Tony, Emmy, and Screen Actors Guild award-winning actor Nathan Lane recently starred in The Nance at the Lyceum Theatre in New York in April of 2013, for which he was nominated for his 4th Tony nomination as Best Actor in a Play. In the fall of 2012, he debuted as a recurring guest star in the CBS hit drama The Good Wife.. In the spring of 2012, he starred in Chicago’s Goodman Theatre’s production of The Iceman Cometh opposite Brian Dennehy.
In 2009, he starred in the critically acclaimed production of Waiting for Godot at Studio 54. He appeared on Broadway in David Mamet’s hit comedy, November and starred in Butley in 2006. He also starred in the blockbuster Broadway production of Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, and in Stephen Sondheim’s adaptation of Aristophanes' The Frogs at Lincoln Center, for which he wrote the book.
His wildly acclaimed portrayal of Max Bialystock in The Producers on Broadway won Lane the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical. In addition, Nathan won the Olivier Award for his performance in The Producers in London.
Film audiences will remember Lane’s triumphant performance as Albert in Mike Nichols’ The Birdcage, which helped catapult the film into a major blockbuster hit. The role earned Lane a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe Nomination. He also earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for his portrayal of Max Bialystock in the movie version of the Tony-Award winning musical The Producers. Additionally, he won great acclaim as the voice of Timon the meerkat in the smash hit film The Lion King. Lane has also starred in such box office hits as Stuart Little and Mousehunt.
Broadway audiences have long embraced Lane as one of the shining lights of the theater. In 1996, his performance in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, directed by Jerry Zaks, earned him the Tony, the Outer Critics Circle and the Drama Desk Awards.
Among other Broadway credits are: Gomez in The Addams Family, Buzz in Terrence McNally’s Love! Valor! Compassion! (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Obie Awards); Max Prince in Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor; Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls (Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle Awards, Tony Nomination); Present Laughter (Drama Desk nomination) and On Borrowed Time with George C. Scott; Merlin; The Wind in the Willows; Some Americans Abroad and the national tour of Neil Simon’s Broadway Bound. Early in the 2001 Broadway season, Lane starred in the Roundabout Theater Company’s revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner.
Off-Broadway credits include Terrence McNally’s Lips Together, Teeth Apart, The Lisbon Traviata (Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Awards) and Bad Habits at the Manhattan Theatre Club; The Film Society and In A Pig’s Valise at Second Stage; The Common Pursuit; She Stoops to Conquer at the Roundabout; and Measure for Measure directed by Joseph Papp at the NYSF. Lane starred off Broadway in Jon Robin Baitz’ acclaimed Mizlansky/Zilinsky, and he played Dalton Trumbo in the off Broadway play, Trumbo.
Lane has also been recognized with two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for his work in Disney’s The Lion King’s Timon and Pumbaa, and for his work inDisney’sTeacher’s Pet.
Additional film credits include: Isn’t She Great?; Trixie; Love’s Labours Lost;, Addams Family Values; Life with Mikey; Frankie & Johnny; He Said, She Said; Ironweed; The Lemon Sisters; Jeffrey; Nicholas Nickelby and Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.
Lane’s television appearances include Terrence McNally’s The Last Mile, the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of The Boys Next Door, and the recent Laughter on the 23rd Floor. He was Emmy nominated for his guest spot on Modern Family.