Stars Who Won a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for the Same Role
Over the years a select group of star performers have won both a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for the same role. Check out some of the remarkable thespians who captivated audiences in London and New York alike, and took home top theatre honors on both sides of the Atlantic.
1. Helen Mirren
Dame Helen Mirren won an Olivier in 2013 for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in Peter Morgan's play The Audience. She earned a Tony in 2015 after the show transferred to Broadway. Mirren also took home an Oscar for interpreting Elizabeth II on film in The Queen—same character, different role—which was also written by Peter Morgan.
2. Richard McCabe
The Scottish actor played U.K. Prime Minister Harold Wilson on both sides of the Atlantic in The Audience along with Helen Mirren—and likewise was honored both times.
3. Lea Salonga
This phenomenal Filipina had already won the Olivier Award for her breakout performance as “Kim” in Miss Saigon in 1990 when she came to the U.S. and took home a 1991 Tony Award in her first Broadway outing.
4. Eddie Redmayne
London native Eddie Redmayne received Tony and Olivier nods for his portrayal of artist Mark Rothko's assistant, "Ken," in John Logan's play Red in 2010.
5. Nathan Lane
Nathan Lane, won a Tony as Max Bialystock in The Producers in 2001 and then an Olivier for playing "The King of Broadway" in 2005.
6. Angela Lansbury
Five-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury won a Tony for her performance as "Madame Arcati" in Blithe Spirit in 2009, and an Olivier when the Noël Coward comedy played London's West End in 2015.
7. Michael Crawford
The original "Phantom of the Opera," Michael Crawford, enchanted London and New York audiences alike, earning an Olivier in 1986 and a Tony in 1988.
8. Douglas Hodge
Douglas Hodge won an Olivier in 2009 for his portrayal of "Albin" in La Cage aux Folles and then a Tony in 2010 for his debut performance on Broadway in the same role.
9. Richard Griffiths
Richard Griffiths received a Olivier in 2005 and a Tony in 2006 for his performance as "Hector," the unorthodox history teacher in Alan Bennett's The History Boys.
10. Brian Dennehy
Brian Dennehy's (pictured left, with Martin Short) performance as "Willy Loman" in the iconic Arthur Miller drama Death of a Salesman earned him a Tony Award in 1999 and an Olivier Award in 2006.
11. Jonathan Pryce
Miss Saigon's original "Engineer", Jonathan Pryce, won an Olivier in 1990 and a Tony when the musical transferred to Broadway in 1991.
12. Mark Rylance
Mark Rylance won an Olivier in 2010 and a Tony in 2011 after reprising the role of "Johnny 'Rooster' Byron" in Jez Butterworth's play Jerusalem.
13. Roger Rees
Roger Rees received an Olivier in 1980 and a Tony in 1982 as the title character in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, the 8½ hour-long adaptation of Charles Dickens’ novel, performed in two parts.
14. Pauline Collins
Pauline Collins' performance as the title character in Shirley Valentine earned her Olivier and Tony nods in 1988 and 1989, respectively. She is the only actor on this list to be honored for a solo performance.
15. Janet McTeer
Janet McTeer's portrayal of "Nora" in the Ibsen classic A Doll's House garnered her a Tony and an Olivier in 1997.
16. Lindsay Duncan
Lindsay Duncan's comic turn as "Amanda Prynne" in Noël Coward's Private Lives earned her a Tony and Olivier in 2002.
17. Jane Lapotaire
Jane Lapotaire earned an Olivier for her performance of the title character in Piaf in 1979 and then a Tony for the same role in 1981.
18. Robert Lindsay
Robert Lindsay's performance as "Bill Snibson" in Me and My Girl earned him an Olivier in 1985 and a Tony in 1987.
19. Natalia Makarova
Prima ballerina Natalia Makarova won a Tony in 1983 and an Olivier in 1984 for her performance in On Your Toes.