History of Nathan Lane in Timeline
Nathan Lane is a highly acclaimed American actor recognized for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles across stage and screen since 1975. He has garnered numerous accolades, including three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, three Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. His contributions to the entertainment industry have been celebrated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2010, The New York Times lauded him as 'the greatest stage entertainer of the decade'.
1939: Original Comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner
In 1939, the original comedy The Man Who Came to Dinner premiered. Nathan Lane would later star in a revival in 2000.
February 3, 1956: Nathan Lane Born
On February 3, 1956, Joseph Lane (later known as Nathan Lane) was born in Jersey City, New Jersey.
1967: Father's Death
In 1967, Nathan Lane's father, Daniel Joseph Lane, died from alcoholism when Nathan was eleven years old.
1974: Best Actor in High School
In 1974, Nathan Lane was voted Best Actor at St. Peter's Preparatory School.
1975: Career Began
In 1975, Nathan Lane started his stage and screen career, undertaking both comedic and dramatic roles.
1978: Professional Theatre Debut
In 1978, Nathan Lane made his professional theatre debut in an off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
1982: Broadway Debut
In 1982, Nathan Lane made his Broadway debut in a revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter.
1982: Broadway Revival of Present Laughter
In 1982, Nathan Lane was cast in the Broadway revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter, directed by and starring George C. Scott.
1983: Second Broadway Appearance in Merlin
In 1983, Nathan Lane made his second Broadway appearance in the musical Merlin, starring Chita Rivera and magician Doug Henning.
1984: Original version of Mizlansky/Zilinsky or 'Schmucks'
In 1984, the original version of Jon Robin Baitz's Mizlansky/Zilinsky or 'Schmucks' was written.
1987: Met Terrence McNally
In 1987, Nathan Lane met his close friend the playwright Terrence McNally.
1989: Collaboration with Terrence McNally Began
In 1989, Nathan Lane began a long friendship and collaboration with playwright Terrence McNally with the Manhattan Theater Club production of The Lisbon Traviata.
1989: Workshop Reading of Assassins
In 1989, Nathan Lane's association with Stephen Sondheim began with a workshop reading of Assassins, where he played Samuel Byck.
1991: Appeared in On Borrowed Time
In 1991, Nathan Lane appeared with George C. Scott again in a revival of Paul Osborne's On Borrowed Time on Broadway.
1992: Tony Nomination for Guys and Dolls
In 1992, Nathan Lane received a Tony nomination for his role in Guys and Dolls.
1992: Starred in Guys and Dolls Revival
In 1992, Nathan Lane starred in the hit revival of Guys and Dolls, playing Nathan Detroit, the character who lent him his name.
1993: Starred in Laughter on the 23rd Floor
In 1993, Nathan Lane portrayed Sid Caesar-like Max Prince in Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23rd Floor.
1994: The Lion King Film
In 1994, Nathan Lane acted in the film The Lion King.
1994: Voiced Timon in The Lion King
In 1994, Nathan Lane voiced Timon, the meerkat, in Disney's animated film The Lion King.
1995: Emmy Nominations
In 1995, Nathan Lane received Emmy Award nominations for his guest appearances on Frasier and Mad About You.
1995: Voiced Timon and Played Cowardly Lion
In 1995, Nathan Lane was the voice of the meerkat in early episodes of Timon & Pumbaa and played the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz in Concert.
1996: The Birdcage Film
In 1996, Nathan Lane acted in the film The Birdcage.
1996: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
In 1996, Nathan Lane starred in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
1996: Starred in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Revival
In 1996, Nathan Lane starred in the hit revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, winning a Tony Award.
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.
1997: Appeared in Mouse Hunt
In 1997, Nathan Lane appeared in the dark comedy Mouse Hunt.
1997: Hosted Saturday Night Live
In 1997, Nathan Lane hosted Saturday Night Live.
1998: Starred in Encore! Encore!
