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Nathan Lane

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BIO

Nathan Lane (born Joseph Lane; February 3, 1956) is an American actor. Since 1975, he has been seen on stage and screen in both comedic and dramatic roles. Lane has received numerous awards, including three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, two Obie Awards, the Olivier Award, three Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Lane received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2010, The New York Times hailed Lane as "the greatest stage entertainer of the decade".



Lane made his professional theatre debut in 1978 in an off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. During this time he also briefly appeared as one half of the comedy team of Stack and Lane, until he was cast in the 1982 Broadway revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter directed by and starring George C. Scott. This led to an extensive career onstage, where he had a long friendship and fruitful collaboration with the playwright Terrence McNally which started in 1989 with the Manhattan Theater Club production of The Lisbon Traviata.

A six-time Tony Award nominee, he has won three times, for Best Actor in a Musical for Pseudolus in Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1996) and Max Bialystock in Mel Brooks' The Producers (2001), and Best Featured Actor in a Play for Roy Cohn in Tony Kushner's Angels in America (2018). His other Tony-nominated roles were in Guys and Dolls (1992), The Nance (2013), and The Front Page (2016). Among his 25 Broadway credits are The Man Who Came To Dinner (2000), The Odd Couple (2005), Butley (2006), Waiting For Godot (2009), The Addams Family (2010), It's Only a Play (2014), Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus (2019), and Pictures from Home (2023).

Lane has appeared in over 35 films, including The Lion King (1994), The Birdcage (1996), Mouse Hunt (1997), The Producers (2005), and Beau is Afraid (2023). He received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the Hulu mystery comedy series Only Murders in the Building in 2022. His other Emmy-nominated roles were for Frasier, Mad About You, Modern Family, and The Good Wife. He has also appeared in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story (2016), Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (2020), and The Gilded Age (2022–).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2023
Irving

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Willy Loman

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2019
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2018
Roy Cohn

[West End]
National Theatre Production, 2017
Roy Cohn

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2016
Walter Burns

[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere Production, 2016
Performer [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway, 2015
Hickey

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2014
James Wicker [Replacement]

James Wicker

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
Chauncey Miles

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Gomez Addams

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2009
Estragon

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2008
Charles Smith

[New York]
Reading, 2007
Hanratty

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2006
Ben Butley

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
Oscar Madison

[New York]
Reading, 2005
Hanratty

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Lou Nuncle

[West End]
London Production, 2004
Max Bialystock

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Dionysos

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Dalton Trumbo

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Mystery Guest Star [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2001
Max Bialystock

Max Bialystock [Replacement]

Max Bialystock

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2000
Sheridan Whiteside

[Regional (US)]
Regional Concert, 2000
Performer

[New York]
Workshop, 1999
Addison Mizner

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 1999
Hubert Cram

[Off-Broadway]
1998
David Mizlansky

[Broadway]
Angela Lansbury Tribute Benefit, 1996
Host

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Pseudolus

Prologus

[Broadway]
1995
Buzz Hauser

[Off-Broadway]
1994
Buzz Hauser

[Broadway]
1993
Max Prince

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1992
Nathan Detroit

[Broadway]
1991
Mr. Brink

[Off-Broadway]
1991
Sam Truman

[Broadway]
1990
Henry McNeil

[Off-Broadway]
1990
Jason Pepper M.D./Hugh Gumbs

[New York]
Reading, 1989
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Mendy

Mendy

[Off-Broadway]
1989
James Taxi

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Jonathan Balton

[Off-Broadway]
1987
Harvey Wheatcraft

[Off-Broadway]
1986
Nick Finchling

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1985
Toad

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Pompey

[Off-Broadway]
1984
Tony Lumpkin

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1984
Harry Berlin

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Prince Fergus

[Broadway]
1982
Roland Maule

[New York]
Workshop, 2006
Hanratty

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Producer

Writing

Bookwriter

Movies

Ironweed
[ 1987 ] Harold Allen
The Lemon Sisters
[ 1989 ] Charlie Sorrell
Joe Versus the Volcano
[ 1990 ] Baw - The Waponi Advance Man
Frankie and Johnny
[ 1991 ] Tim
He Said, She Said
[ 1991 ] Wally Thurman
Addams Family Values
[ 1993 ] Desk Sergeant
Life with Mikey
[ 1993 ] Ed Chapman
The Lion King
[ 1994 ] Timon
Jeffrey
[ 1995 ] Father Dan
The Birdcage
[ 1996 ] Albert
Mousehunt
[ 1997 ] Ernie Smuntz
At First Sight
[ 1999 ] Phil Webster
Stuart Little
[ 1999 ] Snowbell
Love's Labour's Lost
[ 2000 ] Costard
Isn't She Great
[ 2000 ] Irving Mansfield
Trixie
[ 2000 ] Kirk Stans
Titan A.E.
[ 2000 ] Preed
Austin Powers in Goldmember
[ 2002 ] Mysterious Disco Man
Stuart Little 2
[ 2002 ] Snowbell
Nicholas Nickleby
[ 2002 ] Vincent Crummles
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
[ 2004 ] Richard Levy the Driven
Teacher's Pet
[ 2004 ] Spot, Scott
The Producers
[ 2005 ] Max Bialystock
Swing Vote
[ 2008 ] Art Crumb
Astro Boy
[ 2009 ] Hamegg
The Nutcracker: The Untold Story
[ 2010 ] Uncle Albert
Mirror Mirror
[ 2012 ] Brighton
The English Teacher
[ 2013 ] Carl Kapin
Carrie Pilby
[ 2016 ] Dr. Petrov
No Pay, Nudity
[ 2016 ] Herschel
The Vanishing of Sidney Hall
[ 2017 ] Harold
Angels in America: Part I - Millennium Approaches
[ 2017 ] Roy Cohn
National Theatre Live: Angels in America Part Two: Perestroika
[ 2017 ] Roy Cohn
Spellbound
[ 2023 ] Oracle of the Sun

