Gold-Standard Roles: From Tony to Oscar
Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 8:00PM 
This season, Wicked hopes to translate some of its Tony glory to the Oscars, twenty years after the musical competed for Broadway’s highest honors. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, in particular, are now part of a long tradition of performers who took Tony-heralded parts and made them into Oscar success stories. Time will tell if either of them finishes the season with little golden men clasped tightly in their hands. Still, it’s already possible to contextualize them within this peculiar dynamic, this Tony-to-Oscar pipeline. Because we love lists and statistics here at The Film Experience, let’s recall every case when a Tony-nominated role earned itself AMPAS’ seal of approval…
Reader, I did not realize how many there had been when I started this list, so be ready for a lot of information. However, one should also keep some things in mind regarding selection criteria.
I decided only to count straight stage-to-screen adaptations. That excludes people like Bryan Cranston, who won a Tony for a production inspired by the Network film, or those actors nominated for The Elephant Man play, based on the same events and history as the Lynch movie but otherwise unrelated. Same thing goes for the 2018 To Kill a Mockingbird play, adapted from the novel like the Oscar-winning film but unconnected beyond that. Julie Harris’ take on Sally Bowles in I Am Camera is also not counted along with Liza Minnelli and her stage cohorts, as Harris’ show was a non-musical adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s Goodbye to Berlin. I’m also not counting the innumerable cases of films being turned into stage musicals. If the text of the role is ostensibly different, they’re not here. After all, this is about roles rather than characters.
With all that minutia established, let’s assess these gold-standard roles and the acting achievements they brought into existence…
Anna Christopherson in ANNA CHRISTIE
1930) Greta Garbo was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
1977) Liv Ullmann was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1993) Natasha Richardson was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Eliza Doolittle in PYGMALION
1938) Wendy Hiller was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
1987) Amanda Plummer was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Abraham Lincoln in ABE LINCOLN IN ILLINOIS
1940) Raymond Massey was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1994) Sam Waterston was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Emily Webb in OUR TOWN
1940) Martha Scott was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
1989) Penelope Ann Miller was nominated for the Best featured Actress in a Play Tony
Birdie Hubbard in THE LITTLE FOXES
1941) Patricia Collinge was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1981) Maureen Stapleton was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
2017) Cynthia Nixon won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
Regina Giddens in THE LITTLE FOXES
1941) Bette Davis was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
1981) Elizabeth Taylor was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2017) Laura Linney was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Laura Jesson in BRIEF ENCOUNTER
1946) Celia Johnson was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
2011) Hannah Yelland was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Cyrano de Bergerac in CYRANO DE BERGERAC
1947) José Ferrer won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1950) José Ferrer won the Best Actor Oscar
1990) Gérard Depardieu was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Joan of Arc in JOAN OF LORRAINE/JOAN OF ARC
1947) Ingrid Bergman won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1948) Ingrid Bergman was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Hamlet in HAMLET
1948) Laurence Olivier won the Best Actor Oscar
1964) Richard Burton was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1995) Ralph Fiennes won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2010) Jude Law was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Dr. Austin Sloper in THE HEIRESS
1948) Basil Rathbone won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1949) Ralph Richardson was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
Blanche DuBois in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
1949) Jessica Tandy won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1951) Vivien Leigh won the Best Actress Oscar
1988) Blythe Danner was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Biff Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN
1949) Arthur Kennedy won the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
1952) Kevin McCarthy was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1999) Kevin Anderson was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
2012) Andrew Garfield was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
Catherine Sloper in THE HEIRESS
1949) Olivia de Havilland won the Best Actress Oscar
1995) Cherry Jones won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Henry VIII in ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS
1949) Rex Harrison won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1969) Richard Burton was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Emma ‘Billie’ Dawn in BORN YESTERDAY
1950) Judy Holiday won the Best Actress Oscar
1989) Madeline Kahn was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2011) Nina Arianda was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Lola Delaney in COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA
1950) Shirley Booth won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1952) Shirley Booth won the Best Actress Oscar
2008) S. Epatha Merkerson was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Veta Louise Simmons in HARVEY
1950) Josephine Hull won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1970) Helen Hayes was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Georgie Elgin in THE COUNTRY GIRL
1951) Uta Hagen won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1954) Grace Kelly won the Best Actress Oscar
Linda Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN
1951) Mildred Dunnock was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1999) Elizabeth Franz won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
2012) Linda Emond was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
Serafina Delle Rose in THE ROSE TATTOO
1951) Maureen Stapleton won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1955) Anna Magnani won the Best Actress Oscar
Stanley Kowalski in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
1951) Marlon Brando was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1992) Alec Baldwin was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Stella Kowalski in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
1951) Kim Hunter won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1988) Frances McDormand was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2005) Amy Ryan was nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Play
Willy Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN
1951) Fredric March was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1976) George C. Scott was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1999) Brian Dennehy won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2012) Philip Seymour Hoffman was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2023) Wendell Pierce was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Anna Leonowens in THE KING AND I
1952) Gertrude Lawrence won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
1956) Deborah Kerr was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
1985) Mary Beth Peil was nominated for the Best Featured Actress Tony
1996) Donna Murphy won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2015) Kelli O’Hara won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
The King of Siam in THE KING AND I
1952) Yul Brynner won the Best Featured Actor in a Musical Tony
1956) Yul Brynner won the Best Actor Oscar
1996) Lou Diamond Phillips was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2015) Ken Watanabe was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
Elizabeth Proctor in THE CRUCIBLE
1953) Beatrice Straight won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1996) Joan Allen was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
2002) Laura Linney was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2016) Sophie Okonedo was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Frank Elgin in THE COUNTRY GIRL
1954) Bing Crosby was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1972) Jason Robards was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Christine Pennmark in THE BAD SEED
1955) Nancy Kelly won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1956) Nancy Kelly was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Howard Bevans in PICNIC
1955) Arthur O’Connell was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
1994) Larry Bryggman was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
Rose Dell Rose in THE ROSE TATTOO
1955) Marisa Pavan was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1967) Maria Tucci was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
Henry Drummond in INHERIT THE WIND
1956) Paul Muni won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1960) Spencer Tracy was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1996) George C. Scott was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2007) Christopher Plummer was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Lizzie Curry in THE RAINMAKER
1956) Katharine Hepburn was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
2000) Jayne Atkinson was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Maggie the Cat in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF
1956) Barbara Bel Geddes was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1958) Elizabeth Taylor was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
1975) Elizabeth Ashley was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1990) Kathleen Turner was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Mrs. St. Maugham in THE CHALK GARDEN
1956) Gladys Cooper was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1964) Edith Evans was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Polo Pope in A HATFUL OF RAIN
1956) Anthony Franciosa was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
1957) Anthony Franciosa was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Richard III in RICHARD III
1956) Laurence Olivier was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
2014) Mark Rylance was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Agnes Gooch in AUNTIE MAME
1957) Peggy Cass won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1958) Peggy Cass was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Alfred P. Doolittle in MY FAIR LADY
1957) Stanlet Holloway was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Musical Tony
1964) Stanley Holloway was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
1976) George Rose won the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2018) Norbert Leo Butz was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Musical Tony
Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY
1957) Rex Harrison won the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
1964) Rex Harrison won the Best Actor Oscar
1976) Ian Richardson was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2018) Harry Hadden-Paton was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
Major Pollock in SEPARATE TABLES
1957) Eric Portman was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1958) David Niven won the Best Actor Oscar
Mame Dennis in AUNTIE MAME
1957) Rosalind Russell was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1958) Rosalind Russell was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Mary Tyrone in LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT
1957) Florence Eldridge was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1962) Katharine Hepburn was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
2003) Vanessa Redgrave won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2016) Jessica Lange won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Pat Cooper in SEPARATE TABLES
1957) Beryl Measor was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1958) Wendy Hiller won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Sibyl Railton-Bell in SEPARATE TABLES
