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Special Tony Award

Theater award


Theater award

FieldValue
nameSpecial Tony Award
awarded_forSpecial Tony Award
presenterAmerican Theatre Wing The Broadway League
locationUnited States New York City
websiteTonyAwards.com

The Special Tony Award category includes the Lifetime Achievement Tony Award and the Special Tony Award. These are non-competitive honorary awards, and the titles have changed over the years. The Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre is to "honor an individual for the body of their work." (The Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event was a competitive award, given from 2001 to 2009.) Another non-competitive Tony award is the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, to "recognize the achievements of individuals and organizations that do not fit into any of the competitive categories."

Award winners

1940s

YearRecipientReason
1947
1st Tony AwardsDora ChamberlainUnfailing courtesy as treasurer of the Martin Beck Theatre
Ira and Rita KatzenbergEnthusiasm as inveterate first-nighters
Jules LeventhalBeing the season's most prolific backer and producer
Burns MantleThe annual publication of The Ten Best Plays
P. A. MacDonaldIntricate construction for the production of If the Shoe Fits
Vincent Sardi Sr.Providing a transient home and comfort station for theatre folk at Sardi's for 20 years
1948
2nd Tony AwardsRosalind GilderContribution to theatre through a publication for Theatre Arts
Vera AllenDistinguished wing volunteer worker through the war and after
Paul BeismanProgressive Theatre Operators to Operator of the American Theatre, St. Louis
Joe E. BrownSpreading theatre to the country in Harvey, while the originals perform in New York
Cast of The Importance of Being EarnestOutstanding Foreign Company
Robert W. DowlingProgressive theatre operators to President of City Investing Company, St. Louis
Experimental Theatre Inc.Experiment in theatre
June LockhartOutstanding Performance by a Newcomer for For Love or Money
Mary MartinSpreading theatre to the country in Annie Get Your Gun, while the originals perform in New York
George PierceTwenty-five years of courteous and efficient service as a backstage doorman at the Empire Theatre
James WhitmoreOutstanding Performance by a Newcomer for Command Decision
1949
3rd Tony Awardscolspan="2"

1950s

YearRecipientReason
1950
4th Tony AwardsMaurice EvansSpecial recognition for guiding the City Center Theatre Company through a highly successful season
Philip FavershamRepresenting those workers from the American Theatre Wing's hospital program who had performed hospital volunteer work outside of New York
Brock Pemberton (posthumous)Founder of awards and its original chairman
1951
5th Tony AwardsRuth GreenHer services as a volunteer in arranging reservation and seating for the five Tony Awards
1952
6th Tony AwardsCharles BoyerHis performance in Don Juan in Hell, thereby assisting in a new theatre trend
Judy GarlandAn important contribution to the revival of vaudeville through her recent stint at the Palace Theatre
Edward KookHis contributing to and encouraging the development of stage lighting and electronics
1953
7th Tony AwardsDanny KayeHeading a variety bill at the Palace Theatre. Equity Community Theatre
Beatrice LillieHer performance in An Evening with Beatrice Lillie
1954
8th Tony Awardscolspan="2"
1955
9th Tony AwardsProscenium ProductionsPresented to Warren Enters, Robert Merriman and Sybil Trubin for high quality and viewpoints shown in The Way of the World and Thieves Carnival
1956
10th Tony AwardsFourth Street Chekov Theatre
City Center
The New York Public Library Theatre CollectionPresented to founder George Freedley for its distinguished service to the theatre
The Shakespearewrights
The Threepenny OperaPresented to producer Carmen Capalbo for her distinguished Off-Broadway production
1957
11th Tony AwardsAmerican Shakespeare Festival
Jean-Louis Barrault
Robert Russell Bennett
William Hammerstein
Joseph HarbuckHis performance in Auntie Mame
Paul Shyre
1958
12th Tony AwardsLouise Heims BeckFifteen years of untiring dedication to the American Theatre Wing, which she served as treasurer, secretary and chairman of the board of directors
New York Shakespeare FestivalPresenting free performances in Central Park and the Hecksher Theater
1959
13th Tony AwardsRussel Crouse and Howard LindsayA collaboration that lasted longer than Gilbert and Sullivan
John GielgudContribution to theatre for his extraordinary insight into the writings of Shakespeare as demonstrated in his one-man play, Ages of Man
Cast of La Plume de Ma TanteContribution to the theatre

