Who Deserves the Next Lifetime Achievement Tony Award? — Page 3

Wayman_Wong said: "Julie Andrew is SO overdue for a Lifetime Achievement Tony. She's created two of the most iconic leading lady roles as Eliza in ''My Fair Lady'' and Guinevere in ''Camelot.'' She's known worldwide as the film star of ''The Sound of Music.'' She's always been such a goodwill ambassador for musical theater. She's now 88, and 2024 marks the 70th anniversary of her Broadway debut in ''The Boyfriend.''"

I don't know about Julie Andrew, but Julie Andrews, while an icon, only has 4 Broadway credits to her name and exactly one in the last 60 years. Is she a legend? Yes. But this award is "lifetime achievement in the theatre", not "create two iconic roles early in your career and then mostly avoid theatre after that". This award should be going to someone who has regularly contributed new work to the theatre for at least 30-40 years.

Julie Andrews or Carol Burnett would be amazing !! They might not have a ton of credits but what they have done for entertainment as a whole more than makes up for that! Barbra too!


Also another name that comes to mind Brenda Vaccaro!! She’s never won and has done a lot!


Eileen Atkins !!

Updated On: 3/27/24 at 09:47 PM

Des McAnuff? I don’t feel like his work on the Tommy revival will earn him a nomination, but he hasn’t won a tony award(as a director) since the original Tommy. It would be a nice “full circle” moment if you will.

I have enjoyed Andre De Shields on stage in starring and featured roles for 45 years. He's brought a brilliant cocktail of class and sensuality to every part he's played. He gets my vote.

Begs the question: is this a lifetime achievement for Broadway? If so, does four shows constitute enough of a portfolio for a lifetime achievement award.

i love Maggie Smith, and have seen her in more productions in London than NYC.

Tom Stoppard should be in consideration as well. Only author to write 5 Tony-winning Best Plays (in 5 different decades nonetheless over the span of almost 60 years, showing his longevity). Plus his other works and countless revivals of them. Clearly someone who's earned a lifetime achievement recognition.

Updated On: 3/31/24 at 03:24 PM

Broadway61004 said: "Tom Stoppard should be in consideration as well. Only author to write 5 Tony-winning Best Plays (in 5 different decades nonetheless over the span of almost 60 years, showing his longevity). Plus his other works and countless revivals of them. Clearly someone who's earned a lifetime achievement recognition."

I didn’t think of him since I don’t actually enjoy most of his plays, but this clearly makes sense. To me, he moves to the top of the list.

"I don't know about Julie Andrew, but Julie Andrews, while an icon, only has 4 Broadway credits to her name"

Julie Andrews had been referenced numerous times in this thread prior to my post. Clearly, I meant Andrews. No need to be so pedantic and snarky about an obvious typo.

As for Andrews not being worthy of a Lifetime Achievement Tony, there's still a special Tony that can be given. In 1969, the Tonys gave one to Carol Burnett, even though she appeared only in 2 shows in the '60s: ''Once Upon a Mattress'' and ''Fade Out, Fade In.'' In 1970, the Tonys gave a special Tony to Barbra Streisand as ''Star of the Decade,'' though she was only in two Broadway musicals in the '60s. In 1974, the Tonys gave a special Tony to Bette Midler and Liza Minnelli, each for ''adding lustre to the Broadway season.'' Etc. ... The Tonys can do whatever they want.

Finally, Andrews' history with the Tonys consists of more than her 3 past nominations. She co-hosted the Tonys in 1970, 1984 and 1991 - making her one of the few (if not only) to co-host the Tonys once in each of three decades. In 1996, Andrews declined her "Victor/Victoria'' nomination to stick up for her ''egregiously overlooked'' cast and creative team. But the following year, the Tonys invited her back to recognize her 730th and final performance in ''Victor/ Victoria" and she presented Musical Revival to "Chicago."

Updated On: 4/2/24 at 04:34 PM

Well-deserved for both, particularly O'Brien.

In my latest piece for Gold Derby, I’ve provided a poll asking people which male Broadway veteran deserves the next Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. Among the options are...

John Caird
Tim Curry
Scott Ellis
Victor Garber
Mark Jacoby
Craig Lucas
Randy Skinner
Lewis J. Stadlen
Danny Troob
Chip Zien

https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/2025-tony-awards-lifetime-achievement-award-men/

Sorry, but I’m not taking a list of all white men seriously. What a joke

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "In my latest piece for Gold Derby, I’ve provided a poll asking people which male Broadway veteran deserves the next Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. Among the options are...

John Caird
Tim Curry
Scott Ellis
Victor Garber
Mark Jacoby
Craig Lucas
Randy Skinner
Lewis J. Stadlen
Danny Troob
Chip Zien

https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/2025-tony-awards-lifetime-achievement-award-men/"

Since your separating by sex, where's your list of female suggestions?

In my latest piece for Gold Derby, I’ve provided a poll asking people which female Broadway veteran deserves the next Lifetime Achievement Tony Award. Among the options are...

Jane Alexander
Elizabeth Ashley
Eileen Atkins
Ellen Burstyn
Tovah Feldshuh
Judy Kuhn
Dana Ivey
Bernadette Peters
Susan Stroman
Zoë Wanamaker

https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/2025-tonys-lifetime-achievement-award-poll-women/