interviewed playwright Jonathan Spector about the Broadway debut of his play Eureka Day, starring Amber Gray, Jessica Hecht, Bill Irwin, and more. Learn more about the play!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 6, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 6, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Second Annual PhysFestNYC Will Return in January

Broken Box Mime Theater will host the second annual PhysFestNYC, a 10-day physical theater festival in January 2025 at Stella Adler Center for the Arts. Learn more about the festival and find out how to attend here!
Video: EUREKA DAY Cast Gets Ready for Broadway

Up next at Manhattan Theatre Club is Jonathan Spector's Eureka Day, starring Amber Gray, Jessica Hecht, Bill Irwin, Thomas Middleditch, and Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz. Watch as the cast tells us more about the new play in this video.
Photos: Manhattan Theatre Club's EUREKA DAY Cast Meets the Press

Manhattan Theatre Club is presenting Eureka Day, by Jonathan Spector, directed by Anna D. Shapiro. See photos of the company meeting the press here!
Review: STAGE KISS at Harrison Players

The real-life director of Stage Kiss, Anthony Valbiro, has brought his reliably effective stagecraft instincts to this polished production
The Mannes School of Music to Present A WEEKEND OF GLASS Featuring Works by Philip Glass

The Mannes School of Music at The New School College of Performing Arts will present A Weekend of Glass, performances on October 25 and 26 featuring the music of iconic American composer Philip Glass. Learn how to attend.
Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz Will Make Broadway Debut in EUREKA DAY

Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz (“Scandal,” “The Flash”) will make her Broadway debut in the Manhattan Theatre Club production of Eureka Day, by Jonathan Spector, directed by Anna D. Shapiro.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Bill Irwin been in?

Bill Irwin has appeared on Broadway in 12 shows.

How many West End shows has Bill Irwin been in?

Bill Irwin has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Bill Irwin been nominated for?

Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Endgame, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play (The Lortels) for Endgame, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for On Beckett, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Old Hats, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for King Lear , Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Waiting for Godot, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Waiting for Godot, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Texts for Nothing , Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Fool Moon, Performance (Obie Awards) for Texts for Nothing, Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Laregly/New York (The Further Adventures of a Post-Modern Hoofer), Special Awards (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Largely New York , Special Awards (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Largely New York, Unique Theatrical Experience (Drama Desk Awards) for Largely New York, Special Citation (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Largely New York, Best Choreography (Tony Awards) for Largely New York, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Largely New York, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Largely New York, Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Waiting for Godot, Outstanding Lead Actor, Touring Production or Prior to New York (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Regard of Flight and Special Citations for his inspired clowning (Obie Awards).

What awards has Bill Irwin won?

Bill Irwin has won several prestigious awards, including the Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for his role in Endgame. He received the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for his performance in Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. Additionally, he was honored with a Performance award at the Obie Awards for Texts for Nothing. Irwin also received Special Awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Largely New York. Furthermore, he was recognized with a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Largely New York, and he earned Special Citations for his inspired clowning at the Obie Awards.

How many shows has Bill Irwin written?

Bill Irwin has written 7 shows including The Regard of Flight (Playwright), The Regard of Flight and The Clown Bagatelles (Creator), Largely New York (Playwright), Scapin (Adaptation), The Harlequin Studies (Playwright), Mr. Fox: A Rumination (Playwright), Old Hats (Co-Creator).

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