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Len Cariou

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BIO

Len Cariou made his stage debut in Damn Yankees at Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg in 1959 and was a founding member of the Manitoba Theatre Centre. He trained and performed at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the 1960s and returned in 1981 in leading roles including Prospero, Coriolanus, Brutus, and Petruchio. During the 1960s, he was a leading actor and associate director at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, appearing in productions such as As You Like It, The House of Atreus, Henry V, Oedipus the King, and King Lear.



Cariou made his Broadway debut in The House of Atreus (1968) and starred opposite Lauren Bacall in Applause (1970), earning a Tony Award nomination and the Theatre World Award. He received a second Tony nomination for A Little Night Music (1973) and reprised his role in the film adaptation (1977). He won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards for originating the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979).

His film credits include One Man (1977), The Four Seasons (1981), Thirteen Days (2000), About Schmidt (2002), Secret Window (2004), Boynton Beach Club (2005), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), 1408 (2007), The Onion Movie (2008), Into the Storm (2009), Spotlight (2015), and Death Wish (2018).

Cariou appeared frequently on Broadway in productions including Dance a Little Closer (1983), Up from Paradise (1983), Teddy & Alice (1987), Ziegfeld (1988), Night Watch, Cold Storage, The Speed of Darkness, The Dinner Party, and Proof. His Off-Broadway work includes Master Class, Papa, and Mountain. He appeared in regional productions across North America, including Macbeth, King Lear, Frost/Nixon, and All My Sons (2009).

His television credits include recurring roles on Murder, She Wrote (1985–1992), Brotherhood (2006–2007), Damages (2010), and Blue Bloods (2010–2025), as well as appearances on The West Wing, Law & Order, The Practice, The Outer Limits, North of 60 (1993), Star Trek: Voyager (1997), and Wallander: The Troubled Man (2013). He earned an Emmy nomination for his performance in the HBO film Into the Storm (2009).

Cariou narrated Major League Baseball World Series films from 1992 to 1997, narrated The Johnstown Flood (1989), and recorded numerous audiobooks.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Zagłada
[Off-Broadway]
2025
Jerzy Kozlowski
Harry Townsend's Last Stand Harry Townsend's Last Stand
[Off-Broadway]
New York City Center Off-Broadway Premiere, 2019
Harry Townsend
Broadway and the Bard Broadway and the Bard
[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Production, 2016
Performer
Kismet
[Regional (US)]
Reprise! Concert, 2004
Other Roles
The Persians
[Off-Broadway]
2003
Darius
No Strings
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2003
Performer
Funny Girl
[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.
Proof
[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2000
Robert [Replacement]
[Replacement]
The Dinner Party
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Andre Bouville
Sweeney Todd
[London Fringe]
London Concert, 2000
Sweeney Todd
Paramour
[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 1998
Gen. St. Pe
Angela Lansbury - A Celebration
[Broadway]
Angela Lansbury Tribute Benefit, 1996
Performer
Papa
[Off-Broadway]
1996
Ernest Hemingway
The Speed of Darkness
[Broadway]
1991
Joe
Mountain
[Off-Broadway]
1990
William O. Douglass
Measure for Measure
[Off-Broadway]
1989
Vincentio
Teddy & Alice
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt
Master Class
[Off-Broadway]
1986
Stalin
Up from Paradise
[Off-Broadway]
1983
Performer
Dance a Little Closer
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Harry Aikens
Sweeney Todd
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Sweeney Todd
Cold Storage
[Broadway]
1977
Richard Landau
A Sorrow Beyond Dreams
[Off-Broadway]
1977
The Writer
Sondheim: A Musical Tribute
[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1973
Performer
A Little Night Music
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1973
Frederik Egerman
Night Watch
[Broadway]
1972
John Wheeler
Applause
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1970
Bill Sampson
King Henry V
[Broadway]
1969
King Henry V
Up From Paradise
[New York]
New York Concert, 1981
God
Up From Paradise
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1983
Up From Paradise
[New York]
New York Concert, 1981

Productions

Don't Call Back
 
[Broadway, 1975]
Director

Writing

Movies

A Little Night Music
[ 1977 ] Frederick Egerman
Drying Up the Streets
[ 1978 ] Larry
The Four Seasons
[ 1981 ] Nick Callan
Lady in White
[ 1988 ] Phil Terragrossa
Getting In
[ 1994 ] Dr. Lionel Higgs, Dr. Ezekial Higgs
Never Talk to Strangers
[ 1995 ] Henry Taylor
Executive Decision
[ 1996 ] Secretary of Defense Charles White
Thirteen Days
[ 2000 ] Dean Acheson
About Schmidt
[ 2002 ] Ray Nichols
Secret Window
[ 2004 ] Sheriff Dave Newsome
Boynton Beach Club
[ 2005 ] Jack
The Greatest Game Ever Played
[ 2005 ] Stedman Comstock
Flags of Our Fathers
[ 2006 ] Mr. Beech
1408
[ 2007 ] Mike's Father
The Onion Movie
[ 2008 ] Norm Archer
Prisoners
[ 2013 ] Father Patrick Dunn
Spotlight
[ 2015 ] Cardinal Law
Death Wish
[ 2018 ] Ben
Bumblebee
[ 2018 ] Uncle Hank

