Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Nathan Lane

How Nathan Lane built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Nathan Lane is a highly acclaimed American actor celebrated for his diverse performances in theater, film, and television. He's garnered significant recognition, including three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, three Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Actor Award. Lane's contributions to the entertainment industry were further acknowledged with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and his induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2008. The New York Times lauded him as "the greatest stage entertainer of the decade" in 2010, highlighting his exceptional talent and impact.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1996: Tony Award for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

In 1996, Nathan Lane won a Tony Award for his work in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

1996: When Pigs Fly

In 1996, the off-Broadway revue When Pigs Fly premiered. From this show Nathan Lane performed the song 'Laughing Matters' in 2026

2001: Tony Award for The Producers

In 2001, Nathan Lane won a Tony Award for his performance in The Producers.

2003: Butley at The Huntington Theater Company

In 2003, Nathan Lane played a dramatic role in Simon Gray's Butley to great success at The Huntington Theater Company in Boston.

2005: Rejoined Broderick for The Odd Couple

In 2005, Lane rejoined Matthew Broderick for a successful limited run of The Odd Couple.

January 9, 2006: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On January 9, 2006, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick received adjacent stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a joint ceremony, honoring their contributions to the entertainment industry.

2008: Played the President in November

In 2008, Nathan Lane played the President of the United States in David Mamet's political satire, November, directed by Joe Mantello.

2009: Starred in The Addams Family Musical

In 2009, Nathan Lane starred as Gomez in the musical version of The Addams Family in Chicago.

2010: Modern Family

From 2010, Nathan Lane portrayed Pepper Saltzman in the ABC sitcom Modern Family.

Loading Video...

2012: Clarke Hayden in The Good Wife

From 2012, Nathan Lane played Clarke Hayden in the legal series The Good Wife.

Loading Video...

2012: Starred in The Iceman Cometh

In 2012, Nathan Lane starred as Hickey in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, directed by Robert Falls.

2013: Return to Broadway in The Nance

In the spring of 2013, Nathan Lane returned to Broadway in The Nance, a Lincoln Center production.

2014: PBS Live from Lincoln Center

In 2014, The Nance aired on PBS Live from Lincoln Center, featuring Nathan Lane's performance.

2014: It's Only a Play

In autumn 2014, Nathan Lane appeared in an all-star ensemble of Terrence McNally's revised and updated It's Only a Play.

February 2015: The Iceman Cometh at the Brooklyn Academy of Music

In February 2015, Nathan Lane reprised the role of Hickey in Robert Falls' production of The Iceman Cometh at the Brooklyn Academy of Music to great acclaim.

February 2016: The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story

In February 2016, Nathan Lane played F. Lee Bailey in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

Loading Video...

March 2016: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit off Broadway

In March 2016, Nathan Lane opened the play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit off Broadway.

2018: Guest starred on The Blacklist

In 2018, Nathan Lane guest starred on the TV series The Blacklist.

Loading Video...

2018: Tony Award for Angels in America

In 2018, Nathan Lane won a Tony Award for his work in Angels in America.

March 2019: Starred in Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus

In March 2019, Nathan Lane starred in Taylor Mac's absurdist black comedy Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus at the Booth Theatre, directed by George C. Wolfe.

2019: Departure from Modern Family

In 2019, Nathan Lane concluded his portrayal of Pepper Saltzman in the ABC sitcom Modern Family.

Loading Video...

April 26, 2020: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Premiere

On April 26, 2020, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, starring Nathan Lane as Lewis Michener, premiered on Showtime.

Loading Video...

2023: Co-starred in Beau Is Afraid

In 2023, Nathan Lane co-starred in Ari Aster's film, Beau Is Afraid, alongside Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Ryan, and Patti LuPone.

Loading Video...

2023: Co-starred in Dicks: The Musical

In 2023, Nathan Lane co-starred in the film Dicks: The Musical, directed by Larry Charles and based on the Upright Citizens Brigade musical stage show Fucking Identical Twins.

Loading Video...

2023: 25th Broadway Show in Pictures from Home

In 2023, Nathan Lane returned to the Broadway stage for his 25th show, Pictures from Home, a play adapted from the photo memoir by Larry Sultan.

2024: Stephen Sondheim Award

In 2024, Nathan Lane received the Stephen Sondheim Award from the Signature Theatre Company.

2024: The Gilded Age nomination

In 2024, The Gilded Age, where Nathan Lane plays Ward McAllister, received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Loading Video...