Who Has Hosted the Tony Awards the Most?

In 1947, Brock Pemberton made history as the first ever host of the Antoinette Perry Awards- a ceremony that took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel and handed out awards in just eight categories. Not only was he the professional partner of Antoinette Perry, co-founder of the American Theatre Wing, but he is also credited with giving the ceremony its iconic nickname, the Tony Awards.

A lot has changed since Pemberton's time. Since its inception, the Tony Awards have taken place on stages all across New York City and have been hosted by dozens of artists. The first televised Tony Awrads took place in 1967, a tradition that has continued every year since (except for 2020). On June 8, 2025, viewers will be able to tune in to watch Cynthia Erivo take the stage at Radio City Music Hall as a first-time host for the 78th annual ceremony.

Did you know that four Tonys hosts have won Tony Awards in the years that they hosted? They are Robert Preston (I Do! I Do!, 1967), Glenn Close (Death and the Maiden, 1992 and Sunset Boulevard, 1995), Nathan Lane (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 1996 and The Producers, 2001) and Hugh Jackman (The Boy from Oz, 2004). Additionally, two people have won Special Awards in the years they have hosted: Richard Burton (1967) and Mary Tyler Moore (1980).

Ten individuals have hosted the Tony Awards twice. They are: Pemberton, Eddie Albert, Richard Burton, Glenn Close, James Corden, Henry Fonda, Helen Hayes, Gregory Hines, Bernadette Peters, and Peter Ustinov. Another ten people have hosted more than two times. Let's break it down...

Angela Lansbury (5)

The stage and screen icon Angela Lansbury holds the record as the host for the most Tony Awards ceremonies. Aside from her hosting duties, Lansbury earned six Tony Awards over the course of her legendary career, including one for Lifetime Achievement. She hosted in 1968 (with Peter Ustinov), 1971 (with Lauren Bacall, Anthony Quayle, Anthony Quinn), 1987, 1988, and 1989.

Neil Patrick Harris (4)

Opening numbers haven't been bigger (or better) since Harris' reign at the Tony Awards. Following his four hosting gigs (in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013) he earned his own Tony Award for his performance in Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2014.

Hugh Jackman (4)

Shortly after the world came to know him as Wolvervine, Jackman introduced himself to Broadway audiences over the course of for Tony Awards ceremonies (2003, 2004, 2005, and 2014). He won his own Tony for The Boy from Oz in 2004.

Nathan Lane (4)

The ceremonies of the late 90s and early 00s were dominated by Nathan Lane, who hosted in 1995 (with Glenn Close and Gregory Hines), 1996, 2000 (with Rosie O'Donnell), and 2001 (with Matthew Broderick). Two of his three Tony Awards were earned at ceremonies he hosted, for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and The Producers.

Robert Preston (4)

Though he never hosted alone, Robert Preston partnered up with showbiz icons at four separate ceremonies. They were: 1962 (with Ray Bolger), 1967 (with Mary Martin), 1974 (with Peter Falk, Florence Henderson, and Cicely Tyson), 1984 (with Julie Andrews). He also earned two Tonys of his own for The Music Man and I Do! I Do!.

Ariana DeBose (3)

After being nominated for a Tony Award in 2018 and winning an Academy Award for her performance in West Side Story, DeBose went on to host in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Rosie O'Donnell (3)

After hosting the Tony Awards on three separate occasions in the 90s (1997, 1998, and 2000 (with Nathan Lane)) Rosie was awarded the Isabelle Stevenson Award in 2014.

Julie Andrews (3)

The three-time Tony nominee has co-hosted on three separate occasions: in 1970 (with Shirley MacLaine, Walter Matthau), 1984 (with Robert Preston), and 1991 (with Jeremy Irons).

Bud Collyer (3)

Before the Tonys were televised, the game show host and radio personality hosted three times in 1957, 1958, 1959. Unlike most later hosts, Collyer never appeared in a Broadway show. 

James Sauter (3)

Sauter hosted the ceremony in a few of its early years, in 1949 (with Brock Pemberton), 1951, and 1954.