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Nathan Lane Biography

Birth Name:Joseph Lane

Birth Place:Jersey City, New Jersey, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer

Fast Facts

Inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2008
Won the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play
Was given a scholarship to study drama at St․ Joseph's College, but decided to pursue an acting career on his own after learning that the scholarship would not cover all of his school expenses
Often takes on the role of energetic, comedic characters
Widely recognized for his distinctively high-pitched voice
Made his Broadway debut in the 1982 comedic revival "Present Laughter․"
Was voted "Best Actor" by his graduating high school class of 1974
Changed his first name to "Nathan" after the character Nathan Detroit from the musical "Guys and Dolls․"

Awards

1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1996American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1996ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1996Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: winner
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: winner
1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role): winner
1997CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1997MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Comedy/Musical Actor: nominated
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2000Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
2001Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: winner
2002NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
2005DVDX Award-Best Animated Character Performance (Voice and Animation in a DVD Premiere Movie): winner
2005DVDX Award-Best Original Song (in a DVD Premiere Movie): nominated
2005DVDX Award-Best Original Song (in a DVD Premiere Movie): nominated
2005Stinker Award-Less Than Dynamic Duo: nominated
2006Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2014Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Guest Actor: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015Felix-Best Song: nominated
2015Felix-Best Song: nominated
2015Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor of the Decade: nominated
2022Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: winner
2022HCA Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy: nominated
2022OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2022Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2023Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023SDFCS Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
2024Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2024Queerty-Film Performance: nominated
2025Astra TV Award-Best Cast Ensemble in a Streaming Comedy Series: nominated