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 renowned for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles on stage and screen. He has garnered significant recognition, including three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, three Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Lane's contributions to the entertainment industry are further celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2006) and induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame (2008). The New York Times lauded him as "the greatest stage entertainer of the decade" in 2010, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in theater.

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'.

2001: Tony Award for The Producers

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

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, recognizing their contributions to the entertainment industry.

January 16, 2009: Wax figures at Madame Tussauds

On January 16, 2009, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick were immortalized in wax as their characters Max and Leo at Madame Tussauds Museum in New York City.

2009: Starred in The Addams Family

In 2009, Nathan Lane starred as Gomez in the musical version of 'The Addams Family' in Chicago, which led to Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations.

2010: Pepper Saltzman in Modern Family

From 2010, Nathan Lane portrayed Pepper Saltzman in the ABC sitcom 'Modern Family', receiving three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role.

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2012: Clarke Hayden in The Good Wife

From 2012, Nathan Lane played Clarke Hayden in the legal series 'The Good Wife', receiving a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the role.

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2012: Starred in The Iceman Cometh

In 2012, Nathan Lane starred in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's play 'The Iceman Cometh' at Chicago's Goodman Theatre as Hickey, receiving rave reviews and winning six Jeff Awards.

2013: Return to Broadway in The Nance

In the spring of 2013, Nathan Lane returned to Broadway in 'The Nance', a Lincoln Center production directed by Jack O'Brien, receiving Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations and winning the Outer Critics Circle Award and the 2013 Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance.

2014: The Nance aired on PBS

In 2014, The Nance, a play starring Nathan Lane, aired on PBS Live from Lincoln Center.

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', which became one of the biggest hits of the season.

February 2015: The Iceman Cometh at BAM

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

February 2016: American Crime Story Premiere

In February 2016, 'The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story' premiered on the FX channel, with Nathan Lane playing F. Lee Bailey. The series later won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series.

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March 2016: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit

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 series 'The Blacklist'.

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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, which received seven Tony Award nominations.

2019: Last Appearance on Modern Family

In 2019, Nathan Lane made his last appearance as Pepper Saltzman in the ABC sitcom 'Modern Family'.

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

On April 26, 2020, Nathan Lane played the role of Lewis Michener on Showtime's 'Penny Dreadful: City of Angels', which premiered and ran for one season.

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2023: Dicks: The Musical Premiere

In 2023, Nathan Lane co-starred in 'Dicks: The Musical', which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews and won the Midnight Madness People's Choice Award, with Lane receiving praise for his comedic performance.

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2023: Beau Is Afraid Release

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

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2023: Pictures from Home Broadway Return

In 2023, Nathan Lane returned to the Broadway stage in 'Pictures from Home', marking his 25th Broadway show, and receiving praise for his performance as the father.

2024: Stephen Sondheim Award

In 2024, Nathan Lane received the Stephen Sondheim Award from the Signature Theatre Company and the Harold S. Prince Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Drama Desk Awards.

2024: The Gilded Age Emmy Nomination

In 2024, The HBO period series, 'The Gilded Age', in which Nathan Lane plays the recurring role of Ward McAllister, received an Emmy nomination for Best Drama.

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