It’s official: George Clooney is now a Tony-nominated actor.
The 63-year-old Hollywood heavyweight, best known for his film work in Ocean’s Eleven, The Descendants, and Michael Clayton, just scored his first-ever Tony Award nomination for his leading role in Good Night, and Good Luck.
The political drama marks Clooney’s Broadway debut, and his performance landed him a spot in the highly competitive Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play category.
Clooney will go head-to-head with Cole Escola (Oh, Mary!), Jon Michael Hill (Purpose), Daniel Dae Kim (Yellow Face), Harry Lennix (Purpose), and Louis McCartney (Stranger Things: The First Shadow).
Clooney’s transition from screen to stage has been met with critical acclaim, and this nomination cements his status as a serious theatrical talent. Good Night, and Good Luck is adapted from the 2005 film Clooney co-wrote and directed, centering on real-life journalist Edward R. Murrow’s battle against McCarthyism during the Red Scare.
George Clooney not the only first-timer in this year’s Tony race. Sarah Snook, fresh off her acclaimed role in Succession, also landed her first Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for The Picture of Dorian Gray. She’s joined by Mia Farrow, Laura Donnelly, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, and Sadie Sink.
This year’s 78th annual Tony Awards are shaping up to be a celebration of both stage debuts and legendary names. Broadway’s big hitters include:
- Death Becomes Her, Maybe Happy Ending, and Buena Vista Social Club, all scoring 10 nominations each.
- John Proctor Is the Villain and The Hills of California led among plays, with 7 nods apiece.
Meanwhile, Audra McDonald made history with her 11th career Tony nomination, becoming the most nominated performer in Tony Awards history for her leading role in Gypsy.
The ceremony will be hosted by Cynthia Erivo, another Tony winner herself, and will take place on June 8 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The show will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
With this milestone, Clooney edges closer to EGOT status, having already won two Oscars and a Golden Globe. Could Broadway now be his latest awards-season frontier?
