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Jefferson Mays

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BIO

Jefferson Mays recently completed his one-man rendition of A Christmas Carol at the Geffen Playhouse for which he received rave reviews. He was nominated for a 2017 Tony Award for originating the role of Terje Rød-Larsen in the Tony Award-winning play Oslo. Mays was also Tony-nominated for his multi-character performance in the Tony Award–winning Broadway production of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, as well as his Tony Award–winning performance in I Am My Own Wife, where he played over 40 different roles. He also recently starred as George Hodel in the TNT miniseries I Am the Night, directed by Patty Jenkins, and recently had a featured role in the Coen Brothers anthology series The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Jefferson’s television credits include recurring arcs on FX’s The Americans; Cinemax’s The Knick, directed by Steven Soderbergh; NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; as well as a guest role in the Netflix hit Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2022
Performer


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Mayor Shinn


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2017
Terje Rod-Larsen


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2016
Bensinger


[Off-Broadway]
Lincoln Center Theater Original Production, 2016
Performer


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2013
D'Ysquith Family


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2012
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
Lincoln Center Production, 2011
British Secret Service


[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2007
Henry Higgins


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2007
Private Mason


[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2006
Alexander Throttlebottom


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2003
Charlotte von Mahlsdorf


[Off-Broadway]
2003
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
2000
Jeremiah Grady


[Off-Broadway]
1998
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
1995
Abbe de Coulmier


[Off-Broadway]
1994
Mokie


Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jefferson Mays, A Christmas Carol

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Jefferson Mays, A Christmas Carol

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jefferson Mays, Oslo


winner
Obie Awards - 2017 - Ensemble

Jefferson MaysOslo

Tony Awards - 2017 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Jefferson Mays, Oslo


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actor in a Musical

Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Jefferson Mays, Blood and Gifts

Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Jefferson Mays, Blood and Gifts

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Jefferson Mays, Blood and Gifts

The Lortels - 2012 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Jefferson Mays, Blood and Gifts


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2006 - Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

Jefferson MaysI Am My Own Wife


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2004 - Best Leading Actor in a Play

Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife


winner
Obie Awards - 2004 - Performance

Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2004 - Performance

Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife


winner
Tony Awards - 2004 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Jefferson Mays, I Am My Own Wife


winner
Obie Awards - 1994 - Performance

Jefferson MaysOrestes

Videos

News


Yeston and Kopit's PHANTOM to be Presented at The Gateway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 16, 2025

Experience Yeston and Kopit’s opulent PHANTOM, on stage at The Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, NY in August. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets!
Review: A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER Packs Laughs Tight at Theatre Factory
by Greg Kerestan - Jul 16, 2025

Stripped-down production values but a game cast make the Pythonesque musical fly. There used to be a blog called 'Low Budget Beasts,' which eventually evolved to 'Low Budget Shreks.' Like the title implies, it was a site full of photos mocking community and small professional theatres for staging productions of tech-heavy musicals without the money and supplies to do them right.
Review: NOISES OFF is Comedic Theatrical Mayhem at The Old Globe
by ErinMarie Reiter - Jul 14, 2025

“Noises Off”, playing at The Old Globe through August 10, is a gloriously chaotic revival directed by Gordon Greenberg, an affectionate, expertly timed, and utterly ridiculous homage to the disaster-prone world of live theatre.
Exclusive: First Look at Jefferson Mays & More in NOISES OFF at The Old Globe
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 11, 2025

Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays returns to its stage this summer to lead the cast of Michael Frayn’s side-splitting backstage farce Noises Off at The Old Globe in San Diego. BroadwayWorld is very excited to bring you an exclusive first look at the cast in action! Check out photos here.
NOISES OFF Extends for One Week at The Old Globe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 10, 2025

The Old Globe has revealed that Michael Frayn’s Olivier Award-winning play, Noises Off, has been extended for one week due. Learn more and see how purchase tickets.
​​​​​​Tony-Winner Jefferson Mays to Lead NOISES OFF at The Old Globe This Summer
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 11, 2025

Tony Award winner Jefferson Mays will return to its stage this summer to lead the cast of Michael Frayn’s side-splitting backstage farce Noises Off at The Old Globe in San Diego.
Review: MURDER FOR TWO at STAGES St. Louis is Murder Most Fun!
by James Lindhorst - Jun 5, 2025

STAGES St. Louis has a hit with their zany Muder for Two. Director Michael Kostroff keeps the fun coming for the entire 90-minutes in a fast-paced audience pleasing comedy. The script is goofy and the lyrics witty, but it is the comedic physicality of two immensely talented actors, singers, pianists, and entertainers who fearlessly earn every laugh. Ian Fairlee and Jeremiah Ginn make a sharp comedic duo who mine plenty of giggles, chortles, guffaws, and thigh-slapping laughter. 
Theatre for a New Audience Appoints Arin Arbus as Artistic Director
by Stephi Wild - Apr 30, 2025