TV Shows

Blue Bloods
Henry Reagan
Brotherhood
Judd Fitzgerald
Law & Order
Edgar Beezley, Mac Geller, Captain Allard Bunker
Murder, She Wrote
Michael Hagarty, Monsignore O'Shaugnessy
The Outer Limits
Doc Wells, Father Anton Jonascu
Blue Bloods
[ 2010-2024 ] Henry Reagan

Awards and Nominations


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2024 - John Willis Awards for Lifetime Achievement

Len Cariou

Drama League Awards - 2020 - Distinguished Performance Award

Len Cariou, Harry Townsend's Last Stand

Helen Hayes Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

Len CariouCopenhagen

Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production

Len CariouDinner Party

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1991 - Best Actor - Play

Len Cariou , Speed of Darkness


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Len Cariou, Sweeney Todd

Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Len Cariou, Sweeney Todd

Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Len Cariou , A Little Night Music


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1970 - Performance

Len CariouHenry V


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1970 - Performance

Len Cariou, Applause

Tony Awards - 1970 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Len Cariou, Applause

Videos

More Videos

News


Review: AN EVENING WITH LEN CARIOU at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Valuable and Unforg Photo
Review: AN EVENING WITH LEN CARIOU at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Valuable and Unforgettable
by Stephen Mosher - Dec 18, 2025

This is one of the reasons we choose to be New Yorkers.
Cabaret Roundup: December 15-21- Len Cariou, Megan Hilty, Jessica Vosk & More Photo
Cabaret Roundup: December 15-21- Len Cariou, Megan Hilty, Jessica Vosk & More
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 15, 2025

Here are a few top picks to consider in NYC this week including the Bridges of Madison County original Broadway cast reunion, Jessica Vosk's annual holiday show SLEIGH, and more.
Photos: Marilyn Maye 'Tribute to Johnny Carson's 100th Birthday' at 54 Below Photo
Photos: Marilyn Maye 'Tribute to Johnny Carson's 100th Birthday' at 54 Below
by Kevin Alvey - Nov 27, 2025

Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Opera In The Heights! Photo
Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Opera In The Heights!
by Armando Urdiales - Nov 22, 2025

Tenuous scene changes, promising performances, and Stephen Sondheim's dazzling score are hallmarks of Opera in the Heights' season-opening production of A Little Night Music. While there are some areas for improvement in this evening's performance, this production is a music lover's dream, offering the chance to witness this score delivered with a truly classical voice. 
AN EVENING WITH LEN CARIOU is Coming to The Laurie Beechman Theatre Photo
AN EVENING WITH LEN CARIOU is Coming to The Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 17, 2025

An Evening With Len Cariou is coming to The Laurie Beechman Theatre. Len Cariou is well known and beloved for his indelible performances in musicals and plays on and off Broadway, in classical theater, and in other media.
Review: New York Pops' STAGE TO SCREEN Showcases Musical Memories at Carnegie Hall Photo
Review: New York Pops' STAGE TO SCREEN Showcases Musical Memories at Carnegie Hall
by Sharon Ellman - Oct 26, 2025

On October 24, STAGE TO SCREEN brought the music of the silver screen to life. What an amazing evening featuring the enchanting showtunes that we all know and love!
Antonio Banderas protagonizará y dirigirá SWEENEY TODD en el Soho Photo
Antonio Banderas protagonizará y dirigirá SWEENEY TODD en el Soho
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Oct 25, 2025

Según informa el Diario SUR, en la presentación de la temporada de GODSPELL del pasado 24 de octubre, Antonio Banderas anunció que ya trabaja en su próximo proyecto para el Teatro del Soho Caixabank de Málaga, una nueva producción de SWEENEY TODD.
Photos: Len Cariou Shines in Rehearsals for ZAGŁADA Photo
Photos: Len Cariou Shines in Rehearsals for ZAGŁADA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 13, 2025

Len Cariou stars in Richard Vetere's ZAGŁADA. Get a first look at rehearsal photos for this gripping psychological crime thriller!
25 Theater Books for Your Fall 2025 Reading List Photo
25 Theater Books for Your Fall 2025 Reading List
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 12, 2025