TV Shows

Encore! Encore!
Joseph Pinoni
George and Martha
George
Modern Family
Pepper Saltzman
Only Murders in the Building
Teddy Dimas
Teacher's Pet
Spot Helperman, Scott Leadready
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Bing Shalimar, Herman in Fantasy Sequence
The Good Wife
Clarke Hayden

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2018 - Best Featured Actor in a Play

Nathan Lane, Angels in America


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Nathan Lane, Angels in America


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2018 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Nathan Lane, Angels in America


winner
Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Nathan Lane, Angels in America

Drama Desk Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Nathan Lane, The Front Page

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Nathan Lane, The Front Page

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

Nathan Lane, The Front Page

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Nathan Lane, The Nance

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Nathan Lane, The Nance

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Nathan Lane, The Nance

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Nathan Lane, The Nance

Drama Desk Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Nathan Lane, The Addams Family


winner
Drama League Awards - 2010 - Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre

Nathan Lane

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Nathan Lane, The Addams Family

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

Nathan Lane, Waiting for Godot


winner
Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Actor in a Musical

Nathan Lane, The Producers


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Nathan Lane, The Producers


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Nathan Lane, The Producers


winner
Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Nathan Lane, The Producers


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Nathan Lane, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1996 - Best Actor - Musical

Nathan Lane, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum


winner
Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Nathan Lane, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Featured Actor - Play

Nathan Lane, Love! Valour! Compassion


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1995 - Outstanding Featured Actor - Play

Nathan Lane, Love! Valour! Compassion!


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1995 - Best Actor - Play

Nathan Lane, Love! Valour! Compassion!

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1995 - Best Off Broadway Musical

Nathan Lane, Love! Valour! Compassion!


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1992 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Nathan Lane, Guys and Dolls


winner
Obie Awards - 1992 - Sustained Excellence of Performance

Nathan Lane


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1992 - Best Actor - Musical

Nathan Lane , Guys and Dolls

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Nathan Lane , Guys and Dolls


winner
The Lortels - 1991 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Nathan LaneThe Lisbon Traviata

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Actor - Play

Nathan Lane, The Lisbon Traviata

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Actor - Play

Nathan Lane , Lisbon Traviata

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1990 - Best Actor - Play

Nathan Lane, Lisbon Traviata

Drama Desk Awards - 1989 - Outstanding Actor - Play

Nathan Lane, The Lisbon Traviata

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

Nathan Lane, Present Laughter

Videos

News


Video: Rachel Zegler Performs 'My Parents Are Monsters' from SPELLBOUND

Spellbound is now streaming on Netflix, and the streamer has released a video of Rachel Zegler singing the opening number of the film, 'My Parents Our Monsters.' The split-screen video shows Zegler performing the song in the recording booth alongside the finished animation. Watch it now!
Matthew Broderick to Guest Star on ELSBETH with Son James Wilkie Broderick

Tony Award winner Matthew Broderick is set to appear as a special guest star in a 2025 episode of CBS crime drama Elsbeth. The Producers star will be joined onscreen by James Wilkie Broderick, Matthew's son, in what will be their first joint television appearance. 
Video: SPELLBOUND Featurette Showcases Magical Score

Spellbound, the new animated musical from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, is out now on Netflix. A new video has been released alongside the film, which highlights the magical score and features new interviews with Menken, Slater and the cast. Watch it now!
Exclusive: How John Lithgow's SPELLBOUND Role Expanded With a Showstopping Musical Number

BroadwayWorld sat down with John Lithgow to discuss voicing the character of Minister Bolinar in Spellbound, how his role in the film grew over time, and why children are the best audience members.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 23, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 25, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
Alan Menken's SPELLBOUND Soundtrack Debuts with Rachel Zegler, Nathan Lane, & More

A new Alan Menken animated musical has hit Netflix and, with it comes a soundtrack album featuring vocals from Rachel Zegler, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Jenifer Lewis, John Lithgow, and more. Listen to the new songs here!
Review Roundup: Rachel Zegler-Led Musical Film SPELLBOUND

The new animated musical film Spellbound is out now on Netflix, featuring Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Olga Merediz, and Javier Bardem. Read the reviews for Spellbound here!
Hoy se estrena HECHIZADOS con la voz de Rachel Zegler en Netflix

