Jeremy Strong Wins His First Tony Award
Jeremy Strong, known for his role in “Succession,” won his first Tony Award on Sunday night. He received the award for best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play for his portrayal in “An Enemy of the People.” Strong appeared genuinely surprised as he accepted the award on stage, expressing gratitude to the cast, crew, and theater staff.
“I want to thank the ushers and the front-of-house staff,” Strong said, drawing loud applause. “They 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.”
In the revival of Henrik Ibsen’s play, Strong stars alongside Michael Imperioli. He plays a small-town doctor who discovers a catastrophe that threatens the lives of everyone in the community. His character’s efforts to raise the alarm are met with resistance from those in power, including his own brother, played by Imperioli.
The adaptation, directed by Sam Gold and written by Amy Herzog, is also nominated for best revival of a play. Other nominations for the production include best lighting design, best scenic design, and best costume design.
Strong’s acceptance speech included heartfelt thanks to Herzog and Gold. He mentioned that he met his wife, Emma, while working on a previous play with Herzog. Addressing Gold, he 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 doused with ice.
“This play is a cry from the heart and an exhortation to face up to the difficult truths that are staring us all down right now,” Strong added.
Strong’s win came against fellow nominees William Jackson Harper (“Uncle Vanya”), Leslie Odom Jr. (“Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch”), and Liev Schreiber (“Doubt: A Parable”).
Strong has previously won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his role as Kendall Roy on HBO’s “Succession.” His Tony win adds to his growing list of accolades.
The Tony Awards ceremony, hosted by Ariana DeBose, took place at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. The event was broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount+.
Strong’s performance in “An Enemy of the People” has been widely praised. The New York Times described the play as “a bitter satire of local politics that soon reveals itself as a slow-boil tragedy of human complacency.” The review noted that Strong’s performance was reminiscent of Dr. Anthony Fauci, with his “messianic faith in science” and “barely mastered disdain.”
This Tony win marks a significant milestone in Strong’s career. He made his Broadway debut in 2008 in “A Man for All Seasons” and has since built a reputation as a versatile and dedicated actor. His role in “An Enemy of the People” has earned him additional nominations, including an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama League Award.
Strong’s recent projects include portraying Roy Cohn in “The Apprentice,” a film about Donald Trump’s early days, which premiered at Cannes in May 2024.
The Tony Awards also featured performances and appearances by other notable artists. Alicia Keys and Jay-Z performed their hit “Empire State of Mind,” and Kara Young won best featured actress in a play for “Purlie Victorious.”
The ceremony celebrated a diverse range of productions, from fun musicals like “Back to the Future” to political rallying cries like “Suffs.” The season showcased the flexibility and transformation of Broadway, with productions speaking to a wide array of audiences.
DeBose, a three-time host, emphasized the importance of theater in her opening number, “This Party’s for You.” She highlighted the sacrifices made by those in the industry and the unique impact of theater.
The pre-show awards saw “Stereophonic” and “The Outsiders” each taking home two technical Tonys. “Suffs” won the Tony Award for best book of a musical, and Dede Ayite’s work on “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” won best costume design of a play.
The Tony Awards capped a Broadway season that had something for everyone, from sweeping romances to intimate ensembles. The ceremony celebrated the resilience and creativity of the theater community, with a focus on the transformative power of the arts.
