Friday, March 29, 2024

Hollywood Stars Strike Out With Tony Nominations, Outer Critics, Et Al

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Broadway loves the money Hollywood stars bring to the Great White Way. But awards? That’s another story. Now that the Tony nominations have been announced, the reality of movie actors getting Tony’s, Outer Critics or other nods is sinking in. Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Chris Noth, Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Chris Rock — all of them are bring in audience, but none of them are getting statues or certificates this spring. It’s the same for Daniel Radcliffe, of “Harry Potter” fame. He’s really trying, but his performance in “How to Succeed” has last award nominators cold to his charms. For “The House of Blue Leaves,” both Stiller and Jennifer Jason Leigh were snubbed by the Tonys. Only Edie Falco has been cited by awards groups. Some of it may have to do with Hollywood stars making debuts. Falco has long been a presence on Broadway and in theater. Same for Judith Light, who’s currently in “Lombardi.” But Robin Williams? As good as he is, he’s met with resistance from critics. Same for Jim Belushi, who I’m sure theater nominators consider a TV actor. Sadly, they obviously thought the same of his “Born Yesterday” co-star Robert Sean Leonard. Ironically, the Tony Awards producers and CBS will be dying to get all those Hollywood actors onto the June 12th Tony Awards show to get some ratings. We’ll see who’s gracious enough to pitch in despite getting no love from the Tonys.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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