Daniel Radcliffe lands first Tony Award for starring role in Merrily We Roll Along
The ceremony featured a surprise performance from Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.
British star Daniel Radcliffe has won his first Tony Award for his starring role in Merrily We Roll Along, during a ceremony dominated by first-time winners.
Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose, who choreographed and starred in the opening number of the ceremony, returned for the third time as host at the Lincoln Centre’s David H Koch Theatre in New York City.
After performing with the cast of Merrily We Roll Along on stage, Radcliffe appeared shocked to win the award for best actor in a featured role in a musical.
“This has been one of the best experiences of my life,” Radcliffe said.
The Harry Potter star thanked the late George Furth and Stephen Sondheim “for writing this unbelievable show” in 1981, the songs of which he described as “a gift to get to sing every night”.
The 34-year-old described it as an “honour” to share the stage with co-stars Lindsay Mendez and Jonathan Groff in the musical which charts the turbulent relationship between three lifelong friends.
“I will miss you so much, I don’t really have to act in this show, I just have to look at you and I feel everything, I will never have it this good again,” he said.
Radcliffe wished a happy Father’s Day to his parents who were in the audience, and declared his love for partner Erin Darke.
“My love Erin, you and our son are the best thing that has ever happened to me, thank you so much,” he added.
The star-studded ceremony saw Angelina Jolie and her daughter Vivienne, Nick Jonas, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Idina Menzel, and Cynthia Erivo among the attendees, alongside a surprise performance from Alicia Keys and Jay-Z.
