Tony Awards 2025 winners: Succession’s Sarah Snook kicks off the night as she scores Best Actress award for her Broadway debut
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The star-studded 78th Annual Tony Awards were held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday.
The show, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, celebrated Broadway’s brightest talents in singing, acting, dancing and more.
Sarah Snook, 37, was the first winner of the night for Best Leading Actress in a Play. Snook delivered an unbelievable performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, playing all 26 characters, including Dorian and Lord Henry.
The Succession star made her Broadway debut in the ambitious stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1890 novel, directed and written by Kipp Williams.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter presented her with the award.
Sarah beat out a strong lineup of nominees including Laura Donnelly for The Hills of California, Mia Farrow for The Roommate, LaTanya Richardson Jackson for Purpose, and Sadie Sink for John Proctor Is the Villain.
Sarah Snook, 37, was the first winner at the star-studded 78th Annual Tony Awards on Sunday
Snook noted that the Tony Awards audience is an ‘intimidating room of incredibly talented people.’
She went on: ‘Thank you so much for this. This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway.’
‘Thank you to my incredible team… and just everybody on stage. [The Picture of Dorian Gray] is billed as a one person show, and I don’t feel alone any night that I do this show.’
‘There are so many people on the stage making it work and so many people behind the stage making it work.’
She also thanked her husband Dave Lawson: ‘And an exceptional thank you, the biggest thank you I can ever give to my husband, my soulmate, you are so brilliant holding family together and looking after the phones.’
The Picture of Dorian Gray follows a handsome young man whose painted portrait grotesquely ages with each of his sins, while he remains eternally youthful.
Francis Jue, 61, won the best featured actor in a play for his performance in Yellow Face.
Katie Holmes and Danielle Brooks presented him with the award.
He beat out Glenn Davis for Purpose, Gabriel Ebert for John Proctor Is the Villain, Bob Odenkirk for Glengarry Glen Ross, and Conrad Ricamora, Oh, Mary!
He gave a passionate speech, telling the crowd: ‘For those who don’t feel seen, for those being targeted in these authoritarian times, I see you. At its best, this community sees you. And I hope that encourages you to be brave and to dream and to dream big.’
He began his speech saying: ’20 years ago, wonderful actor, singer Alvin Ng gave me this tux. He had it made for himself for the opening of “Pacific overtures” on Broadway in 1976.’
She won for Best Leading Actress in a Play. Snook delivered an unbelievable performance in The Picture of Dorian Gray, playing all 26 characters
The Succession star made her Broadway debut in the ambitious stage adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel
‘Thank you so much for this. This means so much for a little Australian girl to be here on Broadway,’ Sarah told the crowd as she accepted the award
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter presented her with the award
Sarah beat out a strong lineup of nominees including Laura Donnelly for The Hills of California , Mia Farrow for The Roommate, LaTanya Richardson Jackson for Purpose, and Sadie Sink for John Proctor Is the Villain
‘When he gave it to me he told me he wanted me to wear it when I accepted my Tony award. I am only here because of the encouragement and inspiration of generations of wonderful Asian artists who came before me, and never got the opportunities that I have had.’
‘It can be difficult in challenging times to be brave, so I would like to thank Scott Ellis and roundabout theater for daring to do a play called “Yellow face” in an election season. Thank you to David Henry long for me and so many others of voice.’
David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face is a semi-autobiographical satirical comedy that explores the complexities of race and identity.
English actor Jak Malone, 30, nabbed the win for best featured actor in a musical, for his performance in Operation Mincemeat.
He beat out Brooks Ashmanskas for Smash, Jeb Brown for Dead Outlaw, Danny Burstein for Gypsy, and Taylor Trensch for Floyd Collins.
In an impassioned speech, Malone told the audience: ‘Eight times a week I walk out on that stage and tell the audience I’m a woman. I’m not one. I only convey it through simple adjustment to posture, voice, and energy, but night after night the audience is believe in Hester.’
‘If you watched our show and found yourself believing in Hester, I’m so glad to tell you that intentionally or otherwise you might have just bid farewell to cynicism, outdated ideas of that rotten old binary and open yourself up to a world that’s already out there in glorious technicolor and isn’t going away anytime soon.’
He received the award from Adam Lambert and Charli D’Amelio.
Operation Mincemeat is a fast-paced musical comedy dramatizing the true 1943 Allied deception: tricking the Nazis into believing they’d invade Greece instead of Sicily.
Kara Young won best featured actress in a play for her performance in Purpose.
