96-Year-Old June Squibb Becomes Oldest Tony-Nominated Actor as 'The Lost Boys' and 'Schmigadoon!' Lead with 12 Nods Each

Key facts

• June Squibb, 96, nominated for 'Marjorie Prime', surpasses Lois Smith (89) as oldest Tony-nominated actor.
• Danny Burstein earns ninth career nomination, most by a male actor, surpassing Jason Robards.
• 'The Lost Boys' and 'Schmigadoon!' lead with 12 Tony nominations each.
• 'Ragtime' revival receives 11 nominations; 'Death of a Salesman' revival gets nine.
• Best new musical nominees: 'The Lost Boys', 'Schmigadoon!', 'Titanique', 'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)'.
• Best new play nominees include 'Giant' (John Lithgow), 'Liberation' (Pulitzer winner), 'The Balusters', 'Little Bear Ridge Road'.
• Daniel Radcliffe nominated for 'Every Brilliant Thing'; John Lithgow seeks third Tony for 'Giant'.

Record-Breaking Nominations Announced for 2026 Tony Awards

The 2026 Tony Award nominations, announced Tuesday, have rewritten the record books. June Squibb, at 96 years old, became the oldest actor ever nominated for a Tony, earning a nod for her performance in 'Marjorie Prime'. She bested the previous record held by Lois Smith, who was 89 when nominated in 2020 for 'The Inheritance'. Squibb's Broadway career began in 1960 with the original production of 'Gypsy' starring Ethel Merman. Danny Burstein also made history, collecting his ninth career nomination for his work in 'Marjorie Prime', making him the most-nominated male actor in Tony history, surpassing Jason Robards. Kelli O'Hara received her ninth nomination for the revival of Noël Coward's comedy 'Fallen Angels', tying her with Rosemary Harris for third on the all-time acting nominations list.

'The Lost Boys' and 'Schmigadoon!' Lead the Pack with 12 Nominations Each

Two shows dominated the nominations: 'The Lost Boys', an adaptation of the 1987 teen vampire film, and 'Schmigadoon!', based on the Apple TV series that satirizes Broadway musicals, each earned 12 nominations. They are followed closely by the revival of 'Ragtime', the sweeping musical about early 20th-century America, which received 11 nods. Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman', starring Nathan Lane, garnered nine nominations. Twenty-four shows received at least one nomination across the 26 categories. Notable nominees include 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball', a reimagining of the classic feline musical through queer ballroom culture, and a revival of 'Chess', the Cold War love story set against a chess championship.

Best New Musical and Play Contenders Set

The best new musical category will be contested by five shows: 'The Lost Boys', 'Schmigadoon!', 'Titanique' (a camp comedy reimagining the Titanic disaster), and 'Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)', a rom-com about opposites attracting over a weekend. For best new play, the nominees are 'Giant', starring John Lithgow and exploring accusations of antisemitism against Roald Dahl; 'Liberation', about a 1970s women's consciousness-raising group that won the Pulitzer Prize for drama on Monday; 'The Balusters', a comedy about a neighborhood association descending into chaos over a stop sign; and 'Little Bear Ridge Road', about a writer returning to his hometown after his father's death.

Acting Nominations Spotlight Veterans and Rising Stars

Daniel Radcliffe earned a nomination for his one-person show 'Every Brilliant Thing', which examines depression and its antidotes. John Lithgow, already a two-time Tony winner, is nominated for leading actor in a play for 'Giant'. He faces competition from Nathan Lane ('Death of a Salesman'), Radcliffe, Mark Strong ('Oedipus'), and Will Harrison ('Punch'). Marla Mindelle received a best actress nomination for 'Titanique'. The best play revival category is packed with acclaimed productions: 'Every Brilliant Thing', 'Death of a Salesman', 'Oedipus' (a modern retelling set on election night), 'Becky Shaw' (Gina Gionfriddo's dark comedy), and 'Fallen Angels' (Noël Coward's battle of wits between two society women).

Historical Context and Records Set

Squibb's nomination at 96 underscores a trend of older actors being recognized for late-career work. Her record-breaking nod highlights the longevity of Broadway careers, as she first appeared on the Great White Way 66 years ago. Burstein's nine nominations place him atop the male acting list, while O'Hara's nine tie her for third among all actors. The 2026 nominations also reflect a diverse range of stories, from queer ballroom culture in 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' to the Cold War intrigue of 'Chess'.

What Comes Next for the Nominees

The Tony Awards ceremony, scheduled for later this year, will determine the winners among these nominees. The competition is fierce, with 'The Lost Boys' and 'Schmigadoon!' leading in total nominations but facing strong challengers in 'Ragtime' and 'Death of a Salesman'. The best new play category features 'Liberation', fresh off its Pulitzer win, which could boost its chances. For actors like Squibb and Burstein, a win would cement their places in Tony history.

Broadway's Resilience and Evolving Storytelling

The 2026 nominations showcase Broadway's ability to blend nostalgia with innovation. Revivals of classics like 'Ragtime' and 'Death of a Salesman' sit alongside adaptations of pop culture phenomena like 'The Lost Boys' and 'Schmigadoon!'. The inclusion of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' and 'Titanique' demonstrates a willingness to experiment with form and genre. As the industry continues to recover from recent challenges, the diversity of nominated works signals a vibrant future for live theater.

The bottom line

• June Squibb, 96, becomes the oldest Tony-nominated actor, surpassing Lois Smith's record.
• Danny Burstein now holds the record for most Tony nominations by a male actor with nine.
• 'The Lost Boys' and 'Schmigadoon!' lead all shows with 12 nominations each.
• Best new play nominee 'Liberation' won the Pulitzer Prize for drama on Monday.
• Daniel Radcliffe and John Lithgow are among the acting nominees in competitive categories.
• The 2026 Tony Awards reflect Broadway's mix of revivals, adaptations, and original works.