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Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play

American theatre award for Broadway actresses


American theatre award for Broadway actresses

FieldValue
nameTony Award for
Best Featured Actress in a Play
descriptionBest Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
presenterAmerican Theatre Wing, The Broadway League
locationUnited States New York City
holderKara Young for Purpose (2025)
imageKara Young 77th Tony Awards 2024.jpg
caption2025 recipient: Kara Young
websiteTonyAwards.com

Best Featured Actress in a Play The Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play is an honor presented at the Tony Awards, a ceremony established in 1947 as the Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, to actresses for quality supporting roles in a Broadway play. The awards are named after Antoinette Perry, an American actress who died in 1946. Honors in several categories are presented at the ceremony annually by the Tony Award Productions, a joint venture of The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, to "honor the best performances and stage productions of the previous year."

The award was originally called the Tony Award for Actress, Supporting or Featured (Dramatic). Patricia Neal won the first such award for her portrayal of Regina Hubbard in Lillian Hellman's Another Part of the Forest. Before 1956, nominees' names were not made public: the change was made by the awards committee to "have a greater impact on theatregoers". The award was renamed in 1976, when Shirley Knight became the first winner under the new title for her role as Carla in Robert Patrick's Kennedy's Children. Its most recent recipient is Kara Young for the role of Aziza Houston, in Purpose.

Seven actresses (Christine Baranski, Judith Ivey, Judith Light, Swoosie Kurtz, Audra McDonald, Frances Sternhagen, and Kara Young) hold the record for most awards in this category, each with two total. Portrayals of Ruth Younger in A Raisin in the Sun and Mavis Parodus Bryson in The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window have won twice.

Winners and nominees

1940s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.Not awarded
1947
(1st)
Patricia Neal*Another Part of the Forest*Regina Hubbard
1948
(2nd)
1949
(3rd)
Shirley Booth*Goodbye, My Fancy*Grace Woods

1950s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.Not awarded
1950
(4th)
1951
(5th)
Maureen Stapleton*The Rose Tattoo*Serafina Delle Rose
1952
(6th)
Marian Winters*I Am a Camera*Natalia Landauer
1953
(7th)
Beatrice Straight*The Crucible*Elizabeth Proctor
1954
(8th)
Jo Van Fleet*The Trip to Bountiful*Jessie Mae Watts
1955
(9th)
Patricia Jessel*Witness for the Prosecution*Romaine
1956
(10th)
Una Merkel*The Ponder Heart*Edna Earle Ponder
Diane CilentoTiger at the GatesHelen of Troy
Anne JacksonMiddle of the NightThe Daughter
Elaine StritchBus StopGrace Hoylard
1957
(11th)
Peggy Cass*Auntie Mame*Agnes Gooch
Anna MasseyThe Reluctant DebutanteJane Broadbent
Beryl MeasorSeparate TablesPat Cooper
Mildred NatwickThe Waltz of the ToreadorsMme. St. Pé
Phyllis Neilson-TerrySeparate TablesMrs. Railton-Bell
Diana Van der VlisThe Happiest MillionaireCordelia Biddle
1958
(12th)
Anne Bancroft*Two for the Seesaw*Gittel Mosca
Brenda De BanzieThe EntertainerPhoebe Rice
Joan BlondellThe Rope DancersMrs. Farrow
Mary FickettSunrise at CampobelloEleanor Roosevelt
Eileen HeckartThe Dark at the Top of the StairsLottie Lacey
1959
(13th)
Julie Newmar*The Marriage-Go-Round*Katrin Sveg
Maureen DelanyGod and Kate MurphyCarrie Donovan
Dolores HartThe Pleasure of His CompanyJessica Poole
Nan MartinJ.B.Sarah
Bertice ReadingRequiem for a NunNancy Mannigoe

1960s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.
1960
(14th)
Anne Revere*Toys in the Attic*Anna Berniers
Leora DanaThe Best ManAlice Russell
Jane FondaThere Was a Little GirlToni Newton
Sarah MarshallGoodbye CharlieRusty Mayerling
Juliet MillsFive Finger ExercisePamela Harrington
1961
(15th)
Colleen Dewhurst*All the Way Home*Mary Follet
Eileen HeckartInvitation to a MarchDeeDee Grogan
Tresa HughesThe Devil's AdvocateNina Sanduzzi
Rosemary MurphyPeriod of AdjustmentDorothea Bates
1962
(16th)
Elizabeth Ashley*Take Her, She's Mine*Mollie Michaelson
Zohra LampertLook: We've Come ThroughJennifer Lewison
Janet MargolinDaughter of SilenceAnna Albertini
Pat StanleySunday in New YorkEileen Taylor
1963
(17th)
Sandy Dennis*A Thousand Clowns*Sandra Markowitz
Melinda DillonWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Honey
Alice GhostleyThe Beauty PartVarious Characters
Zohra LampertMother Courage and Her ChildrenKattrin
1964
(18th)
Barbara Loden*After the Fall*Maggie
Rosemary MurphyAny WednesdayDorothea Cleves
Kate ReidDylanCaitlin Thomas
Diana SandsBlues for Mister CharlieJuanita
1965
(19th)
Alice Ghostley*The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window*Mavis Parodus Bryson
Rae AllenTraveller Without LuggageJuliette
Alexandra BerlinAll in Good TimeViolet Fitton
Carolan DanielsSlow Dance on the Killing GroundRosie
1966
(20th)
Zoe Caldwell*Slapstick Tragedy*Polly
Glenda JacksonMarat/SadeCharlotte Corday
Mairin D. O'SullivanPhiladelphia, Here I Come!Madge Mulhern
Brenda VaccaroCactus FlowerToni Simmons
1967
(21st)
Marian Seldes*A Delicate Balance*Julia
Camila AshlandBlack ComedyMiss Furnival
Brenda ForbesThe Loves of Cass McGuireTrilbe Costello
Maria TucciThe Rose TattooRose Dell Rose
1968
(22nd)
Zena Walker*A Day in the Death of Joe Egg*Sheila
Pert KeltonSpoffordMrs. Punck
Ruth WhiteThe Birthday PartyMeg
Eleanor D. "Siddy" WilsonWeekendMrs. Andrews
1969
(23rd)
Jane Alexander*The Great White Hope*Eleanor Bachman
Diane KeatonPlay It Again, SamLinda Christie
Lauren JonesDoes a Tiger Wear a Necktie?Linda
Anna ManahanLoversHanna Wilson

1970s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.
1970
(24th)
Blythe Danner*Butterflies Are Free*Jill Tanner
Alice DrummondThe Chinese and Dr. FishMrs. Lee
Eileen HeckartButterflies Are FreeMrs. Baker
Linda LavinLast of the Red Hot LoversElaine Navazio
1971
(25th)
Rae Allen*And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little*Fleur Stein
Lili DarvasLes BlancsMadame Neilsen
Joan Van ArkThe School for WivesAgnes
Mona WashbourneHomeMarian
1972
(26th)
Elizabeth Wilson*Sticks and Bones*Harriet
Cara Duff-MacCormickMoonchildrenShelly
Mercedes McCambridgeThe Love Suicide at Schofield BarracksLucy Lake
Frances SternhagenThe Sign in Sidney Brustein's WindowMavis Parodus Bryson
1973
(27th)
Leora Dana*The Last of Mrs. Lincoln*Elizabeth Edwards
Maya AngelouLook AwayElizabeth Keckley
Katherine HelmondThe Great God BrownMargaret
Penelope WindustElizabeth IElizabeth I
1974
(28th)
Frances Sternhagen*The Good Doctor*Various Characters
Regina BaffVeronica's RoomSusan
Fionnula FlanaganUlysses in NighttownVarious Characters
Charlotte MooreChemin de FerSophie
Roxie RokerThe River NigerMattie Williams
1975
(29th)
Rita Moreno*The Ritz*Googie Gomez
Linda MillerBlack Picture ShowJane
Geraldine PageAbsurd Person SingularMarion
Carole ShelleyJane
Elizabeth SpriggsLondon AssuranceLady Gay Spanker
Frances SternhagenEquusDora Strang
1976
(30th)
Shirley Knight*Kennedy's Children*Carla
Mary Beth HurtTrelawny of the 'Wells'Rose Trewlawny
Lois NettletonThey Knew What They WantedAmy
Meryl Streep27 Wagons Full of CottonFlora Meighan
1977
(31st)
Trazana Beverley*For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf*Lady in Red
Patricia ElliottThe Shadow BoxBeverly
Rose GregorioAgnes
Mary McCartyAnna ChristieMarthy Owen
1978
(32nd)
Ann Wedgeworth*Chapter Two*Faye Medwick
Starletta DuPoisThe Mighty GentsRita
Swoosie KurtzTartuffeMariane
Marian SeldesDeathtrapMyra Bruhl
1979
(33rd)
Joan Hickson*Bedroom Farce*Delia
Laurie KennedyMan and SupermanViolet Robinson
Susan LittlerBedroom FarceKate
Mary-Joan NegroWingsAmy

1980s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.
1980
(34th)
Dinah Manoff*I Ought to Be in Pictures*Libby Tucker
Maureen AndermanThe Lady from DubuqueCarol
Pamela BurrellStriderVarious Characters
Lois de BanzieMorning's at SevenMyrtle Brown
1981
(35th)
Swoosie Kurtz*Fifth of July*Gwen Landis
Maureen StapletonThe Little FoxesBirdie Hubbard
Jessica TandyRoseRose's Mother
Zoë WanamakerPiafTione
1982
(36th)
Amanda Plummer*Agnes of God*Agnes
Judith AndersonMedeaThe Nurse
Mia DillonCrimes of the HeartBabe MaGrath Botrelle
Mary Beth HurtMeg MaGrath
1983
(37th)
Judith Ivey*Steaming*Josie
Elizabeth FranzBrighton Beach MemoirsKate Jerome
Roxanne HartPassionKate
Margaret TyzackAll's Well That Ends WellCountess of Rossillion
1984
(38th)
Christine Baranski*The Real Thing*Charlotte
Jo HendersonPlay MemoryRuth MacMillan
Dana IveyHeartbreak HouseLady Utterword
Deborah RushNoises OffBrooke Ashton
1985
(39th)
Judith Ivey*Hurlyburly*Bonnie
Joanna GleasonA Day in the Death of Joe EggPam
Theresa MerrittMa Rainey's Black BottomMa Rainey
Sigourney WeaverHurlyburlyDarlene
1986
(40th)
Swoosie Kurtz*The House of Blue Leaves*Bananas Shaughnessy
Stockard ChanningThe House of Blue LeavesBunny Flingus
Bethel LeslieLong Day's Journey into NightMary Tyrone
Zoë WanamakerLootFay
1987
(41st)
Mary Alice*Fences*Rose Maxson
Annette BeningCoastal DisturbancesHolly Dancer
Phyllis NewmanBroadway BoundBlanche Morton
Carole ShelleyStepping OutMaxine
1988
(42nd)
L. Scott Caldwell*Joe Turner's Come and Gone*Bertha Holly
Kimberleigh AarnJoe Turner's Come and GoneMattie Cambell
Kate NelliganSerious MoneyVarious Characters
Kimberly ScottJoe Turner's Come and GoneMolly Cunningham
1989
(43rd)
Christine Baranski*Rumors*Chris Gorman
Joanne CampThe Heidi ChroniclesVarious Characters
Tovah FeldshuhLend Me a TenorMaria Merelli
Penelope Ann MillerOur TownEmily Webb

1990s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.
1990
(44th)
Margaret Tyzack*Lettice and Lovage*Lotte Schoen
Polly HollidayCat on a Hot Tin RoofBig Mama Pollitt
S. Epatha MerkersonThe Piano LessonBerniece
Lois SmithThe Grapes of WrathMa Joad
1991
(45th)
Irene Worth*Lost in Yonkers*Grandma Kurnitz
Amelia CampbellOur Country's GoodVarious Characters
Kathryn ErbeThe Speed of DarknessMary
J. Smith-CameronOur Country's GoodVarious Characters
1992
(46th)
Brid Brennan*Dancing at Lughnasa*Agnes
Rosaleen LinehanDancing at LughnasaKate Mundy
Cynthia MartellsTwo Trains RunningRisa
Dearbhla MolloyDancing at LughnasaMaggie Mundy
1993
(47th)
Debra Monk*Redwood Curtain*Geneva
Kathleen ChalfantAngels in America: Millennium ApproachesHannah Pitt, et al.
Marcia Gay HardenHarper Pitt, et al.
Anne MearaAnna ChristieMarthy Owen
1994
(48th)
Jane Adams*An Inspector Calls*Sheila Birling
Debra MonkPicnicRosemary Sydney
Jeanne PaulsonThe Kentucky CycleVarious Characters
Anne PitoniakPicnicHelen Potts
1995
(49th)
Frances Sternhagen*The Heiress*Lavinia Penniman
Suzanne BertishThe Molière ComediesLisette
Cynthia NixonIndiscretionsMadeleine Ozeray
Mercedes RuehlThe Shadow BoxBeverly
1996
(50th)
Audra McDonald*Master Class*Sharon Graham
Viola DavisSeven GuitarsVera
Michele ShayLouise
Lois SmithBuried ChildHallie
1997
(51st)
Lynne Thigpen*An American Daughter*Dr. Judith B. Kaufman
Helen CareyLondon AssuranceLady Gay Spanker
Dana IveyThe Last Night of BallyhooBoo Levy
Celia WestonReba Freitag
1998
(52nd)
Anna Manahan*The Beauty Queen of Leenane*Mags Folan
Enid GrahamHonourSophie
Linda LavinThe Diary of Anne FrankPetronella van Daan
Julyana SoelistyoGolden ChildEng Ahn
1999
(53rd)
Elizabeth Franz*Death of a Salesman*Linda Loman
Claire BloomElectraClytemnestra
Samantha BondAmy's ViewAmy Thomas
Dawn BradfieldThe Lonesome WestGirleen Kelleher

2000s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.
2000
(54th)
Blair Brown*Copenhagen*Margrethe Bohr
Frances ConroyThe Ride Down Mt. MorganTheo
Amy RyanUncle VanyaSonya Serebryakova
Helen StenborgWaiting in the WingsSarita Myrtle
Sarah WoodwardThe Real ThingCharlotte
2001
(55th)
Viola Davis*King Hedley II*Tonya
Johanna DayProofClaire
Penny FullerThe Dinner PartyGabrielle Buonocelli
Marthe KellerJudgment at NurembergMme. Bertholt
Michele LeeThe Tale of the Allergist's WifeLee Green
2002
(56th)
Katie Finneran*Noises Off*Brooke Ashton
Kate BurtonThe Elephant ManMadge Kendal
Elizabeth FranzMorning's at SevenAaronetta Gibbs
Estelle ParsonsCora Swanson
Frances SternhagenIda Bolton
2003
(57th)
Michele Pawk*Hollywood Arms*Louise
Christine EbersoleDinner at EightToledo
Linda EmondLife x 3Inez
Kathryn MeisleTartuffeElmire
Marian SeldesDinner at EightCarlotta Vance
2004
(58th)
Audra McDonald*A Raisin in the Sun*Ruth Younger
Essie DavisJumpersDotty
Sanaa LathanA Raisin in the SunBeneatha Younger
Margo MartindaleCat on a Hot Tin RoofBig Momma Pollitt
Daphne Rubin-VegaAnna in the TropicsConchita
2005
(59th)
Adriane Lenox*Doubt*Mrs. Muller
Mireille EnosWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Honey
Heather GoldenhershDoubtSister James
Dana IveyThe RivalsMrs. Malaprop
Amy RyanA Streetcar Named DesireStella Kowalski
2006
(60th)
Frances de la Tour*The History Boys*Mrs. Lintott
Tyne DalyRabbit HoleNat
Jayne HoudyshellWellAnn Kron
Alison PillThe Lieutenant of InishmoreMairead
Zoë WanamakerAwake and Sing!Bessie Berger
2007
(61st)
Jennifer Ehle*The Coast of Utopia*Liubov / Natalie Herzen / Malwida von Meysenbug
Xanthe ElbrickCoram BoyYoung Alexander / Ashbrook / Aaron
Dana IveyButleyEdna Shaft
Jan MaxwellCoram BoyMrs. Lynch
Martha PlimptonThe Coast of UtopiaVarenka / Natasha Tuchkov / Natasha Tuchkov Ogarev
2008
(62nd)
Rondi Reed*August: Osage County*Mattie Fae Aiken
Sinéad CusackRock 'n' RollEleanor
Mary McCormackBoeing-BoeingGretchen
Laurie MetcalfNovemberClarice Bernstein
Martha PlimptonTop GirlsAngie
2009
(63rd)
Angela Lansbury*Blithe Spirit*Madame Arcati
Hallie FooteDividing the EstateMary Jo Gordon
Jessica HynesThe Norman ConquestsAnnie
Marin Irelandreasons to be prettySteph
Amanda RootThe Norman ConquestsSarah

2010s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.
2010
(64th)
Scarlett Johansson*A View from the Bridge*Catherine
Maria DizziaIn the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)Mrs. Daldry
Rosemary HarrisThe Royal FamilyFanny Cavendish
Jessica HechtA View from the BridgeBeatrice Carbone
Jan MaxwellLend Me a TenorMaria Merelli
2011
(65th)
Ellen Barkin*The Normal Heart*Dr. Emma Brookner
Edie FalcoThe House of Blue LeavesBananas Shaughnessy
Judith LightLombardiMarie Lombardi
Joanna LumleyLa BêteThe Princess
Elizabeth RodriguezThe Motherfucker with the HatVeronica
2012
(66th)
Judith Light*Other Desert Cities*Silda Grauman
Linda EmondDeath of a SalesmanLinda Loman
Spencer KaydenDon't Dress for DinnerSuzette
Celia Keenan-BolgerPeter and the StarcatcherMolly Aster
Condola RashadStick FlyCheryl
2013
(67th)
Judith Light*The Assembled Parties*Faye
Carrie CoonWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Honey
Shalita GrantVanya and Sonia and Masha and SpikeCassandra
Judith IveyThe HeiressLavinia Penniman
Condola RashadThe Trip to BountifulThelma
2014
(68th)
Sophie Okonedo*A Raisin in the Sun*Ruth Younger
Sarah GreeneThe Cripple of InishmaanHelen McCormack
Celia Keenan-BolgerThe Glass MenagerieLaura Wingfield
Anika Noni RoseA Raisin in the SunBeneatha Younger
Mare WinninghamCasa ValentinaRita
2015
(69th)
Annaleigh Ashford*You Can't Take It with You*Essie Carmichael
Patricia ClarksonThe Elephant ManMadge Kendal
Lydia LeonardWolf Hall Parts One & TwoAnne Boleyn
Sarah StilesHand to GodJessica
Julie WhiteAirline HighwayTanya
2016
(70th)
Jayne Houdyshell*The Humans*Deirdre Blake
Pascale ArmandEclipsedBessie
Megan HiltyNoises OffBrooke Ashton
Andrea MartinDotty Otley
Saycon SengblohEclipsedHelena
2017
(71st)
Cynthia Nixon*The Little Foxes*Birdie Hubbard
Johanna DaySweatTracey
Jayne HoudyshellA Doll's House, Part 2Anne Marie
Condola RashadEmmy Helmer
Michelle WilsonSweatTracey
2018
(72nd)
Laurie Metcalf*Three Tall Women*B
Susan BrownAngels in AmericaHannah Pitt, et al.
Noma DumezweniHarry Potter and the Cursed ChildHermione Granger
Deborah FindlayThe ChildrenHazel
Denise GoughAngels in AmericaHarper Pitt, et al.
2019
(73rd)
Celia Keenan-Bolger*To Kill a Mockingbird*Scout Finch
Fionnula FlanaganThe FerrymanAunt Maggie Far Away
Kristine NielsenGary: A Sequel to Titus AndronicusJanice
Julie WhiteCarol
Ruth WilsonKing LearCordelia / Fool

2020s

YearActressPlayRole(s)Ref.No ceremony
2020
(74th)
Lois Smith*The Inheritance*Margaret
Jane AlexanderGrand HorizonsNancy
Chalia La TourSlave PlayTeá
Annie McNamaraAlana
Cora Vander BroekLinda VistaJules
2021
2022
(75th)
Phylicia Rashad*Skeleton Crew*Faye
Uzo AdubaClyde'sClyde
Rachel DratchPOTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him AliveStephanie
Kenita R. MillerFor Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is EnufLady in Red
Julie WhitePOTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him AliveHarriet
Kara YoungClyde'sLetitia
2023
(76th)
Miriam Silverman*The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window*Mavis Parodus Bryson
Nikki CrawfordFat HamTedra
Crystal Lucas-PerryAin't No Mo'Passenger #5
Katy SullivanCost of LivingAni
Kara YoungJessie
2024
(77th)
Kara Young*Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch*Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins
Quincy Tyler BernstineDoubt: A ParableMrs. Muller
Juliana CanfieldStereophonicHolly
Celia Keenan-BolgerMother PlayMartha
Sarah PidgeonStereophonicDiana
2025
(78th)
Kara Young*Purpose*Aziza
Tala AsheEnglishElham
Jessica HechtEureka DaySuzanne
Marjan NeshatEnglishMarjan
Fina StrazzaJohn Proctor Is the VillainBeth Powell

Statistics

Most wins

; 2 wins

  • Christine Baranski
  • Judith Ivey
  • Swoosie Kurtz
  • Judith Light (consecutive)
  • Audra McDonald
  • Frances Sternhagen
  • Kara Young (consecutive)

Most nominations

; 5 nominations

  • Frances Sternhagen

; 4 nominations

  • Dana Ivey
  • Celia Keenan-Bolger
  • Kara Young (consecutive)

; 3 nominations

  • Elizabeth Franz
  • Eileen Heckart
  • Jayne Houdyshell
  • Judith Ivey
  • Swoosie Kurtz
  • Judith Light (consecutive)
  • Condola Rashad
  • Marian Seldes
  • Lois Smith
  • Zoë Wanamaker
  • Julie White

; 2 nominations

  • Jane Alexander
  • Rae Allen
  • Christine Baranski
  • Leora Dana
  • Viola Davis
  • Johanna Day
  • Linda Emond
  • Fionnula Flanagan
  • Alice Ghostley
  • Jessica Hecht
  • Mary Beth Hurt
  • Zohra Lampert
  • Linda Lavin
  • Anna Manahan
  • Jan Maxwell
  • Audra McDonald
  • Laurie Metcalf
  • Debra Monk
  • Rosemary Murphy
  • Cynthia Nixon
  • Martha Plimpton
  • Amy Ryan
  • Carole Shelley
  • Maureen Stapleton
  • Margaret Tyzack

Character win total

; 2 wins

  • Mavis Parodus Bryson from The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window
  • Ruth Younger from A Raisin in the Sun

Character nomination total

; 3 nominations

  • Brooke Ashton from Noises Off
  • Honey from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
  • Mavis Parodus Bryson from The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window

; 2 nominations

  • Bananas Shaughnessy from The House of Blue Leaves
  • Beneatha Younger from A Raisin in the Sun
  • Beverly from The Shadow Box
  • Big Mama Pollitt from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
  • Birdie Hubbard from The Little Foxes
  • Charlotte from The Real Thing
  • Hannah Pitt (and others) from Angels in America
  • Harper Pitt (and others) from Angels in America
  • Lady Gay Spanker from London Assurance
  • Lady in Red from For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf
  • Lavinia Penniman from The Heiress
  • Linda Loman from Death of a Salesman
  • Madge Kendal from The Elephant Man
  • Maria Merelli from Lend Me a Tenor
  • Marthy Owen from Anna Christie
  • Mrs. Muller from Doubt
  • Ruth Younger from A Raisin in the Sun

boldface=Winner

  • Separate Tables – Beryl Measor and Phyllis Neilson-Terry
  • Butterflies Are FreeBlythe Danner and Eileen Heckart
  • Absurd Person Singular – Geraldine Page and Carole Shelley
  • The Shadow Box – Patricia Elliott and Rose Gregorio
  • Bedroom FarceJoan Hickson and Susan Littler
  • Crimes of the Heart – Mia Dillon and Mary Beth Hurt
  • HurlyburlyJudith Ivey and Sigourney Weaver
  • The House of Blue Leaves – Stockard Channing and Swoosie Kurtz
  • Joe Turner's Come and Gone – Kimberleigh Aarn, L. Scott Caldwell and Kimberly Scott
  • Our Country's Good – Amelia Campbell and J. Smith-Cameron
  • Angels in America: Millennium Approaches – Kathleen Chalfant and Marcia Gay Harden
  • Dancing at LughnasaBrid Brennan, Rosaleen Linehan and Dearbhla Molloy
  • Picnic – Debra Monk and Anne Pitoniak
  • Seven Guitars – Viola Davis and Michele Shay
  • The Last Night of Ballyhoo – Dana Ivey and Celia Weston
  • Morning's at Seven – Elizabeth Franz, Estelle Parsons and Frances Sternhagen
  • Dinner at Eight – Christine Ebersole and Marian Seldes
  • A Raisin in the Sun – Sanaa Lathan and Audra McDonald
  • Doubt: A Parable – Heather Goldenhersh and Adriane Lenox
  • The Coast of UtopiaJennifer Ehle and Martha Plimpton
  • The Norman Conquests – Jessica Hynes and Amanda Root
  • A View from the Bridge – Jessica Hecht and Scarlett Johansson
  • A Raisin in the SunSophie Okonedo and Anika Noni Rose
  • Noises Off – Megan Hilty and Andrea Martin
  • A Doll's House, Part 2 – Jayne Houdyshell and Condola Rashad
  • Sweat – Johanna Day and Michelle Wilson (Both this and A Doll's House, Part 2 were nominated the same year)
  • Angels in America – Susan Brown and Denise Gough
  • Slave Play – Chalia La Tour and Annie McNamara
  • Clyde's – Uzo Aduba and Kara Young
  • POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive – Rachel Dratch and Julie White (Both this and Clyde's were nominated the same year)
  • Cost of Living – Katy Sullivan and Kara Young
  • Stereophonic – Juliana Canfield and Sarah Pidgeon
  • English – Tala Ashe and Marjan Neshat}}