We're falling into fall with a great Broadway read! This season, Broadway's best have put pen to paper to turn out theatre page-turners of every kind. From theatre biographies to theatre fiction; theatre books for kids to theatre history; check out our collection of 25 new Broadway books for every theatre lover's Fall 2025 reading list.
Cast and Team Set For AWAKE AND SING! at Sea Dog Theater Photo
Cast and Team Set For AWAKE AND SING! at Sea Dog Theater
by Stephi Wild - Sep 17, 2025

Following its award-winning 2024 production of Tuesdays with Morrie starring Len Cariou, Sea Dog Theater will present a 90th anniversary revival of Awake and Sing!
Len Cariou To Star In Richard Vetere’s ZAGŁADA At The American Theatre Of Actors Photo
Len Cariou To Star In Richard Vetere’s ZAGŁADA At The American Theatre Of Actors
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 10, 2025

Tony Award winner Len Cariou will lead the cast of Richard Vetere’s new drama Zagłada, directed by Maja Wampuszyc, running October 16 through November 2, 2025 at the American Theatre of Actors (314 W. 54th Street, NYC).
Photos: STROKE OF GENIUS: HIRSCHFELD AT THE ALGONQUIN Opens in the Oak Room Photo
Photos: STROKE OF GENIUS: HIRSCHFELD AT THE ALGONQUIN Opens in the Oak Room
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Sep 9, 2025

“Strokes of Genius: Hirschfeld at the Algonquin” will be on exhibition in the hotel’s legendary Oak Room, September 9 – 20, daily from noon – 7PM. BroadwayWorld got a preview of the exhibit and you can check out photos here!
Feature: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Westport Country Playhouse Photo
Feature: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Westport Country Playhouse
by Sherry Shameer Cohen - Aug 27, 2025

As if wasn’t enough to for the Westport Country Playhouse to have a unique history, charm, and an ability to draw incredible talent to its stage (and backstage) and loyal audiences for 94 years, the gods of theater blessed it with Mark Shanahan as its artistic director.
Westport Country Playhouse Begins Season with MITCH ALBOM'S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Photo
Westport Country Playhouse Begins Season with MITCH ALBOM'S TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE
by Emmy Rice - Aug 23, 2025

Westport Country Playhouse will kick off its 2025-26 Season with Len Cariou and Christopher J. Domig in “Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie,” by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book by Mitch Albom, September 4 – 6.
Len Cariou Leads NY Premiere of Richard Vetere’s ZAGALDA At American Theatre of Photo
Len Cariou Leads NY Premiere of Richard Vetere’s ZAGALDA At American Theatre of Actors
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 28, 2025

Tony Award winner and Broadway legend Len Cariou will star in the New York premiere of Richard Vetere’s new play ZAGŁADA, a suspenseful wartime drama set for a limited engagement October 16–November 2 at the American Theatre of Actors.
Len Cariou to Star In Premiere Of Richard Vetere's ZAGŁADA Photo
Len Cariou to Star In Premiere Of Richard Vetere's ZAGŁADA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 28, 2025

Len Cariou will star in the New York premiere of Richard Vetere's ZAGŁADA at the American Theatre of Actors. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Laura & Linda Benanti and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week Photo
Laura & Linda Benanti and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 11, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Laura and Linda Benanti, and more! See the full lineup here!
Lee Roy Reams and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week Photo
Lee Roy Reams and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 3, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Lee Roy Reams and more. See the full lineup here!
Interview: BACKSTAGE BABBLE LIVE Brings Song & Never-Told Stories to 54 Below Photo
Interview: BACKSTAGE BABBLE LIVE Brings Song & Never-Told Stories to 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Jul 2, 2025

We spoke with Charles Kirsch, host of the theater podcast Backstage Babble, about the 7/7 show, featuring Broadway luminaries Len Cariou (SWEENEY TODD), Annie Golden (XANADU) and more reprising songs they originated and sharing stories.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Len Cariou been in?

Len Cariou has appeared on Broadway in 14 shows.

How many West End shows has Len Cariou been in?

Len Cariou has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Len Cariou been nominated for?

John Willis Awards for Lifetime Achievement (Theatre World Awards) for , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Harry Townsend's Last Stand, Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Copenhagen , Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Dinner Party, Best Actor - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Speed of Darkness, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for A Little Night Music, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Henry V, Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Applause and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Applause.

What awards has Len Cariou won?

Len Cariou has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. He won the John Willis Awards for Lifetime Achievement from the Theatre World Awards. He also received the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his performance in Sweeney Todd. Additionally, he earned Theatre World Awards for his performances in Henry V and Applause.

How many shows has Len Cariou written?

Len Cariou has written 1 shows including Broadway and the Bard (Conceived by).

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