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Sam Mendes

Birth Place: ENGLAND

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BIO

Sam Mendes founded and ran the Donmar Warehouse in London for ten years. He was the founding director of The Bridge Project and Neal Street Productions.



His work has been seen at the National Theatre, RSC, Royal Court, Old Vic, Young Vic, BAM, the West End and on Broadway. Films include American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead, Revolutionary Road, Away We Go, Skyfall, Spectre, and 1917.

Awards include Academy Award Best Director, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award Best Director, 2 Tony Awards, 5 Olivier Awards, the Olivier Special Award, 3 Evening Standard Awards, Empire Inspiration Award, Directors Guild of America Award and the Shakespeare Prize.
He has also won the Director's Guild Award for lifetime achievement. In addition to The Ferryman, his production of The Lehman Trilogy is currently running at the National Theatre in London.

Photos

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[West End, 2024]
Director
 
[West End, 2023]
Director
 
[West End, 2023]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2021]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[West End, 2018]
Director
 
[West End, 2017]
Director
 
[West End, 2017]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2016]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Director
 
[West End, 2013]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2006]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[New York, 1999]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1998]
Director
 
[West End, 1997]
Director
 
[West End, 1995]
Director
 
[West End, 1994]
Director
 
[West End, 1993]
Director
 
[West End, 1992]
Director

Movies

Little Voice
[ 1998 ] director
Road to Perdition
[ 2002 ] producer
Things We Lost in the Fire
[ 2007 ] producer
Revolutionary Road
[ 2008 ] producer
Shrek the Musical
[ 2013 ] producer
1917
[ 2019 ] writer
Empire of Light
[ 2022 ] producer
The End
[ 2024 ] executive producer

TV Shows

The Franchise
executive producer
Informant: Angst über der Stadt
producer

Awards and Nominations

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Play

Sam Mendes, The Hills of California

Tony Awards - 2025 - BEST DIRECTION OF A PLAY

Sam Mendes, The Hills of California

Drama League Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Direction of a Play

Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy


winner
Tony Awards - 2022 - Best Direction of a Play

Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Sam Mendes, The Ferryman


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2019 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Sam Mendes, The Ferryman


winner
Tony Awards - 2019 - Best Direction of a Play

Sam Mendes, The Ferryman


winner
Olivier Awards - 2018 - Best Director

Sam Mendes , The Ferryman

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Sam MendesRichard III

Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Musical Revival

Sam MendesLionel Bart’s Oliver!


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Director - Play

Sam Mendes, Uncle Vanya


winner
Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Director

Sam MendesTwelfth Night


winner
Olivier Awards - 2003 - Best Director

Sam MendesUncle Vanya


winner
Olivier Awards - 2003 - The Society's Special Award

Sam Mendes

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Director of a Musical

Sam Mendes, Gypsy


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Director - Play

Sam Mendes, Twelfth Night


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Director

Sam MendesUncle Vanya


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2002 - Best Director

Sam MendesTwelfth Night

Olivier Awards - 1999 - Best Director

Sam MendesThe Blue Room


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Sam Mendes, Cabaret

Drama Desk Awards - 1998 - Outstanding Director - Musical

Sam Mendes, Cabaret

Olivier Awards - 1998 - Best Director

Sam MendesOthello

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1998 - Best Director - Musical

Sam Mendes, Cabaret

Tony Awards - 1998 - Best Direction of a Musical

Sam Mendes, Cabaret


winner
Olivier Awards - 1996 - Best Director

Sam MendesCompany

Olivier Awards - 1995 - Best Director of a Musical

Sam Mendes, Oliver!

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Director of a Musical

Sam Mendes, Cabaret

Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Director of a Musical

Sam Mendes, Assassins

Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Director of a Play

Sam MendesThe Rise And Fall Of Little Voice

Videos

News


Two Weeks Left To Vote for the 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards
by BWW Awards - May 19, 2025

Show your support for shows like Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat, Death Becomes Her, BOOP! The Musical and more.
Who Are the Most Tony-Nominated People of All Time?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 18, 2025

This time, the reader question was: Who are the most Tony-nominated people of all time? Audra McDonald now holds the record for the most-nominated performer, but do you know who has the most ever?
Theatres To Dim Lights In Honour Of John Gale OBE
by A.A. Cristi - May 13, 2025

Following the sad news of the passing of much-loved impresario John Gale, West End theatres and Chichester Festival Theatre will dim their lights for 2 minutes at 7pm on Wednesday 14 May, in his memory. 
First Standings Announced for the 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards
by BWW Awards - May 12, 2025

The first standings have been released for BroadwayWorld's 22nd Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners- The Full List
by Stephi Wild - May 12, 2025

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the winners for the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2024-2025 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. Check out the full list here!
Which Shows Have Been Revived the Most in the 21st Century?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 11, 2025