1960s

YearRecipientReason
1960
14th Tony AwardsBurgess Meredith and James ThurberTheir production of A Thurber Carnival
John D. Rockefeller IIIVision and leadership in creating the Lincoln Center, a landmark of theatre encompassing the performing arts
1961
15th Tony AwardsDavid MerrickIn recognition of a fabulous production record over the last seven years
The Theatre GuildOrganizing the first repertory to go abroad for the State Department; presented to Warren Caro
1962
16th Tony AwardsBrooks AtkinsonHis influential theatre critique in The New York Times
Richard RodgersAll he has done for young people in the theatre and for taking the men of the orchestra out of the pit and putting them on stage in No Strings
Franco ZeffirelliHis designs and direction of the Old Vic's Romeo and Juliet
1963
17th Tony AwardsAlan Bennett, Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller and Dudley MooreTheir brilliance in Beyond the Fringe, which has shattered all the old concepts of comedy
Irving BerlinHis distinguished contribution to the musical theatre for these many years
W. McNeil LowryOn behalf of the Ford Foundation for his and their distinguished support of the American Theatre
1964
18th Tony AwardsEva Le GallienneCelebrating her 50th year as an actress, honored for her work with the National Repertory Theatre
1965
19th Tony AwardsGilbert MillerProducing 88 plays and musicals and for his perseverance which has helped to keep New York and theatre alive
Oliver Smith
1966
20th Tony AwardsHelen MenkenA lifetime of devotion and dedicated service to the Broadway theatre
1967
21st Tony Awardscolspan="2"
1968
22nd Tony AwardsAPA-Phoenix Theatre
Pearl Bailey
Carol Channing
Maurice Chevalier
Marlene Dietrich
Audrey Hepburn
David Merrick
1969
23rd Tony AwardsLeonard Bernstein
Carol Burnett
Rex Harrison
The National Theatre of England
The Negro Ensemble Company

1970s

YearRecipientReason
1970
24th Tony AwardsNoël CowardMultiple and immortal contributions to the theatre
Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt
New York Shakespeare FestivalPioneering efforts on behalf of new plays
Barbra StreisandStar of the Decade
1971
25th Tony AwardsIngram AshDecades of devoted service to the theatre
Elliot NortonDistinguished theatrical commentary
PlaybillChronicling Broadway through the years
Roger L. Stevens
1972
26th Tony AwardsFiddler on the RoofPresented to Harold Prince for becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history
Ethel Merman
Richard Rodgers
The Theatre Guild-American Theatre SocietyIts many years of service to audiences for touring shows; presented to Warren Caro
1973
27th Tony AwardsJohn Lindsay (Mayor of New York City)
Shubert Organization
The Actor's Fund of America
1974
28th Tony AwardsActors' Equity Association
A Moon for the MisbegottenAn outstanding dramatic revival of an American classic
CandideAn outstanding contribution to the artistic development of the musical theatre
Peter Cook and Dudley MooreCo-stars and authors of Good Evening
Harold FriedlanderTheatre Award '74
Bette MidlerAdding lustre to the Broadway season
Liza MinnelliAdding lustre to the Broadway season
The Theatre Development Fund
John F. WhartonTheatre Award '74
1975
29th Tony AwardsAl HirschfeldFifty years of theatrical cartoons
1976
30th Tony AwardsGeorge AbbottLawrence Langner Award
Richard Burton
Circle in the SquareTwenty-five continuous years of quality productions
Thomas H. Fitzgerald (Posthumous)Gifted lighting in countless Broadway shows and many Tony telecasts
Mathilde PincusOutstanding service to the Broadway musical theatre
1977
31st Tony AwardsCheryl CrawfordLawrence Langner Award
Equity Liberty Theatre
Barry Manilow
National Theatre of the Deaf
Diana Ross
Lily Tomlin
1978
32nd Tony AwardsIrving BerlinLawrence Langner Award
Stan Dragoti and Charles MossTo the creators of the I Love New York Broadway show tours and its sponsor, the New York State Department of Commerce
1979
33rd Tony AwardsWalter F. DiehlBeing an active force in advancing the well-being of the Broadway theatre and of theatre nationally
Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center
Henry Fonda
Richard RodgersLawrence Langner Award

1980s

YearRecipientReason
1980
34th Tony AwardsRichard FitzgeraldInstalling the infrared system in Broadway theatres, thus bringing the compassion and dedication of making theatergoing for those with impaired hearing, rewarding and enjoyable
Goodspeed Musicals
Helen HayesLawrence Langner Award
Mary Tyler MooreHer performance in Whose Life Is It Anyway?
Hobe MorrisonTheatre Award '80
1981
35th Tony AwardsLena HorneHer performance in Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music
1982
36th Tony AwardsRadio City Music HallTheatre Award '82
The Actors' Fund of America
Warner CommunicationsTheatre Award '82
1983
37th Tony Awardscolspan="2"
1984
38th Tony AwardsA Chorus LineIn honor of becoming Broadway's longest-running musical
Peter FellerA master craftsman who has devoted forty years to theatre stagecraft and magic
Al HirschfeldBrooks Atkinson Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
La Tragedie de CarmenOutstanding achievement in musical theatre
1985
39th Tony AwardsYul BrynnerHonoring his 4,525 performances in The King and I
New York State Council on the Arts
1986
40th Tony Awardscolspan="2"
1987
41st Tony AwardsGeorge AbbottOn the occasion of his 100th birthday
Jackie MasonHis performance in The World According to Me
Robert PrestonLawrence Langner Award (posthumously)
1988
42nd Tony AwardsBrooklyn Academy of Music
1989
43rd Tony Awardscolspan="2"

