John Lithgow made history at the 79th Annual Tony Awards Sunday night while dressed in a custom Gabriela Hearst tuxedo, taking home the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for Giant.
The 80-year-old actor wore a custom Gabriela Hearst tailored single-breasted peak-lapel evening jacket crafted from dark navy Super 160s virgin wool barathea with matching silk satin lapels and covered button details. The look was paired with custom slim-leg Sebastien trousers featuring a silk-satin waistband and a tuxedo stripe, along with a custom dark navy silk-satin bow tie. His wife, Mary Yeager, wore the Imara dress in black jersey paired with the Soft Demi Clutch.
The win marked Lithgow’s third Tony Award and made him the oldest man ever to win a competitive acting Tony, surpassing the previous record held by Roy Dotrice, who was 77 when he won in 2000.
Lithgow was recognized for his portrayal of author Roald Dahl in Giant, the acclaimed drama written by Mark Rosenblatt and directed by Nicholas Hytner. The play examines a controversial chapter in Dahl’s life and the fallout surrounding his public remarks about Israel and allegations of antisemitism.
The victory comes more than 50 years after Lithgow first won a Tony Award for The Changing Room in 1973, underscoring a Broadway career that has spanned generations. During his acceptance speech, Lithgow reflected on the remarkable journey that brought him back to the Tony stage more than five decades after his first win.
Giant transferred to Broadway following a celebrated London run, where Lithgow also earned an Olivier Award for the role. The production was among the season’s most acclaimed plays and received multiple Tony nominations, including Best Play.
Already known for memorable performances in The Crown, Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Terms of Endearment and Conclave, Lithgow’s latest honor further cements his status as one of the most versatile and enduring performers of his generation.
At an age when many actors have long stepped away from leading roles, Lithgow is still making history.
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