Theatre for a New Audience has announced that OBIE Award-winning director Arin Arbus will be its next Artistic Director when Founding Artistic Director Jeffrey Horowitz steps down on August 31, 2025.
Video: Michael Arden Shares His Broadway Firsts
by Joey Mervis - Apr 19, 2025

What are some of the milestone moments that have most impacted our favorite Broadway performers? Michael Arden is sharing his Broadway Firsts in this video!
How To Find A Voice Teacher in New York City
by Josh Lamon - Jan 23, 2025

So you want to be the best professional singer in the world. Fabulous and good for you! I can't promise that this article will achieve that goal, but I hope to help you out as best as I can in finding the right fit for your vocal lessons.
Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY TOLD BY JEFFERSON MAYS at The Old Globe
by ErinMarie Reiter - Dec 16, 2024

The Old Globe Theatre offers a delightful holiday gift with “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story Told by Jefferson Mays” a solo show that is a masterclass in storytelling.  Playing only through December 22nd, make this show a part of your holiday present before it becomes a regret of your holiday past.
Christmas Films Adapted For the Stage
by Stephi Wild - Dec 1, 2024

Whether you're into a more serious story like It's a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Carol, or something more silly and fun like Elf or How the Grinch Stole Christmas, there is a Christmas movie-turned-musical for everyone who celebrates!
Interview: Jefferson Mays of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY at The Old Globe
by ErinMarie Reiter - Nov 23, 2024

Interview with Jefferson Mays about his one-man show “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story' playing for a limited run at The Old Globe from December 12 - 22nd.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 20, 2024
by - Nov 20, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 20, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Jefferson Mays' One-Man A CHRISTMAS CAROL is Now Available to Stream Online
by Stephi Wild - Nov 19, 2024

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, featuring Jefferson Mays playing over 50 roles, is now available to stream online. Learn more about where you can watch this production here!
Theatre For A New Audience Founder Jeffrey Horowitz To Retire
by Stephi Wild - Sep 4, 2024

Jeffrey Horowitz, Founder of Theatre for a New Audience, having led and grown the not-for-profit organization since 1979, will retire on August 31, 2025, at the end of TFANA's just-announced season of Shakespeare alongside plays by classical and contemporary playwrights.
Prospect Musicals Will Honor Michael Arden, Baayork Lee, and Kendall Crolius at 25th Annual Gala
by Stephi Wild - Aug 14, 2024

Prospect Musicals has announced their 25th Anniversary Gala, which will honor three members of the theatre community with the third annual Muse Awards. Learn more about the gala here!
Jefferson Mays' A CHRISTMAS CAROL to be Presented at The Old Globe
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 13, 2024

The Old Globe will present Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story, Told by Jefferson Mays. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Darren Criss and Helen J Shen Will Lead MAYBE HAPPY ENDING on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - May 14, 2024

Darren Criss will return to the stage alongside Helen J Shen in the Broadway premiere of the new romantic musical comedy Maybe Happy Ending with music by Will Aronson, lyrics by Hue Park and book by both Aronson and Park. We have all of the details!
From La Jolla Playhouse to Broadway - A Brief History
by Sidney Paterra - Mar 24, 2024

Learn more about some of the Broadway productions that you may not have realized began their journey at La Jolla Playhouse! 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Jefferson Mays been in?

Jefferson Mays has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

How many West End shows has Jefferson Mays been in?

Jefferson Mays has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Jefferson Mays been nominated for?

Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for A Christmas Carol, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Christmas Carol, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Oslo, Ensemble (Obie Awards) for Oslo, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Oslo, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Blood and Gifts , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Blood and Gifts , Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Blood and Gifts, Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for Blood and Gifts, Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for I Am My Own Wife, Best Leading Actor in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for I Am My Own Wife, Performance (Obie Awards) for I Am My Own Wife, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for I Am My Own Wife, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for I Am My Own Wife, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for I Am My Own Wife, Outstanding Solo Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for I Am My Own Wife and Performance (Obie Awards) for Orestes.

What awards has Jefferson Mays won?

Jefferson Mays has received numerous awards for his outstanding performances. He won the Obie Award for Ensemble for Oslo. He earned the Outstanding Actor in a Musical award at both the Drama Desk Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder. For I Am My Own Wife, he received the Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production award from the Helen Hayes Awards, Best Leading Actor in a Play from the BroadwayWorld Awards, and a Performance award from the Obie Awards. Additionally, he won Outstanding Solo Performance at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and the Drama Desk Awards for the same role. He was honored with a Performance Award from the Theatre World Awards and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for I Am My Own Wife. Jefferson Mays also received an Obie Award for Performance in Orestes.

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