News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
John Douglas Thompson Headshot

John Douglas Thompson

Get John Douglas Thompson Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Broadway: A Time to Kill, Cyrano de Bergerac, Julius Caesar.


Off-Broadway: Othello, Tamburlaine, The Father/A Doll's House (TFANA), Troilus and Cressida (The Public), The Iceman Cometh (BAM), Satchmo at the Waldorf (Westside Theatre), The Emperor Jones (Irish Rep), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Mark Taper).
Film/TV: "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," Wolves, The Bourne Legacy, Glass Chin, Michael Clayton, "Bull," "Person of Interest," "Madam Secretary," "Law & Order."
Awards: Obie, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Outer Critics, Ovation, AUDELCO, Samuel H. Scripps, NAACP and Robert Brustein awards.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
The Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2023
Claudius

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

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2019
Earl of Kent

[Broadway]
2018 Broadway Revival, 2018
Starkeeper

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Revival, 2017
Caius Cassius

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Original Broadway Production, 2017
Becker

[Off-Broadway]
Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2016
Agamemnon

[Off-Broadway]
Women's Project Theater Original Off-Broadway Production, 2015
Robert [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
2014
Louis Armstrong

[Broadway]
Broadway Premiere, 2013
Carl Lee Hailey

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2011
Kent

[Off-Broadway]
Theatre For A New Audience Production, 2011
Macbeth

[Off-Broadway]
2009
Othello

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Enobarbus

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Orombo

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2007
Le Bret

[Off-Broadway]
2006
Edgar

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
Ensemble

Flavius

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Judge Brack

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Performer


Movies

Michael Clayton
[ 2007 ] Jail Guard
The Bourne Legacy
[ 2012 ] Lt. General Paulsen
Glass Chin
[ 2014 ] Lou Gibson
A Most Violent Year
[ 2014 ] Male Radio Reporter
Wolves
[ 2016 ] Socrates
21 Bridges
[ 2019 ] Reverend
Let Them All Talk
[ 2020 ] Dr. Mitchell
The 355
[ 2022 ] Larry Marks
Till
[ 2022 ] Moses Wright

TV Shows

For Life
Spencer Richardson
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Mel Cantor, E. R. Doctor

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play

John Douglas Thompson, Endgame

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Distinguished Performance Award

John Douglas Thompson, Endgame

The Lortels - 2023 - Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play

John Douglas Thompson, Endgame

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

John Douglas ThompsonThe Merchant of Venice

Drama League Awards - 2018 - Distinguished Performance Award

John Douglas Thompson, Julius Caesar

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

John Douglas Thompson, Jitney

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

John Douglas Thompson, Jitney

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

John Douglas Thompson, August Wilson's Jitney


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2015 - Special Award

John Douglas Thompson

Drama League Awards - 2015 - Distinguished Performance Award

John Douglas Thompson, Tamburlaine, Parts I and II


winner
Obie Awards - 2015 - Performance

John Douglas Thompson, Tamburlaine, The Iceman Cometh


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Solo Performance

John Douglas Thompson, Satchmo at the Waldorf

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

John Douglas Thompson, Satchmo at the Waldorf


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Solo Performance

John Douglas Thompson, Satchmo at the Waldorf

Drama Desk Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

John Douglas ThompsonThe Emperor Jones

The Lortels - 2010 - Outstanding Lead Actor

John Douglas ThompsonThe Emperor Jones


winner
Obie Awards - 2009 - Performance

John Douglas Thompson, Othello


winner
The Lortels - 2009 - Outstanding Lead Actor

John Douglas Thompson, Othello

News


Kate Baldwin, Dylan Baker & More Join THE GILDED AGE Season 3

The third season of The Gilded Age has added six more stars to its supporting lineup, including several Broadway alums. ate Baldwin, Dylan Baker, Michael Cumpsty, John Ellison Conlee, Bobby Steggert, and Hannah Shealy will all appear in the show's upcoming season.
Review: OTHELLO, Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Intellectually stimulating, if somewhat bloodless, version of a tragedy born of racism, jealousy and naivety
Review Roundup: OTHELLO at Royal Shakespeare Company

See what the critics are saying about Othello at RSC. Read the reviews and learn more about the production, starring Tony nominated actor John Douglas Thompson.
Industry Pro Newsletter: A 'Radical Reshaping' in Seattle, StrawHat to Suspend Operations

Stories include the opening of nominations for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Regional Awards and the donation from Ken Ludwig to save Hall’s Croft. Financial difficulties are impacting institutions like the University of the Arts and Seattle’s theater scene, prompting a rethinking of models and operations.
Theatre For A New Audience Founder Jeffrey Horowitz To Retire

Jeffrey Horowitz, Founder of Theatre for a New Audience, having led and grown the not-for-profit organization since 1979, will retire on August 31, 2025, at the end of TFANA's just-announced season of Shakespeare alongside plays by classical and contemporary playwrights.
Full Cast Set For The RSC's OTHELLO

The Royal Shakespeare Company announced the full cast for its upcoming production of OTHELLO, featuring Hugh Quarshie in the title role and Lucian Msamati as Iago. The production opens in November.
Red Bull Theater Unveils 2024-25 Season Featuring Productions, Readings & More

