James Naughton
Birth Place: Middleton, CT
Submissions Now Open for Theatre Aspen's Seventh Annual SOLO FLIGHTS (Jan 26, 2026)
Marsha Mason and James Naughton Join THE PANCAKE CLUB Reading at Westport Country Playhouse (Jan 8, 2026)
Theatre Aspen Reveals Recipients of the 2025 Solo Flights Festival Grants (Sep 18, 2025)
BIO
James Naughton won the Theatre World Award for his performance in Long Day's Journey Into Night in 1971. He went on to star with Geneviève Bujold in Antigone which was later made into a film in 1974. He starred in the musical I Love My Wife in 1977 and in the drama Whose Life is it Anyway? opposite Mary Tyler Moore in 1980. He won his first Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1990 for City of Angels. In 1997 he won a second Tony Award with his portrayal of lawyer Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago. He created the lead role of Willy Brandt, Chancellor of West Germany, in the highly acclaimed drama Democracy in 2004. He has directed several plays in New York, including the 2002 revival of Thornton Wilder's Our Town, starring his close personal friend Paul Newman, which was filmed for cable TV in 2003. He also appears in cabarets in New York City, including Manhattan Theater Club and Caroline's Comedy Club.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Movies
[ 1973 ] Kevin Brooks
[ 1976 ] George
[ 1976 ] Roger
[ 1982 ] Steve Peterson
[ 1985 ] Hugh
[ 1987 ] Jim O Connor the gentleman caller
[ 1988 ] Brian Dunlop
[ 1996 ] Gil Griffin
[ 1996 ] New York - Texans
[ 1996 ] President Davenport
[ 1999 ] Clark Hannon
[ 2000 ] Dr. Senior
[ 2004 ] Patrick Doherty
[ 2006 ] Fuzzy Sedgwick
[ 2006 ] Stephen
[ 2007 ] Robert Eisenberg
[ 2008 ] Harvey
[ 2009 ] Executive
[ 2013 ] Mike Sheehy
[ 2016 ] John
[ 2018 ] Officer Sanders
TV Shows
George McBeal
Big's Brother
Lieutenant Monahan, Patrick Monahan
Steve Faraday
William van der Bilt
President Paul Kincaid
Charlie Moss
Larry Manassian
Det. Sully
Awards and Nominations
James Naughton, James Naughton: Street of Dreams
James Naughton, Chicago
James Naughton , Chicago
winner
James Naughton, Chicago
James Naughton, City of Angels
winner
James Naughton, City of Angels
winner
James Naughton, City of Angels
winner
Jame Naughton, Long Day's Journey Into Night
winner
James Naughton, Long Day's Journey Into Night
Videos
VIDEO: Charlotte D'Amboise Pays Tribute to Ann Reinking at CHICAGO 25th Anniversary Celebration
by A.A. Cristi - 2021-11-16 23:14:04
VIDEO: Original CHICAGO Stars Return for 25th Anniversary Celebration and Mayoral Proclamation
by A.A. Cristi - 2021-11-16 22:36:28
BWW Exclusive: Leading Ladies with Special Guest Maureen Hamill
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-11-23 16:34:57
Broadway Rewind: Have Fun, Fun, Fun in Rehearsals for GOOD VIBRATIONS in 2004!
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-03-21 10:01:00
TV Exclusive: Konversations with Keeme: Chatting with Chris Coogan
by Konversations with Keeme - 2019-11-06 11:36:16
Exclusive: Get A First Look At THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Goodspeed Musicals
by Alan Henry - 2018-04-19 14:40:32
VIDEO: Cast and Creative Talk THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES at Goodspeed
by Alan Henry - 2018-04-03 09:32:41
Video Flashback: Roxie Returns as CHICAGO Makes 1996 Debut at City Center Encores!
by A.A. Cristi - 2017-11-14 18:06:54
Legendary Actress Mary Tyler Moore Reportedly in 'Grave Condition'
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-01-25 13:48:04
TV: Original CHICAGO Stars Pose for 20th Anniversary Campaign!
by Nicole Rosky - 2016-03-23 10:54:14
STAGE TUBE: Donmar's CITY OF ANGELS Performs 'What You Don't Know About Women' at the Olivier Awards
by Anna Bencivengo - 2015-04-17 10:55:30
TV Special: Tony Winners Ann Reinking, Bebe Neuwirth, James Naughton and Joel Grey Light Up the Stage for CHICAGO's Record-Breaking 7,486 Performances
by Robert Diamond - 2014-11-25 08:21:39
TV: Watch Highlights from the New York Pops Gala- Rob McClure, Laura Osnes & More!
by Nicole Rosky - 2013-04-30 16:41:18
STAGE TUBE: ENCORES! Alumni Kelli O'Hara, Victoria Clark, Chuck Cooper and More Reminisce for 20th Anniversary
by Stage Tube - 2013-01-10 16:51:58
STAGE TUBE: Elaine Paige, Angela Lansbury on the American Theatre Wing
by Nicole Rosky - 2011-09-27 16:25:33
Broadway Beat's Priceless Spotlight - CHICAGO's 10th Anniversary Gala
by Eddie Varley - 2009-08-28 12:50:33
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 26, 2026
Theatre Aspen is now accepting submissions through Friday, April 10 for the organization’s seventh annual one-person show festival, Solo Flights. Solo Flights is an annual weeklong developmental festival of one-person shows.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026
Golden Globe winner Marsha Mason and Tony Award winner James Naughton will join previously announced Tony Award winner Judith Ivey in Westport Country Playhouse's Script in Hand playreading of 'The Pancake Club'.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2025
Theatre Aspen has revealed the two grant recipients from the 2025 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund. Learn more about the recipients and about the Fund here!