Francis Jue, 61, won the best featured actor in a play for his performance in Yellow Face
He gave a passionate speech, telling the crowd: ‘For those who don’t feel seen, for those being targeted in these authoritarian times, I see you. At its best, this community sees you. And I hope that encourages you to be brave and to dream and to dream big’
Katie Holmes and Danielle Brooks presented him with the award
English actor Jak Malone, 30, nabbed the win for best featured actor in a musical, for his performance in Operation Mincemeat
In an impassioned speech, Malone told the audience: ‘Eight times a week I walk out on that stage and tell the audience I’m a woman. I’m not one. I only convey it through simple adjustment to posture, voice, and energy, but night after night the audience is believe in Hester’
‘If you watched our show and found yourself believing in Hester, I’m so glad to tell you that intentionally or otherwise you might have just bid farewell to cynicism, outdated ideas of that rotten old binary and open yourself up to a world that’s already out there in glorious technicolor and isn’t going away anytime soon’
He received the award from Adam Lambert and Charli D’Amelio
She triumphed over Tala Ashe for English, Jessica Hecht for Eureka Day, Marjan Neshat for English, and Fina Strazza for John Proctor Is the Villain.
Purpose is a darkly comedic family drama that delves into the complex legacy of a prominent African-American family.
Kara sweetly thanked her mother before making a statement on how theater brings people together, even in a world that often feels fractured.
‘Thank you to my mother and my father. My mother, who is my date, Vanessa Jenkins Young. My Belizean queen of the bay who cooked and stewed and brewed me for nine months. Thank you. My father, Klay Young, and my brother, Klay Jr. I love you guys.’
She then stated: ‘In this world that we are so divided, theater is a sacred space! It’s a sacred space that we have to honor and treasure. And it makes us united. Thank you so much.’
She was presented the award by Carrie Preston and Harry Potter star Tom Felton.
The Best Featured Actress in a Musical award went to Natalie Venetia Belcon, 56, for her performance in Buena Vista Social Club.
It was her first Tony nomination and win, and the star got emotional while accepting her award.
At one point Belcon also joked about having an ‘obsession’ with actor Jason Momoa, quipping, ‘Hey, Jason. How you doing?’
The Buena Vista Social Club musical is inspired by the true events surrounding the creation of the Grammy-winning album of the same name and the lives of the iconic Cuban musicians who created it.
Belcon then thanked the ‘real Buena Vista Social Club, who of course we could not do this without. I hope you will see this. I hope you are proud of us. It is such an honor to portray you.’
‘My fellow nominees, your performances are all incredibly inspiring. My friends and family, thank you for listening to me cry and cackle and complain at 3:00 in the morning.’
She won out against Julia Knitel for Dead Outlaw, Gracie Lawrence for Just in Time, and Justina Machado for Real Women Have Curves, and Joy Woods for Gypsy.
She received the award from Rachel Bay Jones and Kristin Chenoweth.
Kara Young won best featured actress in a play for her performance in Purpose
‘In this world that we are so divided, theater is a sacred space! It’s a sacred space that we have to honor and treasure. And it makes us united,’ she stated in her acceptance speech
She was presented the award by Carrie Preston and Harry Potter star Tom Felton
The Best Featured Actress in a Musical award went to Natalie Venetia Belcon, 56, for her performance in Buena Vista Social Club
It was her first Tony nomination and win, and the star got emotional while accepting her award
At one point she also joked about having an ‘obsession’ with actor Jason Momoa, quipping, ‘Hey, Jason. How you doing?’
She then thanked the ‘real Buena Vista Social Club, who of course we could not do this without. I hope you will see this. I hope you are proud of us. It is such an honor to portray you’
She received the award from Rachel Bay Jones and Kristin Chenoweth
The best new play award went to author Branden Jacobs Jenkins and producer Glenn Davis for Purpose
They were presented the award by actor Ben Stiller
The best new play award went to author Branden Jacobs Jenkins and producer Glenn Davis for Purpose.
They were up against Oh, Mary!, John Proctor Is the Villain, English, and The Hills of California.
The most prestigious ceremony honoring theatre is hosted by three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo, who kicked off the show with a thrilling performance featuring Oprah.
This year features major star power in the lead actor and actress categories.
George Clooney is competing for his massively successful play Good Night, And Good Luck — an adaptation of the film of the same name that he directed, co-wrote and costarred in — for the lead actor in a play category, while acting legend Mia Farrow is competing against Succession star Sarah Snook and Stranger Things star Sadie Sink in the lead actress in a play category.
Darren Criss and Jonathan Groff are adding some star power to the lead actor in a musical category, while Megan Hilty, Nicole Scherzinger and Broadway legend Audra McDonald are some of the biggest names in the lead actress in a musical category.
Bob Odenkirk is best known for his film and television work, including his acclaimed run on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, but he’s now nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play category for his turn in the revival of David Mamet’s iconic drama of desperation, Glengarry Glen Ross.
Presenters this year include Charli D’Amelio, Michelle Williams, Hacks’ Jean Smart, LaTanya Richardson Jackson and Lea Salonga, all of whom are currently appearing on Broadway.
