Lead Actor in a Play 2026

John Lithgow will win his third Tony this year. 

I would love for Will Harrison to secure a nomination.

As of this moment ...?

LOCKS

• Nathan Lane - Death of a Salesman
• John Lithgow - Giant
• Mark Strong - Oedipus

STRONGER POSSIBILITY

• Will Harrison - Punch
• Daniel Radcliffe- Every Brilliant Thing
• Namir Smallwood - Bug
• Adrian Brody - Fear of 13 

POSSIBILITY

• Joshua Boone- Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (not in previews yet)
• Jon Bernthal - Dog Day Afternoon 
• Micah Stock - Little Bear Ridge Road
• James Corden - Art

Updated On: 3/31/26 at 01:24 AM

surferbro24 said: "saw both. john wasgreat. nathan ona whole other level."

Agreed. Lithgow is brilliant — but everyone knew he would be and his performance was exactly as I expected it to be. Lane is a revelation and is giving a career best performance (so far). 

Kad said: "WiCkEDrOcKS said: "John Lithgow will win his third Tony this year."

It is wild to me that Lithgow is 80. I mean, intellectually, yes, I know that's true, but it just doesn't feel true."

Lithgow's older than Alec Guinness when he first played Obi-Wan Kenobi.

I thought Lane was great, but that didn't surprise me at all after seeing hm in The Iceman Cometh and Angels in America.  I can easily imagine voting being quite close between Lane and Lithgow given what voters may associate with them and expect from them. 

Personally, I'd give a slight edge to Lithgow because while many people can do—and have done—a great Willy Loman, I don't think as many actors would be as masterful with Dahl as Lithgow is in Giant.

After the Dog Day Afternoon reviews tonight, I'm feeling good about having dropped Jon Bernthal from my nomination predictions in favor of Don Cheadle.

But as far as the winner goes, John Lithgow seems fairly safe, although there's a world where Nathan Lane or even Daniel Radcliffe takes it instead.

I would add Alden Ehrenreich to that list. One of my favorite performances and revivals this season, though he probably won’t secure a nomination given the other names involved.

TheOtherOne2 said: "pathman2 said: "I would addAlden Ehrenreich to that list. One of my favorite performances and revivals this season, though he probably won’t secure a nomination given the other names involved."

Great actor, and I look forward to seeing his performance later this week, but is he considered lead or featured?"

I would consider Alden and Lauren Patten to be the leads, and you could argue as to whether the roles Patrick Ball and Madeleine Brewer play are lead or supporting. Linda Edmond is definitely supporting. 

CoffeeBreak said: "As of this moment ...?

LOCKS

• Nathan Lane - Death of a Salesman
• John Lithgow - Giant
• Mark Strong - Oedipus

STRONGER POSSIBILITY

• Will Harrison - Punch
• Daniel Radcliffe- Every Brilliant Thing
• Namir Smallwood - Bug
• Adrian Brody - Fear of 13

POSSIBILITY

• Joshua Boone- Joe Turner’s Come and Gone(not in previews yet)
• Jon Bernthal - Dog Day Afternoon
• Micah Stock - Little Bear Ridge Road
• James Corden - Art

"

I agree on the three locks. Of the possibilities, I'd currently rank Radcliffe as the strongest based on the raves for his work and then would say Corden as #5 as of now, though I'd bump him for Alden Ehrenreich if he gets the reviews I think he deserves in Becky Shaw. I think Pullen was terrific but worry that show might be forgotten. Response to Smallwood and Stocke was mixed. Brody can be a polarizing figure. And those Dog Day Afternoon reviews might have sunk Bernthal's chances. Whether Boone is a real player (or anyone in The Balusters, maybe?)...we'll have to see! And then there's Cheadle. It IS a featured role, but I wouldn't be surprised to see him petitioned to lead, which would throw a wrench in things!

Broadway61004 said: "KevinKlawitter said: "After theDog Day Afternoonreviewstonight, I'm feeling good about having dropped Jon Bernthal from my nomination predictionsin favor of Don Cheadle."

I would assume Cheadle is going to be considered featured? It's really not a leading role (and if either of the male characters were to be considered leading, it actually would probably be the other) and Larry Bryggman was considered featured in the original."

I'm just going with what Gold Derby has listed right now. I'm guessing they have Cheadle in Lead and not Featured because his name is above the title.

Assuming he's going to be recategorized, I'd probaby swap him out for Alden Ehrenreich. And assuming he's recategorized, possibly Joshua Boone or Will Harrison.

CoffeeBreak said: "Wouldn't Ehrenreich be supporting?

The role was nominated for a Lortel, Drama League etc. supportingwhen Off-Broadway.

He deserves a nomination in whatever category."

Actually, the role Patrick Ball is currently playing is what received a Lortel supporting nomination for Thomas Sadoski. I don’t think the original actor who played Max received any acting nominations.