Bill Irwin

Birth Place: Santa Monica, CA, USA

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Bill Irwin BIO

Bill Irwin is an actor, director, writer, and clown. His original works include The Regard of Flight, Largely New York, Fool Moon, Old Hats, and others. His theatre credits include Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?; Waiting for Godot; Endgame; and On Beckett. Television credits include FX's "Legion," HBO's "Confirmation," "This Is Us," and Mr. Noodle in "Elmo's World." His film credits include Rachel Getting Married, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Eight Men Out, and Interstellar. His work has been honored with Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Barrymore, and Helen Hayes Awards. Irwin is a recipient of Guggenheim, Fulbright, MacArthur, and National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships.

Bill Irwin Photos

Bill Irwin STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Irish Repertory Company Off-Broadway Production , 2023
Clov

[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere, 2018
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2018
Ed Mosher

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater and National Theatre One-Night Reading, 2017
Senator Charles E. Grassley

Senator Bob Corker

[New York]
MasterVoices One Night Production, 2017
Master Toymaker

[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Off-Broadway Revival Production, 2016
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Original Off-Broadway Production, 2013
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Production, 2011
Fool

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2009
Harry MacAfee

[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2009
Vladimir

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
George

[Off-Broadway]
2004
G.L. Fox/Humpty Clown

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Harlequin

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Martin [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1998
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1997
Scapin

[Broadway]
Return Engagement [Broadway], 1995
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1995
Trinculo

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1993
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Performer

[Broadway]
1989
The Post-Modern Hoofer

[Off-Broadway]
1988
Lucky

[Broadway]
1987
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1984
The Sergeant

Bill Irwin Productions

 
[Broadway, 2019]
Movement Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1997]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1989]
Choreographer
Director

Writing

Adaptation
Creator
Creator
Playwright
Playwright
Co-Creator

Bill Irwin Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2005 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Bill Irwin, Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Obie Awards - 1993 - Performance

Bill Irwin, Texts for Nothing

Helen Hayes Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Director, Non-Resident Production

Bill IrwinLaregly/New York (The Further Adventures of a Post-Modern Hoofer)

Tony Awards - 1989 - Best Choreography

Bill Irwin, Largely New York

Bill Irwin Videos

Bill Irwin News


Photos: New 42 and New Victory Theater Host NEW VICTORY FAMILY BENEFIT

On Sunday, March 3, New 42 and New Victory Theater celebrated the return of the New Victory Family Benefit. This year’s event, titled “Circus in the City,” featured a performance of 360 ALLSTARS, followed by a circus procession led by Omnium Circus across 42nd St. Check out phtoos here!

Review: ON BECKETT at Guthrie Theatre

What did our critic think of ON BECKETT at Guthrie Theatre?

Performances Begin Tonight for REDWOOD World Premiere Starring Idina Menzel at La Jolla Playhouse

Redwood, the new musical starring Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel, begins its World Premiere engagement at La Jolla Playhouse. Learn more about this new show, and learn how to purchase tickets.

Guthrie Theater to Present ON BECKETT Featuring Tony Award Winner Bill Irwin

The Guthrie Theater has revealed the cast and creative team for On Beckett, an Irish Repertory Theatre production produced by Octopus Theatricals. Learn how to purchase tickets!

SF SKETCHFEST Continues In San Francisco Shows & Livestream Events Through February 4

After kicking off its 21st comedy festival last week with legend Eric Idle, followed by dozens of shows through the week, SF Sketchfest continues its multi-day comedy festival with more shows and live-stream events through Februrary 4.

Photos: Irish Repertory Theatre Celebrates Opening Night of ARISTOCRATS

Irish Repertory Theatre just celebrated opening night of Aristocrats, the second production in The Friel Project. Check out photos from inside the big night!

SF SKETCHFEST ​​​​​​​Kicks Off Tonight In San Francisco

SF SKETCHFEST is kicking off tonight in San Francisco! With 18 days, 17 venues, and over 200 shows featuring 600+ artists, this event is not to be missed.

Signature Theatre Presents Dominique Morisseau's SUNSET BABY, Directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, January 30- March 10

Signature Theatre presents Signature Premiere Resident, Tony Award nominee, and MacArthur Fellow Dominique Morisseau's Sunset Baby, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III.