The stage icon Kristin Chenoweth will also be presenting, while Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter will have a Bill and Ted reunion on stage ahead of their upcoming production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot. Glee star Lea Michele will also be joined on stage by Aaron Tveit.
Several former Tony winners will be helping to announce awards, including Oprah Winfrey, Bryan Cranston, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sarah Paulson, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Kelli O’Hara and Rachel Bay Jones.
And the other presenters aren’t exactly slouches, as several of them have Oscars and Grammy Awards to their names. They include Ben Stiller, Samuel L. Jackson, Katie Holmes, Jesse Eisenberg, Allison Janney, Ariana DeBose, Adam Lambert, Carrie Preston, Danielle Brooks and Sara Bareilles.
Going into the 2025 ceremony, three musicals are leading the pack with 10 nominations each: Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her and Maybe Happy.
Buena Vista Social Club is inspired by the beloved Cuban ensemble of the same name, which recorded a hit eponymous album in 1997 and was documented in Wim Wenders’ acclaimed documentary (also of the same name) in 1999.
Death Becomes Her is based on the Robert Zemeckis fantastical black comedy from 1992, which starred Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Bruce Willis.
George Clooney is competing for his massively successful play Good Night, And Good Luck in the lead actor in a play category; pictured with wife Amal Clooney
Acting legend Mia Farrow is competing in the lead actress in a play category; pictured May 16 in NYC; pictured with son Ronan Farrow
Snook wowed earlier on the red carpet
Pictured with husband Dave Lawson, whom she thanked in her acceptance speech
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is nominated for John Proctor Is The Villain
Nicole Scherzinger and Lea Michele brought plenty of glamour to the red carpet
Brooke Shields put on a leggy display
Ariana DeBose wowed in a cream silk dress while Katie Holmes opted for a pop of color
The show is being held on the hallowed stage of Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday, June 8, and it is hosted by three-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo
Cole Escola, 38, is nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Play for his performance in Oh, Mary! which he wrote and stars in
Darren Criss and Jonathan Groff are both nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical category
Unlike those musicals, which are adapted from existing music and films, Maybe Happy is a science fiction–romance that originated in South Korea. It follows two android helper-bots who develop feelings for each other, despite the fact that their short life spans threaten any future plans.
Dead Outlaw, John Proctor Is The Villain, Sunset Blvd. and The Hills Of California are all tied for seven Tony nominations, while Floyd Collins, Justin In Time, Purpose and The Picture Of Dorian Gray are tied for six.
Dead Outlaw and Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical are also competing in the Best Musical category, while English, The Hills Of California, John Proctor Is The Villain, Oh, Mary! and Purpose are vying for Best Play.
Purpose and English have already been honored with Pulitzer Prizes.
This year’s nominated revivals include Eureka Day, Romeo + Juliet, Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face in the play category, while Floyd Collins, Gypsy, Pirates! The Penzanze Musical and Sunset Blvd. fill out the Best Revival of a Musical category.
The performances this year will highlight all of the new and revived musical nominees, as well as Just In Time and Real Women Have Curves, which weren’t nominated in best musical or revival but did receive other major nominations.
The 2025 Tonys will look to the past as well with a tribute to Hamilton for its 10th anniversary as the original cast reunites for a performance.
Miranda will be accompanied by Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Daveed Diggs, Ariana DeBose, Jonathan Groff and Christopher Jackson, all of whom were part of the original production.
Bob Odenkirk is best known for Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, but he’s now nominated in the Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play category for Glengarry Glen Ross; Odenkirk (R) is pictured with costars Bill Burr (L) and Kieran Culkin (center)
Former Tony winner Oprah Winfrey (L) is among the stars presenting at the ceremony
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (pictured in the film) will reunite to present ahead of their performance in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting For Godot
Lin-Manuel Miranda (second to right) will join the original cast of Hamilton to pay tribute to his hit musical for its 10th anniversary; pictured with original stars Leslie Odom Jr. (L), Phillipa Soo (second to left) and Ariana DeBose (R)
Erivo, 38, was better known for her work in the theatre before expanding into a successful film and television career.
The Wicked Star — who recently stirred up controversy when she was announced as the star of a production of Jesus Christ Superstar being held at the Hollywood Bowl in August — is already three-quarters of the way toward completing the rare and coveted EGOT after winning an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony.
Along the way, she also received nominations for four Golden Globe Awards, two British Academy Film Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards.
She previously starred on Broadway in the popular adaptation of The Color Purple, which led to her performing its song I’m Here at the 2016 Tonys.
The three-hour show, which starts at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT, can be watched live on CBS or streamed on Paramount+ with Showtime. Users with the Paramount+ Essential subscription will have the option to begin watching the show on the following day.