1957) Margaret Leighton won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1958) Deborah Kerr was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Archie Rice in THE ENTERTAINER
1958) Laurence Olivier was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1960) Laurence Olivier was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Eleanor Roosevelt in SUNRISE AT CAMPOBELLO
1958) Mary Fickett was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1960) Greer Garson was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Petronella van Daan in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK
1959) Shelley Winters won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1998) Linda Lavin was nominated for the Best featured Actress in a Play Tony
Alexandra Del Lago in SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH
1960) Geraldine Page was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1962) Geraldine Page was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
1976) Irene Worth won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Annie Sullivan in THE MIRACLE WORKER
1960) Anne Bancroft won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1962) Anne Bancroft won the Best Actress Oscar
Art Hockstader in THE BEST MAN
1960) Lee Tracy was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1964) Lee Tracy was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
2012) James Earl Jones was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Maria von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC
1960) Mary Martin won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
1965) Julie Andrews was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
The Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC
1960) Patricia Neway won the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
1965) Peggy Wood was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Anita in WEST SIDE STORY
1961) Rita Moreno won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
1980) Debbie Allen was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
2009) Karen Olivo won the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
2021) Ariana DeBose won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Henry II in BECKET
1961) Anthony Quinn was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1964) Peter O’Toole was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Irma La Douce in IRMA LA DOUCE
1961) Elizabeth Seal won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
1963) Shirley MacLaine was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Molly Tobin in THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN
1961) Tammy Grimes won the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
1964) Debbie Reynolds was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Sir Thomas Moore IN A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
1962) Paul Scofield won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1966) Paul Scofield won the Best Actor Oscar
Fagin in OLIVER!
1963) Clive Revill was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
1968) Ron Moody was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1984) Ron Moody was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
George in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
1963) Arthur Hill won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1966) Richard Burton was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1977) Ben Gazzara was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2005) Bill Irwin won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2013) Tracy Letts won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Honey in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
1963) Melinda Dillon was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1966) Sandy Dennis won the Best Supporting Actress Tony
2005) Amy Ryan was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
2013) Carrie Coon was nominated for the Best featured Actress in a Play Tony
Martha in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
1963) Uta Hagen won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1966) Elizabeth Taylor won the Best Actress Oscar
1977) Colleen Dewhurst was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2005) Kathleen Turner was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2013) Amy Morton was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
The Artful Dodger in OLIVER!
1963) Davy Jones was nominated for the Best featured Actor in a Play Tony
1968) Jack Wild was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
Fanny Bryce in FUNNY GIRL
1964) Barbra Streisand was nominated for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
1968) Barbra Streisand won the Best Actress Oscar
Mrs. Higgins in MY FAIR LADY
1964) Gladys Cooper was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
2018) Diana Rigg was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
Rose Bryce in FUNNY GIRL
1964) Kay Medford was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
1968) Kay Medford was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Iago in OTHELLO
1965) Frank Finlay was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
1982) Christopher Plummer was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
John Cleary in THE SUBJECT WAS ROSES
1965) Jack Albertson won the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
1968) Jack Albertson won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
1965) Zero Mostel won the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
1971) Topol was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
1982) Herschel Bernardi was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
1991) Topol was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2004) Alfred Molina was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2016) Danny Burstein was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
Eleanor of Aquitaine in THE LION IN WINTER
1966) Rosemary Harris won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1968) Katharine Hepburn won the Best Actress Oscar
1999) Stockard Channing was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Nick in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?