Red Bull Theater has revealed its 2024-25 season with a lineup of productions, readings, and special events available both in-person and online.
Leslie Uggams, Andrea Martin, & More Join THE GILDED AGE Season 3

A slew of new names have joined the third season of HBO's hit drama The Gilded Age. Bill Camp (Broadway's The Crucible), Merritt Wever, Leslie Uggams, and Lisagay Hamilton will all play key roles in Season 3's ensemble. Additionally, Tony Award winner Andrea Martin is set to portray a medium named Madame Dashkova. 
Theatre for a New Audience Sets World Premiere Musical & More for 2024-25 Season

Theatre for a New Audience has revealed its 2024-25 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
Shakespeare Theatre Company Names Angela Lee Gieras as Executive Director

Shakespeare Theatre Company has named Angela Lee Gieras as the new executive director. Learn more bout Sierras and the position!
Shakespeare & Company to Present THE COMEDY OF ERRORS Beginning Next Week

William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors takes over Shakespeare & Company's outdoor mainstage this summer, directed by Kate Kohler Amory July 13 through August 18 at the Arthur S. Waldstein Amphitheatre.
Phylicia Rashad, Brian Stokes Mitchell, & More Join Third Season of THE GILDED AGE

Broadway talent continues to be represented in the hit HBO show The Gilded Age as more stage actors join the upcoming season. According to multiple reports, Phylicia Rashad, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jordan Donica, and Victoria Clark will all be featured in Season 3 of the show.
THE BUDDHA OF SUBURBIA and More Set For RSC's Winter Season at the Barbican

Alongside one world premiere, three new Shakespeare productions and a major revival going on sale at Stratford, RSC Co-Artistic Directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, have announced their first Winter season at the Barbican, which sees two critically acclaimed productions transfer from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Photos: Stars Turn Out To Honor Alfred Molina and Ann K. McDonald At the 2024 RUNNING OF THE BULLS Gala

Red Bull Theater honored Alfred Molina with the Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater and K. Ann McDonald with the George Mayer Award for Extraordinary Service to Classical Theater at the Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit last night, Monday June 3rd. See photos from inside the event!
Red Bull Theater to Honor Alfred Molina & K. Ann McDonald at Red Bulls Gala Benefit

Alfred Molina will be honored with the Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater and K. Ann McDonald will receive the George Mayer Award for Extraordinary Service to Classical Theater at the Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit. Learn more about the benefit and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: The Acting Company Hosts Gala Honoring Stephen McKinley Henderson

Last night, The Acting Company awarded Stephen McKinley Henderson the John Houseman Award Honor, and William H. Wright II the Joan M. Warburg Award Honor, as part of The Acting Company’s “Fantastic Journeys” Gala. See photos from the evening below!
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Announces Cast For Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company reveals the cast for the free Shakespeare on the Common production of THE WINTER'S TALE, running from July 16 to August 4.
Oxford, Yale Professors To Participate In TFANA Talks Following MACBETH (AN UNDOING)

Theatre for a New Audience has announced two post-show TFANA Talks surrounding performances of the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh's production of Macbeth (an undoing) written and directed by Zinnie Harris and presented by TFANA in association with Rose Theatre, London.
Video: Director Mary Zimmerman on THE MATCHBOX MAGIC FLUTE at Shakespeare Theatre Company

Shakespeare Theatre Company's final show this season is Mary Zimmerman's The Matchbox Magic Flute. Watch as adapter and director Mary Zimmerman describes what makes The Matchbox Magic Flute a unique operatic experience. 
Red Bull Theater to Honor Alfred Molina And K. Ann McDonald at Gala Benefit

Alfred Molina and K. Ann McDonald will be honored at the Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit. Learn more about the benefit and see how to purchase tickets.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has John Douglas Thompson been in?

John Douglas Thompson has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has John Douglas Thompson been in?

John Douglas Thompson has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has John Douglas Thompson been nominated for?

Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Endgame, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Endgame, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play (The Lortels) for Endgame, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Merchant of Venice, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Julius Caesar, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Jitney, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Jitney, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for August Wilson's Jitney, Special Award (Drama Desk Awards), Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Tamburlaine, Parts I and II, Performance (Obie Awards) for Tamburlaine, The Iceman Cometh , Outstanding Solo Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Satchmo at the Waldorf, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Satchmo at the Waldorf, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Satchmo at the Waldorf, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Emperor Jones, Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for The Emperor Jones, Performance (Obie Awards) for Othello and Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for Othello.

What awards has John Douglas Thompson won?

John Douglas Thompson has received several prestigious awards, including a Special Award from the Drama Desk Awards. He won an Obie Award for Performance in Tamburlaine and The Iceman Cometh. He also received the Outstanding Solo Performance award from the Drama Desk Awards for Satchmo at the Waldorf, as well as the Outstanding Solo Performance from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Additionally, he won an Obie Award for Performance in Othello and the Outstanding Lead Actor award from The Lortels for his role in Othello.

Get John Douglas Thompson Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos