The nominations for this year’s Tony Awards were just revealed on May 1, with nominees ranging from first-timers to Tony Award veterans.
This year, an exciting number of nominees are celebrating their first-ever nominations, with 28 of the 42 acting nominees being recognized for the first time this year.
On the other hand, six of those 42 nominees have already taken home the grand prize. Take a look at the acting nominees this year who could add another Tony to their collection if they win on June 8.
Audra McDonald, nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Gypsy
A history-making performer in more ways than one, Audra McDonald is celebrating her 11th nomination this year, for her leading turn as Rose in Gypsy. With this nod, she is now the most nominated performer in Tony Awards history. If that wasn’t enough, she has held the record for the most awarded performer at the Tonys for over a decade, with six wins, and is the only performer to have won in all four acting categories in which she is eligible.
In 1994, she won on her first-ever nomination, for Carousel; another in 1996, for Master Class; in 1998, for Ragtime; in 2004, for A Raisin in the Sun; in 2012, for Porgy and Bess; and in 2014, for Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill. We’ll find out June 8 if six wins turn into seven!
Jonathan Groff, nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for Just in Time
Jonathan Groff is returning to the Tony Awards for a second year in a row! Nominated this time for his turn as Bobby Darrin in Just in Time, Groff celebrates this nomination fresh off his win in 2024 for his performance in the hit revival of Merrily We Roll Along.
In addition to his nomination-turned-win last year, he was previously nominated in 2007 for Spring Awakening and in 2016 for Hamilton.
James Monroe Iglehart, nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical
James Monroe Iglehart earns his third Tony nomination this year for his performance as Louis Armstrong in A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical. This marks his first nomination in the leading role category.
He previously took home the Tony Award in 2014 for his performance as the Genie in Aladdin.
Gabriel Ebert, nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for John Proctor is the Villain
Gabriel Ebert received his second Tony Award nomination this year for his performance in John Proctor Is the Villain.
Ebert made his Broadway debut in 2012 in Brief Encounter and gained major recognition the following year when he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Matilda: The Musical.
Kara Young, nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for Purpose.
Kara Young earns her fourth consecutive Tony nomination this year. Recognized this time for her featured role in Purpose, Young is fresh off a 2024 Tony Award win for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for her role in Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch.
She was first nominated in 2022 for her Broadway debut in Clyde’s, followed by a second nomination in 2023 for Cost of Living. Young is the first Black performer to receive Tony nominations in four consecutive seasons.
Danny Burstein, nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical for Gypsy
Danny Burstein receives his eighth Tony Award nomination this year, for his performance as Herbie in Gypsy. Similarly to McDonald, his Gypsy leading lady, this nomination marks a history-making moment for the actor, as he is now the most nominated male performer in Tony history, alongside Jason Robards. He won his first Tony at the ceremony held in 2021 for Best Featured Actor in a Musical, for Moulin Rouge! The Musical, following more than a decade of nominations.
His first nomination was in 2006 for The Drowsy Chaperone. The following were in 2008 for South Pacific, in 2012 for Follies, in 2013 for Golden Boy, in 2014 for Cabaret, in 2016 for Fiddler on the Roof, and in 2018 for My Fair Lady.