1966) George Segal was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
2005) David Harbour was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
Susy Hendrix in WAIT UNTIL DARK
1966) Lee Remick was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1967) Audrey Hepburn was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Toni Simmons in CACTUS FLOWER
1966) Brenda Vaccaro was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1969) Goldie Hawn won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
The Master of Ceremonies in CABARET
1967) Joel Grey won the Best Featured Actor in a Musical Tony
1972) Joel Grey won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
1998) Alan Cumming won the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2024) Eddie Redmayne was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
Jean Brodie in THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE
1968) Zoe Caldwell won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1969) Maggie Smith won the Best Actress Oscar
Tom Garrison in I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER
1968) Alan Webb was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1970) Melvyn Douglas was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Eleanor Bachman in THE GREAT WHITE HOPE
1969) Jane Alexander won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1970) Jane Alexander was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Jack Jefferson in THE GREAT WHITE HOPE
1969) James Earl Jones won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1970) James Earl Jones was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Mrs. Baker in BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE
1970) Eileen Heckart was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1972) Eileen Heckart won the Supporting Actress Oscar
Lenny Bruce in LENNY
1972) Cliff Gorman won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1974) Dustin Hoffman was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Sally Bowles in CABARET
1972) Liza Minnelli won the Best Actress Oscar
1988) Alyson Reed was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
1998) Natasha Richardson won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2024) Gayle Rankin was nominated for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
Willie Clark in THE SUNSHINE BOYS
1973) Jack Albertson was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1975) Walter Matthau was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Alan Strang in EQUUS
1975) Peter Firth was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1977) Peter Firth was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
Doris in SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR
1975) Ellen Burstyn won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1978) Ellen Burstyn was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Hedda Gabler in HEDDA GABLER
1975) Glenda Jackson was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
2002) Kate Burton was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Roxie Hart in CHICAGO
1976) Gwen Verdon was nominated for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2002) Renée Zellweger was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Velma Kelly in CHICAGO
1976) Chita Rivera was nominated for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
1997) Bebe Neuwirth won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2002) Catherine Zeta-Jones won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Jennie Malone in CHAPTER TWO
1978) Anita Gillette was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1979) Marsha Mason was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Ethel Thayer in ON GOLDEN POND
1979) Frances Sternhagen was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1981) Katharine Hepburn won the Best Actress Oscar
Scottie Templeton in TRIBUTE
1979) Jack Lemmon was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1980) Jack Lemmon was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Sweeney Todd in SWEENEY TODD
1979) Len Cariou won the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
1991) Bob Gunton was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2006) Michael Cerveris was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2007) Johnny Depp was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
2023) Josh Groban was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
James Leeds in CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD
1980) John Rubinstein won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1986) William Hurt was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Sarah Norman in CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD
1980) Phyllis Frelich won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1986) Marlee Matlin won the Best Actress Oscar
2018) Lauren Ridloff was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Antonio Salieri in AMADEUS
1981) Ian McKellen won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1984) F. Murray Abraham won the Best Actor Oscar
2000) David Suchet was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in AMADEUS
1981) Tim Curry was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1984) Tom Hulce was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Norman Thayer in ON GOLDEN POND
1981) Henry Fonda won the Best Actor Oscar
2005) James Earl Jones was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Agnes in AGNES OF GOD
1982) Amanda Plummer won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1985) Meg Tilly was nominated for the Best Supporting Actres Oscar
Carla Albanese in NINE
1982) Anita Moris was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
2003) Jane Krakowski won the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
2009) Penélope Cruz was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Effie White in DREAMGIRLS
1982) Jennifer Holliday won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2006) Jennifer Hudson won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Mother Miriam in AGNES OF GOD
1982) Geraldine Page was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1985) Anne Bancroft was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Norman in THE DRESSER
1982) Tom Courtenay was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
1983) Tom Courtenay was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Babe McGrath Botrelle in CRIMES OF THE HEART
1982) Mia Dillon was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
