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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


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.
The Mannes School of Music at The New School College of Performing Arts To Present A Weekend of Philip Glass

Experience the music of Philip Glass with free performances by Dennis Russell Davies, Maki Namekawa, Michael Riesman, and Orange Road Quartet at The New School College of Performing Arts on October 25-26.
The College Of Performing Arts At The New School Announces 2024-2025 Performance Season

The College of Performing Arts at The New School announced its 2024-2025 performance season, featuring a range of concerts, recitals, and theatrical productions by students and faculty.
Photos: OUR CLASS Opens at Classic Stage Company

After its sold-out run at Brooklyn Academy of Music in winter 2024, the off-Broadway production Our Class, by Polish playwright Tadeusz Slobodzianek, and helmed by Ukrainian-born, Jewish director Igor Golyak, is now playing. Check out photos from opening night here!
LAKEPLAY Comes to the Wild Project Next Month

The Drilling Company and ARA Productions will present the world premiere of'Lakeplay' by Drew Valins from October 3 to 20 at The Wild Project, 195 E 3rd Street.
SACRED RIGHTS, SACRED SONG, A SERVICE FOR THE SACRED CENTER Makes Off Broadway Debut

Mourning Doves Rising in association with Amas Musical Theater, Donna Trinkoff Artistic Producer, Jonathan S. Cerullo / JSCTheatricals and Sharon Litwinoff will present Sacred Rights, Sacred Song, A Service for the Sacred Center on Wednesday September 11 and Sunday September 22 at 7:00 pm.
Kit Ingui to Join Williamstown Theatre Festival as Managing Director, Operations & Advancement

Kit Ingui will depart Long Wharf to join Williamstown Theatre Festival as Managing Director, Operations & Advancement. Learn more about Ingui and the position.
Photos: On the Red Carpet for Opening Night of JOB

Job, the new play by Max Wolf Friedlich, opened just last week at the Hayes Theatre on Broadway and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration. Check out photos from the star-studded arrivals here!
Broadway Buying Guide: August 5, 2024- See Robert Downey Jr.'s Debut in MCNEAL

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, August 5, 2024.
A SHORT HISTORY OF FUN Comes to Edinburgh

This year’s Fringe sees the debut of Hank Curry’s latest clown offering, “A Short History of Fun”, the artist’s seventh original work and the first to play in the United Kingdom.
Video: Bill Irwin Is Taking on Beckett at the Irish Rep

In this video, watch as Bill Irwin chats with BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge about the brilliance of Beckett, the joy of being back at the Rep, and so much more!

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 Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Endgame. He received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Additionally, he won an Obie Award for Performance for Texts for Nothing. Irwin also received Special Awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Largely New York. Furthermore, he earned a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for Largely New York and received 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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