James Corden has been awarded a Tony Award for his role in the Broadway transfer of hit National Theatre production One Man, Two Guvnors.
Corden accepted the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Award at last night’s ceremony held at New York’s Beacon Theatre. He triumphed in a category that also included legendary actors Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Earl Jones, Frank Langella and John Lithgow.
In an emotional speech, the Gavin And Stacey actor acknowledged his fellow nominees, saying: “To be on a list with you was enough and holding this, it honestly just reminds me that there is no such thing as best.”
Corden originated the role of the food obsessed Francis Henshall in Richard Bean’s acclaimed comedy at the National Theatre last summer before transferring with the show into the West End and, in April this year, on Broadway.
Nominated for an Olivier Award earlier this year, the role is one of Corden’s most critically acclaimed successes with The New York Times describing his performance as: “the very embodiment of this show’s artful anarchy. It is Mr Corden who both anchors this self-contained reality and dissolves it at will.”
The show was nominated in six categories at last night’s awards, with Broadway transfers of West End shows End Of The Rainbow, Ghost The Musical and Evita also recognised. The big winner of the night however was new musical Once, which walked away with eight awards.
For a full list of winners visit www.tonyawards.com