1986) Sissy Spacek was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Sergeant Vernon C. Waters in A SOLDIER’S STORY
1984) Adolph Caesar was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
2020) David Alan Grier won the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
Richard Roma in GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS
1984) Joe Mantegna won the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
1992) Al Pacino was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
2005) Live Schreiber won the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
Carrie Watts in THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL
1985) Geraldine Page won the Best Actress Oscar
2013) Cicely Tyson won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Levee in MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
1985) Charles S. Dutton was nominated for the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
2020) Chadwick Boseman was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Ma Rainey in MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
1985) Theresa Merritt was nominated for the Best featured Actress in a Play Tony
2020) Viola Davis was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Jean Valjean in LES MISÉRABLES
1987) Colm Wilkinson was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
2012) Hugh Jackman was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
2014) Ramin Karimloo was nominated for the Best Actor in a Musical Tony
Marquise de Merteuil in DANGEROUS LIAISONS
1987) Lindsay Duncan was nominated for the Actress in a Play Tony
1988) Glenn Close was nominated in the Best Actress Oscar
Rose Maxson in FENCES
1987) Mary Alice won the Best Featured Actor in a Play Tony
2010) Viola Davis won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2016) Viola Davis won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Troy Maxson in FENCES
1987) James Earl Jones won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2010) Denzel Washington won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2016) Denzel Washington was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Daisy Werthan in DRIVING MISS DAISY
1989) Jessica Tandy won the Best Actress Oscar
2011) Vanessa Redgrave was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Shirley Valentine in SHIRLEY VALENTINE
1989) Pauline Collins won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1989) Pauline Collins was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Ouisa Kittredge in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION
1991) Stockard Channing was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
1993) Stockard Channing was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
The Witch in INTO THE WOODS
2002) Vanessa Williams was nominated for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2014) Meryl Streep was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Father Flynn in DOUBT
2005) Brian F. O’Byrne was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2008) Philip Seymour Hoffman was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar
2024) Live Schreiber was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
Mrs. Muller in DOUBT
2005) Adriane Lenox won the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
2008) Viola Davis was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
2024) Quincy Tyler Bernstine was nominated for the Best featured Actress in a Play Tony
Sister Aloyius in DOUBT
2005) Cherry Jones won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2008) Meryl Streep was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
2024) Amy Ryan was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
Sister James in DOUBT
2005) Heather Goldenhersh was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Play Tony
2008) Amy Adams was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Becca Corbett in RABBIT HOLE
2006) Cynthia Nixon won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2010) Nicole Kidman was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Sofia Johnson in THE COLOR PURPLE
2006) Felicia P. Fields was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
2016) Danielle Brooks was nominated for the Best Featured Actress in a Musical Tony
2023) Danielle Brooks was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Richard Nixon in FROST/NIXON
2007) Frank Langella won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2008) Frank Langella was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Lord Macbeth in MACBETH
2008) Patrick Stewart was nominated for the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2021) Denzel Washington was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar
Barbara Weston in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
2008) Amy Morton was nominated for the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2013) Julia Roberts was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Violet Weston in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY
2008) Deanna Dunagan won the Best Actress in a Play Tony
2013) Meryl Streep was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Andre/Anthony in THE FATHER
2016) Frank Langells won the Best Actor in a Play Tony
2020) Anthony Hopkins won the Best Actor Oscar
…and finally, the reasons for this write-up…
Elphaba in WICKED
2004) Idina Menzel won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2024) Cynthia Erivo is nominated for the Best Actress Oscar
Glinda in WICKED
2004) Kristin Chenoweth was nominated for the Best Actress in a Musical Tony
2024) Ariana Grande is nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar
Overall, 128 roles have been recognized both with Tony and Oscar nominations. However, some of those theater prizes came after the text had already made its transfer to the screen. Sometimes, this happens because the original run of the plays and their film adaptations predate the Tonys. See The Little Foxes, nominated for several Oscars in 1941 and then revived on Broadway over the decades to great acclaim and Tony victories. Then, you have oft-revived shows like Death of a Salesman, where Tony acclaim comes after its movie adaptation. Willy Loman is the most nominated character in Best Actor in a Play history, but its first Tony nomination postdates Fredric March’s Oscar nomination with the same role.
Taking those cases away, we end up with 97 roles that earned Tony nominations before their film adaptations were made, resulting in matching Oscar nominations.