From 1998 to 1999, Nathan Lane starred in the NBC sitcom Encore! Encore!
1998: Appeared in Mizlansky/Zilinsky or 'Schmucks'
In 1998, Nathan Lane appeared Off-Broadway in Jon Robin Baitz's revised comedy, Mizlansky/Zilinsky or 'Schmucks'.
1999: Appeared in Do Re Mi and Stuart Little
In 1999, Nathan Lane appeared in the Encores! concert revival of Do Re Mi and voiced Snowbell in the film Stuart Little.
1999: Workshop of Wise Guys
In 1999, Nathan Lane appeared with Victor Garber in the workshop of the Sondheim musical Wise Guys (later retitled Road Show).
1999: Publicly came out as gay
In 1999, Nathan Lane came out publicly after the killing of Matthew Shepard.
1999: People's Choice Award
In 1999, Nathan Lane won the People's Choice Award for Favorite New Actor in a Comedy for his work in Encore! Encore!.
2000: Starred in The Man Who Came To Dinner
In 2000, Nathan Lane starred in The Man Who Came To Dinner on Broadway.
2000: Starred in The Man Who Came to Dinner and Other Films
In 2000, Nathan Lane starred in The Man Who Came to Dinner and appeared in films such as Love's Labour's Lost, Isn't She Great, Trixie, and Titan A.E..
2000: Mother's Death
In 2000, Nathan Lane's mother, Nora Veronica, died; she suffered from bipolar disorder.
2001: Starred in The Producers
In 2001, Nathan Lane starred as Max Bialystock in the musical version of Mel Brooks' The Producers, winning his second Tony Award.
2002: Nicholas Nickleby Film
In 2002, Nathan Lane acted in the film Nicholas Nickleby.
2002: Reprised Role in Stuart Little 2 and Nicholas Nickleby
In 2002, Nathan Lane reprised his role as Snowbell in Stuart Little 2 and appeared in a film adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby.
2003: Played Butley at The Huntington Theater Company
In 2003, Nathan Lane played the role in Butley at The Huntington Theater Company in Boston.
2003: Starred in Trumbo: Red, White, and Blacklisted
In 2003, Nathan Lane starred Off-Broadway in Trumbo: Red, White, and Blacklisted.
2004: Starred in The Frogs Revival and The Producers in West End
In 2004, Nathan Lane revised the libretto and portrayed Dionysus in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical The Frogs and replaced Richard Dreyfuss in The Producers in the West End, winning an Olivier Award.
2004: Starred in The Frogs
In 2004, Nathan Lane revised the original book for and starred in the Broadway debut of Stephen Sondheim's The Frogs.
2005: The Producers Film
In 2005, Nathan Lane acted in the film The Producers.
2005: Opened in Dedication or the Stuff of Dreams
In 2005, Nathan Lane played roles in Dedication or the Stuff of Dreams.
2005: Rejoined Matthew Broderick for The Odd Couple
In 2005, Nathan Lane rejoined Matthew Broderick for a successful limited run of The Odd Couple.
2005: Starred in The Odd Couple
In 2005, Nathan Lane starred in The Odd Couple on Broadway.
2005: Honorary Jew
In a 2005 interview with The Jerusalem Post, Nathan Lane said "I'm really an honorary Jew, you know, all the best people are. I really do feel Jewish, even though I'm a Catholic. The way the Church has been behaving, I'm happy to be Jewish."
January 9, 2006: Star on 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.
2006: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2006, Nathan Lane received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2006: Starred in Butley
In 2006, Nathan Lane starred in Butley on Broadway.
2008: Starred in November
In 2008, Nathan Lane played the President of the United States in David Mamet's political satire, November.
2008: Inducted into American Theater Hall of Fame
In 2008, Nathan Lane was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
January 16, 2009: Wax Figures at Madame Tussauds
On January 16, 2009, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick were immortalized in wax as 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.