Ya disponible en Netflix la nueva película musical animada HECHIZADOS, con canciones originales de Alan Menken y protagonizada en su versión original por Rachel Zegler.
Video: Rachel Zegler Recorded SPELLBOUND Songs Before Being Offered the Part

BroadwayWorld sat down with Rachel Zegler and Jenifer Lewis to discuss the animated musical Spellbound, Zegler's involvement in the film, and how to navigate life in a dark world. Watch the exclusive interview now!
Video: Alan Menken and Glenn Slater Share What Makes SPELLBOUND Unique

BroadwayWorld sat down with Alan Menken and Glenn Slater to discuss their new animated musical Spellbound and what makes it different from previous projects from the composer and lyricist team. Watch the exclusive interview here!
Video: Netflix Shares Sneak Peek of SPELLBOUND Opening Number

With only two days until Spellbound hits Netflix, the streamer has released a sneak peek clip from the opening number of the film, 'My Parents Our Monsters.' Watch the clip now!
Video: Tituss Burgess and Nathan Lane Share SPELLBOUND Secrets

BroadwayWorld sat down with Tituss Burgess and Nathan Lane to discuss Netflix's new animated musical Spellbound, their dynamic in the film, and more. Watch the exclusive interview now!
Photos: Eugene O'Neill Theater Center Honors Tom Viertel at 23rd Monte Cristo Award Gala

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center presented the 23rd Monte Cristo Award to Chair Emeritus Tom Viertel, last night at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. Check out photos here!
Video: Rachel Zegler Reacts to SPELLBOUND Singing Doll

Netflix has posted a new video of Rachel Zegler, who stars as Ellian in the animated musical, unboxing action figures, stuffed animals, and more merchandise tied to the new film. Watch the unboxing video now!
Meet the Cast of GYPSY, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

GYPSY is coming back to Broadway, starring Audra McDonald! The production begins previews at Broadway’s newly renovated Majestic Theatre. Meet the cast of GYPSY here!
Video: Nathan Lane Shares Why He's Done Doing Broadway Musicals

On a recent visit to the Today Show to promote Spellbound, three-time Tony winner Nathan Lane shed light on why he has decided to move on from performing in Broadway musicals. Watch the interview now!
Photos: Rachel Zegler, Alan Menken, & More Attend SPELLBOUND Premiere

On November 11, Netflix hosted the premiere of Spellbound, the new animated musical from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. In attendance were stars Rachel Zegler, Jenifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess, Nathan Lane, Javier Bardem, Nicole Kidman, and Olga Merediz. Take a look at photos here!
Videos: Rachel Zegler Sings SPELLBOUND Songs in Two New Promos

It's a musical! With two new videos for Netflix's Spellbound, we have our first taste of Alan Menken's music and Glenn Slater's lyrics in the upcoming animated musical. Watch them here!
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.
Isabella Esler, Jake Epstein, Chilina Kennedy & More Will Star in LIFE AFTER in Toronto

The full cast and creative team for the new musical LIFE AFTER at CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre has just been announced. The new musical will play a limited engagement from Wednesday, April 16 – Sunday, May 4, 2025 as part of the 2024/25 Off-Mirvish Season. Check out who is joining the cast here!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Nathan Lane been in?

Nathan Lane has appeared on Broadway in 26 shows.

How many West End shows has Nathan Lane been in?

Nathan Lane has appeared on London's West End in 2 shows.

What was Nathan Lane's first West End show?

Nathan Lane's first West End show was The Producers which opened in 2004

What awards has Nathan Lane been nominated for?

Best Featured Actor in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Angels in America, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Angels in America, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Angels in America, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Angels in America, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Front Page, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Front Page, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Front Page, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Nance, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Nance, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Nance, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Nance, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Addams Family, Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Addams Family, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Waiting for Godot, Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Producers, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion, Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion!, Best Actor - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion!, Best Off Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion!, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Guys and Dolls, Sustained Excellence of Performance (Obie Awards), Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Guys and Dolls , Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Guys and Dolls, Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for The Lisbon Traviata, Best Actor - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lisbon Traviata, Best Actor - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Lisbon Traviata , Best Actor - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Lisbon Traviata , Outstanding Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lisbon Traviata and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Present Laughter.

What awards has Nathan Lane won?

Nathan Lane has received numerous prestigious awards throughout his career. He won Best Featured Actor in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards), Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards), and Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Angels in America. He also received the Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for the same production. Additionally, he was honored with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards) and the Best Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Producers. Lane earned Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) and Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards), as well as the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Producers. For A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, he received Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards), Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards), and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards). He also won Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Love! Valour! Compassion, in addition to another Outstanding Featured Actor - Play (Drama Desk Awards) and Best Actor - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for the same production. For Guys and Dolls, he earned Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) and Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards). Lastly, he received the Sustained Excellence of Performance (Obie Awards) and Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for The Lisbon Traviata.

How many shows has Nathan Lane written?

Nathan Lane has written 1 shows including The Frogs (Bookwriter).

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