John Lithgow made history at last night’s Tony Awards in a rare milestone.
In accepting the award for Lead Actor in a Play 53 years after his first honor at the ceremony, it marks the longest gap for an actor between successive wins at the Tonys.
Lithgow won for his role as author Roald Dahl in antisemitism drama “Giant,” beating out a competitive category featuring Mark Strong and Daniel Radcliffe. The play, which also earned Lithgow an Olivier award, explores the legendary British author’s criticism over antisemitic comments.
That wasn’t the only record the veteran actor shattered on the night, however. At 80 years old, Lithgow is now the oldest actor to ever win the award, making for two huge achievements in a single evening. in 1973, he won the Lead Actor in a Musical category for “The Changing Room.”
“Oh my God, this is wonderful,” Lithgow said. “The other gentlemen in my category, you all deserve this. I got it.”
“Two Tony bookends, with 53 years between them,” the actor continued, adding, “In those years, I have worked with hundreds of fantastic theatre artists. I’ve had dozens and dozens of ecstatic theatre moments onstage. But I’ve got to tell you, this moment has got to be one of the best..because I play the lead role in an extraordinary play, Giant. A stunning play made by people full of love and kindness. But it’s a play about cruelty in a cruel age.”
Lithgow’s profile is set to skyrocket with his latest role as Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore in HBO’s big budget reboot series of “Harry Potter,” which officially premieres on Dec. 25, 2026.
The 79th annual Tony Awards, held Sunday, June 7 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, celebrated the best of Broadway plays and musicals from the last year. Grammy-winning Singer Pink hosted, and at one point joined Lea Michele and Megan Thee Stallion in a star-studded rendition of “Lady Marmalade.”
Elsewhere in the night, “Schmigadoon!” won the award for best musical, while “Liberation” took home the award for best play.
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