Jeremy Strong, known for his role in HBO’s “Succession,” has won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play. The award was given for his portrayal in the revival of Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People.” The 77th Annual Tony Awards took place at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater on June 16.
Strong, visibly moved, expressed his gratitude to the cast, crew, and theater staff. “I want to thank the ushers and the front-of-house staff who see me walking in every day looking like I’ve just been run over by a truck and see me walk out looking somehow even worse, with bits of pretzels in my hair,” he said, drawing laughter and applause from the audience.
In “An Enemy of the People,” Strong plays a small-town doctor who discovers a life-threatening catastrophe. His character’s efforts to alert the community are met with resistance and attempts to silence him, even from his own brother, played by Michael Imperioli. The play, adapted by Amy Herzog and directed by Sam Gold, has also been nominated for Best Revival of a Play, along with several other categories including Best Lighting Design, Best Scenic Design, and Best Costume Design.
Strong’s win marks his first Tony Award and nomination. He made his Broadway debut in 2008 with “A Man for All Seasons.” During his acceptance speech, he thanked Herzog and Gold, noting that he met his wife, Emma, while working on Herzog’s “The Great God Pan.”
Addressing Gold, Strong said, “Thank you for being everything an actor could hope for in a director and for bringing new meaning to the term ‘ice bucket challenge.'” This comment referred to a scene in the play where Strong’s character is pelted with ice while hiding under a bar.
Strong emphasized the play’s relevance, calling it “a cry from the heart and an exhortation to face up to the difficult truths that are staring us all down right now.” His performance beat out strong contenders, including William Jackson Harper for “Uncle Vanya,” Leslie Odom Jr. for “Purlie Victorious,” Liev Schreiber for “Doubt,” and Michael Stuhlbarg for “Patriots.”
Jeremy Strong has previously won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role as Kendall Roy in “Succession.” His Tony win adds another prestigious accolade to his career.
The Tony Awards ceremony, hosted by Ariana DeBose, was broadcast live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The event aired on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Jeremy Strong, born on December 25, 1978, in Boston, Massachusetts, is a Yale University graduate. He furthered his acting studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. His first off-Broadway performance was in John Patrick Shanley’s “Defiance” in 2006. He made his Broadway debut in the 2008 revival of Robert Bolt’s “A Man for All Seasons.”
In addition to his stage work, Strong has appeared in several films, often portraying historical figures. His film credits include roles in “Lincoln,” “Parkland,” “Selma,” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” He has also appeared in “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Big Short,” “Molly’s Game,” and “Armageddon Time.”
In 2022, Strong was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people in the world. His recent Tony win further cements his status as a leading actor in both television and theater.