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 6, 2025
Will Chase, Ingrid Michaelson, James Naughton, and more are among the Broadway stars featured in titles at the 2025 Chain NYC Film Festival, happening this month.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 20, 2025
Dancers Over 40 began their fourth decade as an organization with a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of CHICAGO; past, present and future, honoring Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach and Ann Reinking, with original and revival cast members, hosted by Golden Globe nominee and former revival Roxie Hart, Marilu Henner. Check out photos from the show.
by Sharon Ellman - Jun 19, 2025
This reviewer was mesmerized by the 'razzle dazzle' of this sold-out June 18th performance! Members of the original casts of the 1975 CHICAGO and 1996 revival honored the show by sharing memories and tribute performances to the incredible show.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 18, 2025
Westport Country Playhouse will present “Pasek & Paul: Waving Through Westport,” a fundraising concert with Oscar, Grammy, Tony, Emmy, and Olivier award-winning songwriters and producers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 11, 2025
Dancers Over 40 will begin their fourth decade as an organization with a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of CHICAGO; past, present and future, honoring Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach and Ann Reinking.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 30, 2025
Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Tracie Thoms, Jenn Colella and more. See the full lineup here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025
54 BELOW will honor the LGBTQ+ performers, producers, and artists who are vital members of our artistic community this Pride Month. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 27, 2025
Dancers Over 40 will present a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of CHICAGO; past, present and future, honoring Bob Fosse, Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera, Jerry Orbach and Ann Reinking, with original and revival cast members, hosted by Golden Globe nominee and former revival Roxie Hart, Marilu Henner.
by Shari Barrett - Mar 4, 2025
All Roads Theatre Company’s (ARTCO’s) 2025 Season kicks off with the World Premiere musical One For My Baby, which features Broadway stars Lana Gordon and Luba Mason leading a cast of 28 performers, supported by a 12-piece Big Band. I decided to speak with ARTCO’s Fred Barton and Scott Thompson who wrote the musical’s book, with conductor Barton also creating the music arrangements and Thompson directing and choreographing the production.
by Joshua Wright - Jan 27, 2025
Theatre Aspen is now accepting submissions through Friday, April 11 for the organization's sixth annual one-person show festival, Solo Flights, to be held from September 2-9, 2025, at Theatre Aspen's Hurst Theatre.
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Nov 14, 2024
Si bien EL FANTASMA DE LA ÓPERA es el musical más longevo de la historia de Broadway y LOS MISERABLES lo es del West End, el puesto a la producción estadounidense más longeva de la historia de la Great White Way se lo lleva el revival de CHICAGO, que hoy cumple la friolera de 28 años ininterrumpidos en Broadway.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 22, 2024
Celebrate 20 years of the Breithaupt Brothers' songbook at Joe's Pub. Featuring performances by James Naughton, Catherine Russell, and more, this event showcases timeless tunes. Learn how to purchase tickets.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2024
Theatre Aspen has revealed two grant recipients of the 2024 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund. Learn more about the Fund and about the projects.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 15, 2024
THEATRE ASPEN has announced the lineup for its fifth annual SOLO FLIGHTS festival, featuring a diverse range of solo performances. The festival continues to celebrate and showcase individual storytelling talent.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 12, 2024
Broadway stars are often asked to support causes and to give of their talent to raise money. The Benefit for Sandy Hook Promise being held in Fairfield Connecticut was the brainchild of Dodie Petit, who performed on Broadway in Cats and Phantom of the Opera.
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 28, 2024
“The Best of Broadway,' a Benefit Performance for Sandy Hook Promise, hosted by Tony Award winner James Naughton and folk legend Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step will be held September 22, 2024 at 6:00 pm at SHU Community Theater in Fairfield, CT.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 16, 2024
Sara Bareilles will perform a special concert to benefit Williamstown Theatre Festival. The event also marks the return of WTF Cabaret, featuring various artists and hosts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
James Naughton has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.
James Naughton has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for James Naughton: Street of Dreams , Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Chicago, Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Chicago, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Chicago, Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for City of Angels, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for City of Angels, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for City of Angels, Vernon Rice Award (Drama Desk Awards) for Long Day's Journey Into Night and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Long Day's Journey Into Night.
James Naughton has won several prestigious awards throughout his career. He received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for both Chicago and City of Angels. Additionally, he won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for City of Angels, as well as the Vernon Rice Award from the Drama Desk Awards for Long Day's Journey Into Night. He also earned a Theatre World Award for his performance in Long Day's Journey Into Night.
Videos