Hugh Jackman to Return as Host of 68th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS!

By: Feb. 11, 2014
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Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning actor Hugh Jackman returns to host THE 68TH ANNUAL TONY® AWARDS, live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Sunday, June 8 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. This will be Jackman's fourth time hosting the Tonys. Previously, Jackman served as host from 2003-2005, earning an Emmy Award for his 2004 duties at the 58th Annual ceremony, as well as an Emmy nomination for his 2005 appearance at the 59th Annual ceremony.

"We are thrilled to have Hugh Jackman return to host the Tony Awards," said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. "Hugh is the ultimate performer - actor, singer and dancer - he does it all, second to none. He is a consummate entertainer and the one you want out there hosting your live television event."

"We are excited that Hugh will be joining us, once again, at Radio City Music Hall to host THE 68TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS," said Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League and Heather Hitchens, Executive Director of the American Theatre Wing. "Hugh is an extraordinary talent and loyal supporter of the Broadway community - whether he is on-stage or in the audience - and we are honored to have him back as host."

Hugh Jackman is an Academy Award® nominated, Golden Globe and Tony Award winning actor, who has made an impression on audiences of all ages with his multi-hyphenate career persona, proving that he is as successful on stage in front of live crowds as he is on a film set. The Australian native made his first major U.S. film appearance as Wolverine in the first installment of the "X-Men" series, a role he reprised in the enormously successful "X2," "X-Men: The Last Stand," "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and "The Wolverine." He reunites with the X-men team for "X-Men: Days of Future Past," which is set for release in May 2014.

Jackman's other feature film credits include "Prisoners," "LES MISERABLES," for which he earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical as well as his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, "Rise of the Guardians," "Real Steel," "Australia," "The Fountain," "The Prestige," "Scoop," "Happy Feet," "Flushed Away" "Deception," "Someone Like You," "Swordfish," "Van Helsing" and "Kate and Leopold," for which he received a 2002 Golden Globe nomination.

Most recently, Jackman appeared on Broadway in "Hugh Jackman - Back on Broadway" in the fall of 2011. Additional credits include "A Steady Rain" in 2009 and "The Boy From Oz," for which Jackman received the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical as well as Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World awards. Previously, Jackman appeared in "Carousel" at Carnegie Hall, "Oklahoma!" at the National Theater in London (Olivier Award nomination), "Sunset Boulevard" (MO Award - Australia's Tony Award) and Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" (MO Award nomination). Jackman's continued dedication to the Broadway community was feted at the 2012 Tony Awards where he received a Special Award from the Tony Awards Administration Committee, recognizing his accomplishments both as a performer as well as a humanitarian.

Jackman's career began in Australia in the independent films "Paperback Hero" and "Erskineville Kings" (Australian Film Critics' Circle Best Actor award and The Australian Film Institute Best Actor nomination). In 1999, he was named Australian Star of the Year at the Australian Movie Convention.

This year marks the 68th anniversary of the TONY Awards, which were first held on April 6, 1947 at the Waldorf Astoria's Grand Ballroom. The ceremony is presented by Tony Award Productions, which is a joint venture of The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, which founded the Tonys.

The nominations for the 2014 Tony Awards will be announced live on Tuesday, April 29 from New York City.

The June 2012 broadcast of THE 66th ANNUAL Tony Awards was honored with four Primetime Emmy Awards in the categories of Outstanding Special Class Programs, Outstanding Music Direction, Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics ("If I Had Time") and Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Special. This marked the fourth consecutive year the telecast was awarded for Outstanding Special Class Programs.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producers. Weiss will serve as director for the 15th consecutive year.



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