Three of this season’s plays and two of this season’s musicals are already getting revived for the second or third time this century! Twenty-five years into the 21st century and Broadway has already seen multiple revivals of Glengarry Glen Ross, Our Town, Romeo and Juliet, Gypsy, and Sunset Boulevard. 
Jez Butterworth, Jack Thorne, & Peter Straughan to Write BEATLES 4-Part Film
by Josh Sharpe - May 7, 2025

Tony Award-winners Jez Butterworth and Jack Thorne, along with Academy Award-winner Peter Straughan, have been selected to write The Beatles- A Four Film Cinematic Event.
INTERVIEW: Hablamos con Abril Zamora, Amanda Digón y Pepe Nufrio sobre CABARET
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - May 5, 2025

El musical, protagonizado por Abril Zamora, Amanda Digón y Pepe Nufrio, se estrena el próximo 24 de septiembre.
2025 Tony Award Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - May 1, 2025

The 78th Annual Tony Awards nominations were announced by Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce and here they are... celebrating the best of the 2024-25 theatre season. Check out the full list of nominees here.
PHOTOS: Así fue la presentación de CABARET en el UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz
by Lorena Pastor Romero - Apr 29, 2025

A partir del 24 de septiembre, LetsGo, productora de EL FANTASMA DE LA ÓPERA, presentará en el UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz una versión inmersiva del musical CABARET, de Kander y Ebb.
BREAKING: Abril Zamora, Amanda Digón y Pepe Nufrio protagonizarán CABARET en el Albéniz
by Juan Cano - Apr 28, 2025

La productora LetsGo transformará el UMUSIC Hotel Madrid Teatro Albéniz en el legendario Kit Kat Klub a partir del 24 de septiembre.
2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 25, 2025

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the nominees for the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2024-2025 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. We have the full list of nominees here!
CABARET regresa a Madrid el próximo septiembre
by Jose German Martinez Paneque - Apr 22, 2025

El próximo mes de septiembre el Umusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz de Madrid se convertirá en el Kit Kat Klub​​​​​​​ para acoger el estreno de CABARET, una nueva producción inmersiva de mano de LETSGO.
Clubbed Thumb Announces Complete SUMMERWORKS Lineup
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 7, 2025

Tony Award-nominated and Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb will present the complete line-up for the 28th SUMMERWORKS festival of new plays.
Cast Set For THE CRUCIBLE at Shakespeare's Globe
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2025

Shakespeare’s Globe has announced the cast of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, directed by Ola Ince. The Crucible is the first modern classic to be staged at the Globe Theatre.
INSIDE OUT 2, THE BRUTALIST And More Win The Society of Composers and Lyricists Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 14, 2025

The Society of Composers and Lyricists has announced the winners of the 6th Annual SCL Awards held Feb.12 in Los Angeles. The event was hosted by GRAMMY-winning singer-songwriter Colin Hay.
Photos: ROAD SHOW In Rehearsal At freeFALL
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 3, 2025

See photos from inside rehearsal for Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s much-traveled musical Road Show, directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis. The show is the fifth Sondheim musical produced by the company.
Cast Set For FreeFall's Production of Sondheim and Weidman's ROAD SHOW
by Stephi Wild - Jan 23, 2025

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s much-traveled musical Road Show is directed by freeFall Artistic Director Eric Davis and is the fifth Sondheim musical produced by the company.
Cassie Bradley and Barney White Join ONE DAY WHEN WE WERE YOUNG at the Park Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jan 17, 2025

Cassie Bradley and Barney White have been announced as the cast of Nick Payne’s One Day When We Were Young, presented by Greenwich Theatre in association with Park Theatre. 
PRIMA FACIE, MACBETH, And More National Theatre Live Screenings Announced At Shakespeare Theatre Company
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 10, 2025

Shakespeare Theatre Company has announced National Theatre Live screenings coming to Harman Hall this February. Kicking off the month of screenings is The Donmar Warehouse production of Macbeth: David Tennant & Cush Jumbo.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Sam Mendes been nominated for?

Outstanding Direction of a Play (Drama League Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Ferryman, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Ferryman, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Ferryman, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for The Ferryman, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Richard III, Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Lionel Bart’s Oliver!, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya, The Society's Special Award (Olivier Awards), Outstanding Director of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Uncle Vanya, Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Twelfth Night, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for The Blue Room, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cabaret, Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cabaret, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Othello , Best Director - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cabaret , Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Cabaret, Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Company , Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Oliver!, Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Cabaret , Best Director of a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Assassins and Best Director of a Play (Olivier Awards) for The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice.

What awards has Sam Mendes won?

Sam Mendes has won several prestigious awards throughout his career, including: - Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lehman Trilogy - Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Ferryman - Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Ferryman - Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Ferryman - Best Director (Olivier Awards) for The Ferryman - Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Uncle Vanya - Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Twelfth Night - Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Uncle Vanya - The Society's Special Award (Olivier Awards) - Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Twelfth Night - Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Uncle Vanya - Best Director (Evening Standard Awards) for Twelfth Night - Outstanding Director - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cabaret - Best Director (Olivier Awards) for Company

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