SF SKETCHFEST Kicks Off Next Week With Eric Idle, 200+ Shows January 18 - February 4

SF Sketchfest kicks off its 21st comedy festival with legend Eric Idle at the Castro Theatre on Thursday, January 18 followed by over 200 shows taking place through February 4 in venues across San Francisco.

De'Adre Aziza, Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, Zachary Noah Piser & More Join Idina Menzel-Led REDWOOD at La Jolla Playhouse

The complete cast and creative team has been revealed for Redwood starring Idina Menzel. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Comedians With Disabilities Act to Make Debut At SF Sketchfest At The Alameda Comedy Club

The Comedians with Disabilities Act (CWDA) makes its debut at SF Sketchfest at the Alameda Comedy Club. This comedy troupe, founded by the late comedian Michael O'Connell, features talented comedians with disabilities sharing their unique perspectives.

Music From The Sole Brings I DIDN'T COME TO STAY to the Joyce

New York City's Music From The Sole will make its Joyce debut in its latest evening-length work, I Didn't Come to Stay. The exploration of the origins and worldwide influence of tap dance set to live original music will play The Joyce Theater from January 30-February 4. 

Last Chance to Vote for the BWW Off-Broadway Awards; Voting Ends 12/31

It's the final week left to vote for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Voting ends on 12/31 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

2 Weeks to Vote for the BWW Off-Broadway Awards!

There's just two weeks left to vote and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 18th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Cast & Creative Team Announced For World Premiere Of Dave Malloy's THREE HOUSES

Signature Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the world premiere production of Dave Malloy's Three Houses, directed and choreographed by Annie Tippe. The musical will feature J.D. Mollison, Mia Pak, Margo Seibert, Henry Stram, Scott Stangland, and Ching Valdes-Aran. Performances begin on April 30, 2024.

Rubicon Theatre Company Receives $1.5 Million Gift From State of California

Rubicon Theatre Company receives $1.5 million gift from State of California during opening night of 'The World Goes 'Round' in Ventura.

BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards; TITANIQUE & More Lead

It's the final 3 weeks and we have the latest standings as of Monday, December 11th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Bill Irwin's One-Man Show ON BECKETT Begins Performances at Two River Theater This Week

Don't miss Tony Award-winning actor Bill Irwin's captivating performance in 'On Beckett' at Two River Theater. Experience the beauty of Samuel Beckett's language in this intimate one-man show. Get your tickets now!

TFANA to Present Final Extension Of WAITING FOR GODOT Starring Michael Shannon & More

THEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE announces final extension of Samuel Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot' starring Michael Shannon and Paul Sparks. Don't miss this critically acclaimed production running through December 23.

BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards December 5th Standings; Leads Favorite Local Theatre!

It's December, and the first standings of the month have been announced as of Tuesday, December 5th for the 2023 BroadwayWorld Off-Broadway Awards! Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!

Bill Irwin FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Bill Irwin has appeared on Broadway in 11 shows.

Bill Irwin has not appeared in the West End.

Bill Irwin has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Endgame," Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play by The Lortels for "Endgame," and Outstanding Actor in a Play by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "On Beckett." He has also received nominations such as Distinguished Performance Award by the Drama League Awards for "Old Hats," Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play by the Drama Desk Awards for "King Lear," and Outstanding Actor in a Play by the Drama Desk Awards for "Waiting for Godot." Additionally, he has been nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and for Outstanding Solo Performance by the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Texts for Nothing." Irwin's nominations also include Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Fool Moon," Best Choreography at the Tony Awards, and Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards, both for "Largely New York." He has received Special Awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards and Special Citations from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and the Obie Awards for his work in various productions.

Bill Irwin has won several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Endgame," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," a Performance Obie Award for "Texts for Nothing," Special Awards from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Largely New York," a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards for "Largely New York," and Special Citations for his inspired clowning at the Obie Awards.

Bill Irwin has written 7 shows including The Regard of Flight (Playwright), The Regard of Flight and The Clown Bagatelles (Creator), Largely New York (Playwright), Scapin (Adaptation), The Harlequin Studies (Playwright), Mr. Fox: A Rumination (Playwright), Old Hats (Co-Creator).

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