1990s

YearRecipientReason
1990 – 1992colspan="2"
1993
47th Tony AwardsOklahoma!50th anniversary
1994
48th Tony AwardsHume Cronyn and Jessica TandyLifetime Achievement
1995
49th Tony AwardsCarol ChanningLifetime Achievement
National Endowment for the ArtsTony Honor
Harvey SabinsonLifetime Achievement after 50 years in the theater
1996
50th Tony Awardscolspan="2"
1997
51st Tony AwardsBernard B. JacobsLifetime Achievement
1998
52nd Tony AwardsEdward E. ColtonLifetime Achievement
Ben Edwards
1999
53rd Tony AwardsUta HagenLifetime Achievement
Arthur Miller
Isabelle Stevenson

2000s

YearRecipientReason
2000
54th Tony AwardsDame Edna: The Royal TourLive Theatrical Presentation
T. Edward HambletonLifetime Achievement
2001
55th Tony AwardsPaul GemignaniLifetime Achievement
2002
56th Tony AwardsJulie HarrisLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Robert Whitehead (theatre producer)
2003
57th Tony AwardsCy FeuerLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Russell Simmons' Def Poetry Jam on BroadwaySpecial Theatrical Event (Competitive)
2004
58th Tony AwardsJames M. NederlanderLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
2005
59th Tony AwardsEdward AlbeeLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
2006
60th Tony AwardsSarah JonesHer performance in Bridge and Tunnel
Harold PrinceLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
2007
61st Tony Awardscolspan="2"
2008
62nd Tony AwardsRobert Russell BennettIn recognition of his contribution to the field of orchestrations
Stephen SondheimLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
2009
63rd Tony AwardsJerry HermanLifetime Achievement in the Theatre

2010s

YearRecipientReason
2010
64th Tony AwardsAlan AyckbournLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Marian Seldes
2011
65th Tony AwardsAthol FugardLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Philip J. Smith
2012
66th Tony AwardsActors' Equity Association
Hugh Jackman
2013
67th Tony AwardsBernard "Bernie" Gersten
Ming Cho Lee
Paul Libin
2014
68th Tony AwardsJane GreenwoodLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
2015
69th Tony AwardsJohn Cameron Mitchell
Tommy TuneLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
2016
70th Tony AwardsSheldon HarnickLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Marshall W. Mason
National Endowment for the Arts
Miles Wilkin
2017
71st Tony AwardsJames Earl JonesLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
2018
72nd Tony AwardsAndrew Lloyd WebberLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Chita Rivera
John Leguizamo
Bruce Springsteen
2019
73rd Tony AwardsRosemary HarrisLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Terrence McNally
Harold Wheeler
New York City Fire Department Engine 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9
Marin Mazzie (posthumous)
Jason Michael Webb
Sonny Tilders and Creature Technology CompanyFor the puppetry of the title character in King Kong

2020s

YearRecipientReason
2020
74th Tony AwardsGraciela DanieleLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
The Broadway Advocacy Coalition
David Byrne's American Utopia
Freestyle Love Supreme
2021
No ceremonycolspan="2"
2022
75th Tony AwardsAngela LansburyLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
James C. Nicola
2023
76th Tony AwardsJoel GreyLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
John Kander
2024
77th Tony AwardsJack O'BrienLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
George C. Wolfe
Alex Edelman"Exemplary debut" for Just for Us
Abe JacobModern theatrical sound design
Nikiya MathisHair and wig design for Jaja's African Hair Braiding
2025
78th Tony AwardsHarvey FiersteinLifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Marco Paguia (music director, conductor/piano); David Oquendo (associate music director, guitar); Renesito Avich (tres); Gustavo Schartz (bass); Javier Días, Román Diaz, Mauricio Herrera (percussion); Jesus Ricardo (trumpet); Eddie Venegas (trombone); Hery Paz (woodwinds); and Leonardo Reyna (piano)The musicians who make up the band of Buena Vista Social Club
Jamie Harrison, Chris Fisher, Gary Beestone, and Edward PierceThe illusions and technical effects of Stranger Things: The First Shadow

References

References

  1. [http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/about/rules.html "The Award Categories"] tonyawards.com, accessed April 7, 2011
  2. (January 2, 1995). "Warren Caro, 87, Theater Executive". [[The New York Times]].
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