2009: Starred in Waiting for Godot
In 2009, Nathan Lane starred in Waiting for Godot on Broadway.
2010: 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.
2010: Starred in The Addams Family
In 2010, Nathan Lane starred in The Addams Family on Broadway.
2010: Greatest Stage Entertainer of the Decade
In 2010, The New York Times hailed Nathan Lane as being "the greatest stage entertainer of the decade".
2011: Prep Hall of Fame Professional Achievement Award
In 2011, Nathan Lane received the Prep Hall of Fame Professional Achievement Award from St. Peter's Preparatory School.
2012: 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.
2012: Starred in The Iceman Cometh
In 2012, Nathan Lane starred as Hickey in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's play 'The Iceman Cometh' at Chicago's Goodman Theatre, receiving rave reviews and winning six Jeff Awards.
2013: Tony Nomination for The Nance
In 2013, Nathan Lane received a Tony nomination for his role in The Nance.
2014: The Nance Aired on PBS Live
In 2014, 'The Nance', a play starring Nathan Lane, aired on PBS Live from Lincoln Center.
2014: Starred in It's Only a Play
In 2014, Nathan Lane starred in It's Only a Play on Broadway.
February 2015: The Iceman Cometh Reprisal
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.
November 17, 2015: Married Devlin Elliott
On November 17, 2015, Nathan Lane married his partner of 18 years, theater producer and writer Devlin Elliott.
February 2016: The People v. O. J. Simpson
In February 2016, Nathan Lane played F. Lee Bailey in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
March 2016: White Rabbit, Red Rabbit
In March 2016, Nathan Lane opened the play White Rabbit, Red Rabbit Off-Broadway.
2016: The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story
In 2016, Nathan Lane portrayed F. Lee Bailey in the FX miniseries The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
2016: Tony Nomination for The Front Page
In 2016, Nathan Lane received a Tony nomination for his role in The Front Page.
2016: The People v. O.J. Simpson
In 2016, Nathan Lane received critical praise for his role as F. Lee Bailey in the limited series The People v. O.J. Simpson.
2018: Guest Starring Roles
In 2018, Nathan Lane guest starred on series such as The Blacklist.
2018: Angels in America
In 2018, Nathan Lane starred in Angels in America.
2018: Tony Award for Angels in America
In 2018, Nathan Lane won a Tony Award for his work in Angels in America.
2018: Criticism of Donald Trump
In a 2018 interview about playing Roy Cohn in the Broadway revival of Angels in America, Nathan Lane portrayed Donald Trump as a liar, criticizing his tactics.
March 2019: 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: Starred in Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus
In 2019, Nathan Lane starred in Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus on Broadway.
2019: Modern Family
Nathan Lane continued to portray Pepper Saltzman in the ABC sitcom Modern Family until 2019, and received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series during that time.
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 on this day.
2020: Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
In 2020, Nathan Lane received critical praise for his role as Det. Lewis Michener in the Showtime series Penny Dreadful: City of Angels.
2022: Emmy Award for Only Murders in the Building
In 2022, Nathan Lane received the Primetime Emmy Award for his role in the Hulu mystery comedy series Only Murders in the Building.
2023: Beau Is Afraid Film
In 2023, Nathan Lane acted in the film Beau Is Afraid.
2023: Dicks: The Musical
In 2023, Nathan Lane co-starred in another A24 film, Dicks: The Musical.
2023: Pictures from Home on Broadway
In 2023, Nathan Lane returned to the Broadway stage in Pictures from Home, marking his 25th Broadway show.
2023: Starred in Pictures from Home
In 2023, Nathan Lane starred in Pictures from Home on Broadway.
2024: Awards
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: Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
In 2024, Nathan Lane starred as Dominick Dunne in the Netflix anthology series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
2024: The Gilded Age Nominations
In 2024, Nathan Lane's HBO period series, The Gilded Age, received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series and an Emmy nomination for Best Drama.