Of the past 95 Tony-to-Oscar nomination cases (Elphaba and Glinda excluded), 28 resulted in an Academy Award victory. That’s around a 29% success rate.
Of 97 Tony-to-Oscar nomination cases (Elphaba and Glinda included), 52 were Tony-winning roles. That’s roughly 54%.
Of the 51 roles that won a Tony (excluding Elphaba) and then were nominated by the Academy of Motion Pictures, 20 also won the Oscar. That’s around 38%, a percentage that could grow if Erivo wins.
But speaking of data that’s specific to the WICKED ladies, there have been 38 Tony-nominated roles that resulted in Best Actress Oscar nominations. Out of 37 (excluding Elphaba), 10 won. That’s roughly 27%.
Looking at Best Supporting Actress alone, 20 roles (including Glinda) were Tony-nominated and then earned Oscar nominations in the category. Out of the 19 (excluding Glinda), 7 won. That’s roughly 37%, better odds than Erivo.
Looking specifically at Best Actress in a Musical Tony nominees, we find 10 roles (including Elphaba and Glinda) that earned Oscar nominations. Out of 8 (excluding Elphaba and Glinda), 3 won. That’s 37,5%.
Moreover, 4 of those 10 cases (including Elphaba and Glinda), were nominated as leads by Tony and Supporting by Oscar. Looking at the three past cases – Velma Kelly in CHICAGO, Effie White in DREAMGIRLS, and The Witch in INTO THE WOODS – two won.
There have been 6 Best Actress in a Musical winning roles that earned Oscar nominations. Two of the five past cases won the Oscar. But in both cases, they won the Oscar in Supporting.
These category switcharoos aren’t uncommon in the relationship between the Tonys and the Oscars. A total of 13 roles were considered lead by the Tonys before being nominated as Supporting with AMPAS. Out of the past 12 cases, 4 won.
You can probably surmise other data from that list, but this is all for now. It’ll be interesting to see how the numbers change in the event either Erivo or Grande or both win on March 2nd.
What’s a Tony-to-Oscar you wish had happened but didn’t? My answer is probably Robert Preston in The Music Man.
Reader Comments (6)
What roles do we see joining the list?
A big Hamilton movie seems inevitable, in which case Aaron Burr, Angelica Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton at a minimum seem probable (Burr seems likely to be shunted into Supporting like Glinda was).
The main role in Prima Facie seems meaty enough to get any capable actress into contention (I believe Cynthia Erivo is playing the role in an upcoming adaptation?)
Company is a beloved show that seems primed for an adaptation eventually - whoever plays Robert and Joanne could get into contention.
Fun Home, another brilliant show that's primed for an adaptation, feels like a rich opportunity for whoever plays Bruce and Helen Bechdel.
Herbert Marshall was not nominated for THE LITTLE FOXES.
Duncan -- I like to imagine that, if they ever make a NEXT TO NORMAL movie with the right actress, she'll be a slam-dunk Oscar frontrunner. My dream would have been Toni Collette directed by Todd Haynes.
Wae Mest -- Fixed that. I let my love for that performance get the best of me. I also cut out the lead in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST, as its credits only mention the novel, not the play adaptation that predates Forman's film.
With 10 nominations (and 6 wins) -- and she'll surely add to that haul this year with GYPSY -- the fact that Audra McDonald isn't included in this list is a rebuke to Hollywood. Give her an Oscar role for one of her Tony wins, damn you!
In terms of future musical roles to get nominated, I think we're all just waiting/hoping/wishing for Patrick Wilson to star in a NEXT TO NORMAL or FUN HOME and get his (musical film) dues finally.
Harvey Fierstein - Torch Song Trilogy - 1983/1988
What’s a Tony-to-Oscar you wish had happened but didn’t?
I think the perspective of time allows most of us to agree the most egregious omission in this Tony to Oscar question is AMPAS failing to nominate Audrey Hepburn for My Fair Lady in 1964 after Julie Andrews was Tony nominated for the role of Eliza Doolittle in 1956.