Tony Awards 2026: Death of a Salesman Dominates with Six Wins, John Lithgow Makes History as Oldest Acting Winner

New York, NY – A stripped-back take on Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman dominated this year's Tony Awards, winning six trophies including best revival of a play, while Lesley Manville and John Lithgow took home lead acting honors in a night that celebrated Broadway's record-breaking $1.91 billion season.

Death of a Salesman was named best revival of a play, with award-winning director Joe Mantello praising Miller's story as one that "still talks to us through time." Star Nathan Lane accepted the award on behalf of the cast, calling it a play that "continues to teach us who we are as humans and Americans."

Lane's co-star Laurie Metcalf also won her third Tony award, beating out June Squibb and Aya Cash to be named best featured actress in a play. The six wins make Death of a Salesman the most awarded play revival in Tony Awards history.

John Lithgow Makes History at 80

John Lithgow was named best leading actor in a play for his role as Roald Dahl in the antisemitism drama Giant, after also winning an Olivier award during the show's West End run. The actor beat out Nathan Lane, Mark Strong and Daniel Radcliffe.

"It's an extraordinarily important play of this moment," he said on stage, winning his third Tony. At 80, Lithgow has made history as the oldest man to ever win a competitive acting Tony award.

Manville saw off competition from Rose Byrne and Carrie Coon to take home the leading actress in a play award for the Broadway transfer of Oedipus. The actor previously won an Olivier for her performance. "I'm a bit overwhelmed, it was my first time on Broadway so this is such a big deal," Manville said on stage.

Best Musical and Other Major Winners

The award for best musical went to the stage version of cancelled Apple TV series Schmigadoon! "Sometimes singing, dancing, a lot of jokes and a happy ending is really all you need," producer Lorne Michaels said in his speech. The show also picked up three other awards including Best Original Score.

A new take on Ragtime won four Tonys, including best revival of a musical and best leading actor and leading actress in a musical for Joshua Henry and Caissie Levy, respectively. It marked Henry's first win after four nominations. "Every artist in this room, every artist at home, fight, fight, fight to be heard," Henry said in his speech.

The Lost Boys, an adaptation of the hit 1980s vampire movie, also won four trophies including featured actor and featured actress in a musical. Cats: The Jellicle Ball, the queer ballroom reinvention of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical, picked up three awards including best direction of a musical.

Bess Wohl's Liberation Wins Best Play

Bess Wohl's intergenerational feminism epic Liberation was named best play after recently winning the Pulitzer Prize for drama. "This is the honor of a lifetime," Wohl said. It's the first time a female playwright has won the award since 2009; Wohl is only the fourth woman to have won.

Alden Ehrenreich was named best featured actor in a play for his Broadway debut in a revival of the 2008 dating comedy drama Becky Shaw, beating Christopher Abbott and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Pink Hosts Star-Studded Ceremony

The ceremony was hosted by pop superstar Pink, who poked fun at her acrobatic reputation by kicking off the evening as Peter Pan flying into the theatre, before leading a star-packed version of her Moulin Rouge hit "Lady Marmalade" with guests including Lea Michele and Megan Thee Stallion.

The star called herself "Broadway's biggest fan" who wanted to pay tribute to "the hardest-working people in showbiz." The awards come after the most recent Broadway season broke a new record with nearly $1.91 billion in ticket sales.

Nominated shows that left empty-handed included The Rocky Horror Show, Chess, The Balusters, Titaníque, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) and Every Brilliant Thing.