The brightest stars of Broadway gathered on Sunday night for the Tony Awards, celebrating the finest achievements in American theatre over the past year. Veteran performers John Lithgow, Lesley Manville, and Laurie Metcalf emerged among the evening’s biggest winners, while major productions such as Death of a Salesman, Schmigadoon!, and Ragtime claimed top honors. The ceremony highlighted both established legends and fresh theatrical successes, underscoring the enduring strength of live performance.
John Lithgow Sets a New Tony Awards Record
At 80 years old, John Lithgow made history by becoming the oldest male actor ever to win a Tony Award. He earned the honor for his portrayal of author Roald Dahl in Giant, adding another milestone to a stage career spanning more than five decades.
Reflecting on his achievement, Lithgow noted the remarkable gap between his first and latest Tony victories, saying, “Two Tony bookends with 53 years between them.”
He continued by paying tribute to the many artists he has worked alongside throughout his career.
“In those years, I have worked with hundreds of just fantastic theatre artists. I’ve had dozens and dozens of ecstatic moments on the stage, but I have to tell you right now, this moment has got to be one of the best,” Lithgow said.
His first Tony Award came in 1972 for Changing Rooms, making the latest win a fitting testament to his longevity and influence in theatre.
Lesley Manville Celebrates a Broadway Breakthrough
British actress Lesley Manville secured the first Tony Award of her career for her performance as Jocasta in Oedipus. The victory marked a significant milestone for the acclaimed performer, whose production previously enjoyed success in the UK before transferring to Broadway.
Accepting the award, Manville admitted, “I’m a bit overwhelmed, it was my first time on Broadway so this is such a big deal.”
She also acknowledged her fellow nominees, including Rose Byrne, Carrie Coon, Susannah Flood, and Kelli O’Hara, before adding a humorous observation about opportunities for women in theatre.
“Would someone like to write a play for five women? We are quite bankable,” she joked.
The wins for both Manville and Lithgow echoed their earlier success at the Olivier Awards, further demonstrating the strong connection between London’s West End and Broadway.
Death of a Salesman Dominates the Ceremony
A new production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman emerged as the night’s most decorated show, collecting six awards, including Best Revival of a Play.
Among its victories was a Tony Award for Laurie Metcalf, who won Best Supporting Actress in a Play. During her acceptance speech, Metcalf reflected on the relationships that shaped her artistic journey.
“When I was in college, I met six fellow students in the theatre department. We worked really hard to amuse each other, and I still consider them family – and I still draw on lessons that I learned from them,” she said.
Metcalf went on to recognize those former classmates by name, including Gary Sinise and John Malkovich, highlighting the lasting bonds formed early in her career.
The production also attracted attention because it marked the first Tony Award for producer Scott Rudin since stepping away from Broadway in 2021 amid allegations of workplace bullying and abusive behavior. Rudin was absent from the ceremony, and actor Nathan Lane accepted the award for Best Revival of a Play, praising “the genius of Arthur Miller, who created this monumental masterpiece.”
Musicals Deliver Memorable Victories
The musical categories produced several standout moments throughout the evening.
Schmigadoon!, adapted from the Apple TV series, won Best Musical. Producer Christine Schwarzman humorously credited the show’s television cancellation for making the stage adaptation possible.
“I think I should start by thanking Apple TV for cancelling the third season of Schmigadoon!, the TV show, because without them dropping it, we couldn’t have picked it up and ran with it,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ragtime won Best Revival of a Musical and secured acting victories for Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy. The Lost Boys, the punk-rock adaptation of the 1987 cult vampire film, also enjoyed success with awards for supporting performers Shoshana Bean and Ali Louis Bourzgui.
Elsewhere, Cats: The Jellicle Ball captured three trophies, while Liberation continued its award-winning momentum by taking home Best Play following its recent Pulitzer Prize triumph.
A Celebration of Broadway’s Finest
Hosted by singer Pink, the ceremony opened with a lively performance of Lady Marmalade that incorporated references to several nominees. Pink described herself as “Broadway’s biggest fan” and praised theatre professionals as “the hardest-working people in showbiz.”
The evening reflected Broadway’s ability to honor both legendary performers and innovative productions. From John Lithgow’s record-setting achievement to Lesley Manville’s Broadway breakthrough and the dominance of Death of a Salesman, the 2026 Tony Awards showcased a theatre industry that continues to blend tradition, talent, and reinvention.