Multiple awards and nominations

; Actresses who have been nominated multiple times in any acting categories

AwardsNominationsRecipient
611Audra McDonald
510Julie Harris
7Angela Lansbury
46Gwen Verdon
4Zoe Caldwell
38Patti LuPone
5Irene Worth
Jessica Tandy
4Glenn Close
Mary Martin
3Shirley Booth
210Chita Rivera
8Colleen Dewhurst
7Bernadette Peters
Frances Sternhagen
Sutton Foster
6Andrea Martin
Laurie Metcalf
Maureen Stapleton
5Victoria Clark
Cherry Jones
Donna Murphy
Mary-Louise Parker
Swoosie Kurtz
4Christine Ebersole
Cynthia Nixon
Judith Ivey
Judy Kaye
Kara Young
Margaret Leighton
3Anne Bancroft
Bebe Neuwirth
Helen Gallagher
Helen Hayes
Jennifer Ehle
Judith Light
Liza Minnelli
Phylicia Rashad
Viola Davis
2Christine Baranski
Katie Finneran
Lauren Bacall
Sandy Dennis
Tammy Grimes
Uta Hagen
19Rosemary Harris
8Jane Alexander
Stockard Channing
7Kelli O'Hara
6Linda Lavin
5Celia Keenan-Bolger
Glenda Jackson
Jayne Houdyshell
Laura Benanti
Marian Seldes
4Blythe Danner
Carol Channing
Carole Shelley
Debra Monk
Diana Rigg
Faith Prince
Jessie Mueller
Julie White
Karen Ziemba
LaChanze
Madeline Kahn
3
Amanda Plummer
Annaleigh Ashford
Barbara Harris
Beth Leavel
Dorothy Loudon
Elizabeth Ashley
Elizabeth Franz
Ethel Merman
Helen Mirren
Idina Menzel
Jane Krakowski
Janet McTeer
Joanna Gleason
Kristin Chenoweth
Lois Smith
Maggie Smith
Mercedes Ruehl
Rae Allen
Stephanie J. Block
Tonya Pinkins
Tyne Daly
Vanessa Redgrave
2Adriane Lenox
Adrienne Warren
Alexis Smith
Alice Ghostly
Alice Ripley
Anika Noni Rose
Anna Manahan
Barbara Cook
Betty Buckley
Cady Huffman
Dolores Gray
Frances McDormand
Gretha Boston
Jessica Lange
Jo Van Fleet
Joan Allen
Joaquina Kalukango
Judith Anderson
Karen Olivo
Leora Dana
Leslie Uggams
Liliane Montevecchi
Lillias White
Linda Hopkins
Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Mendez
Lotte Lenya
Lynne Thigpen
Marcia Gay Harden
Margaret Tyzack
Maria Karnilova
Mary Alice
Maryann Plunkett
Mary Louise Wilson
Nanette Fabray
Natasha Richardson
Nikki M. James
Nina Arianda
Patina Miller
Patricia Elliott
Patsy Kelly
Phyllis Newman
Priscilla Lopez
Randy Graff
Rosalind Russell
Ruthie Ann Miles
Shirley Knight
Sophie Okonedo
NominationsRecipient
5Dana Ivey
Laura Linney
Estelle Parsons
Jan Maxwell
4Condola Rashad
Eileen Atkins
Elaine Stritch
Geraldine Page
Judy Kuhn
Kate Nelligan
Tovah Feldshuh
Zoë Wanamaker
3Amy Ryan
Brenda Vaccaro
Carolee Carmello
Dee Hoty
Eileen Heckart
Jennifer Simard
Jessica Hecht
Julie Andrews
Kate Burton
Linda Emond
Louise Troy
Lynn Redgrave
Marin Mazzie
Martha Plimpton
Mary Beth Hurt
Mary Testa
Rebecca Luker
Rosemary Murphy
Sandy Duncan
2Alison Fraser
Allison Janney
Amy Morton
Ann Reinking
Anne Pitoniak
Annette Bening
Barbara Bel Geddes
Barbra Streisand
Beatrice Lillie
Beth Fowler
Carmen Cusack
Carol Burnett
Charlotte d'Amboise
Charlotte Rae
Christine Andreas
Claudia McNeil
Crista Moore
Daphne Rubin-Vega
Debbie Allen
Diana Sands
Eartha Kitt
Elizabeth Allen
Ernestine Jackson
Eva Noblezada
Eve Best
Fionnula Flanagan
Georgia Brown
Gladys Cooper
Inga Swenson
Jane Fonda
Jayne Atkinson
Johanna Day
Josephine Premice
Josie de Guzman
Julienne Marie
Kate Baldwin
Kate Reid
Katharine Hepburn
Kathleen Turner
Kim Stanley
Kristine Nielsen
LaTanya Richardson Jackson
Laura Donnelly
Laura Osnes
Leland Palmer
Liv Ullmann
Marcia Lewis
Mare Winningham
Mary Beth Peil
Megan Hilty
Michele Lee
Mildred Natwick
Millicent Martin
Nancy Dussault
Nancy Walker
Penny Fuller
Pert Kelton
Ruth Wilson
S. Epatha Merkerson
Sarah Stiles
Sherie Rene Scott
Shoshana Bean
Sinéad Cusack
Siobhán McKenna
Spencer Kayden
Susan Browning
Tammy Blanchard
Vivian Reed
Zohra Lampert

|}

Trivia

  • Supporting actresses in two of three plays in Neil Simon's Eugene trilogy (Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound) were nominated for the Tony.
  • Featured actresses in six parts of August Wilson's The Pittsburgh Cycle have been nominated for the award.
  • Featured actress Trazana Beverley in Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf is the first African American actor to receive the award.
  • Kara Young was the first African-American actress to be nominated four consecutive times (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025).
  • Kara Young was the first African-American actress win consecutive Tonys, and second to win consecutively for this award after Judith Light.

References

References

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  2. Simons, Linda Keir. (1994). "The Performing Arts: a Guide to the Reference Literature". [[ABC-CLIO]].
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  71. (2024-04-30). "The 2024 Tony Award Nominations — Hell's Kitchen and Stereophonic Lead With 13 Each".
  72. (May 2025). "2025 Tony Awards: 'Buena Vista Social Club,' 'Death Becomes Her,' 'Maybe Happy Ending' Lead Nominations".
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