Sean Hayes made history on June 11, 2023, when he won the Tony Award for Best Performance in a Play for his portrayal of Oscar Levant in the play Good Night, Oscar. Hayes is the first openly gay actor to win the award in this category.
In his acceptance speech, Hayes thanked his husband, Scott Icenogle, and said that he was his “purpose.” He also thanked his family, friends, and the cast and crew of Good Night, Oscar.
Hayes’ win was met with widespread praise from the theater community and beyond. BroadwayWorld called it a “historic moment” and The Hollywood Reporter said that it was “a long overdue win for a talented actor.”
Hayes’ career has spanned over 20 years, and he has starred in a number of successful television shows and films. He is best known for his role as Jack McFarland on the sitcom Will & Grace, for which he won two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Hayes is also a successful producer and director. He has produced a number of Broadway shows, including the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots.
Hayes’ win at the 2023 Tony Awards is a major milestone in his career and a victory for the LGBTQ+ community. It is a reminder that representation matters, and that LGBTQ+ actors can achieve great success in all areas of the entertainment industry.
Here are some additional details about Hayes’ win:
- Hayes is the first openly gay actor to win the Tony Award for Best Performance in a Play.
- Hayes is the second openly gay actor to win a Tony Award, after Billy Porter won for Best Actor in a Musical in 2013.
- Hayes is the 12th actor to win the Tony Award for Best Performance in a Play for a role in a Neil Simon play.
- Hayes is the 48th actor to win the Tony Award for Best Performance in a Play.
Here are some quotes from Hayes’ acceptance speech:
- “I’m shaking, I can’t believe — this is so surreal.”
- “First of all, my husband, Scotty — it’s Scotty, right? I can never get it right.”
- “You are my purpose. You are my reason for being.”
- “I love you so much.”
Here are some reactions to Hayes’ win:
- “A historic moment for the theater community.” – BroadwayWorld
- “A long overdue win for a talented actor.” – The Hollywood Reporter
- “A victory for the LGBTQ+ community.” – The Advocate
- “A reminder that representation matters.” – GLAAD
Hayes’ win is a significant moment for the theater community and the LGBTQ+ community. It is a reminder that representation matters, and that LGBTQ+ actors can achieve great success in all areas of the entertainment industry.
