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Len Cariou

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Len Cariou BIO

Cariou made his first appearance in Damn Yankees at Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg in 1959, and was a founding member of the Manitoba Theatre Centre.

Cariou also became a lead actor at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis in the 1960s, where he played Orlando in As You Like It; Agamemnon in Tyrone Guthrie's compilation of The House of Atreus; Iago; Oberon; and the title roles in Henry V, Oedipus the King, and King Lear. He also was an associate director.

In 1968, Cariou made his Broadway debut in The House of Atreus. Two years later, Cariou landed his first starring role opposite Lauren Bacall in Applause, a musical adaptation of the film All About Eve. It earned him a Tony Award nomination as Best Actor in a Musical and won him the Theatre World Award. In 1973, he received his second Tony nomination for A Little Night Music; he reprised the role of Fredrik for the 1977 film version opposite Elizabeth Taylor. Six years later he won both the Tony and Drama Desk Award for his portrayal of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in the Stephen Sondheim musical opposite Angela Lansbury. During these years, Cariou also appeared in a number of benefits, including A Christmas Carol for the Riverside Shakespeare Company in New York, playing Scrooge, with Helen Hayes, Raul Julia, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, directed by W. Stuart McDowell at the Symphony Space in 1985. His next projects included the Alan Jay Lerner–Charles Strouse musical Dance a Little Closer (1983), Arthur Miller's sole musical, Up from Paradise (1983), Teddy & Alice (1987), and Ziegfeld (1988). Cariou also appeared on Broadway in Night Watch, Cold Storage, The Speed of Darkness, Neil Simon's The Dinner Party (with Henry Winkler and John Ritter) and Proof (with Anne Heche and Neil Patrick Harris). He directed Don't Call Back on Broadway as well. His off-Broadway appearances include Master Class, Papa (an Ernest Hemingway one-man show) and Mountain (Justice William O. Douglas). He appeared as Cap'n Andy in the Broadway national tour of Show Boat opposite Cloris Leachman.

Len Cariou Photos

Len Cariou STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
New York City Center Off-Broadway Premiere, 2019
Harry Townsend

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Production, 2016
Performer

[Regional (US)]
Reprise! Concert, 2004
Other Roles

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Darius

[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2003
Performer

[Broadway]
Actors' Fund Concert, 2002
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2000
Robert [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Andre Bouville

[London Fringe]
London Concert, 2000
Sweeney Todd

[San Diego, CA (Regional)]
World Premiere, 1998
Gen. St. Pe

[Broadway]
Angela Lansbury Tribute Benefit, 1996
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Ernest Hemingway

[Broadway]
1991
Joe

[Off-Broadway]
1990
William O. Douglass

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Vincentio

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt

[Off-Broadway]
1986
Stalin

[Off-Broadway]
1983
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Harry Aikens

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Sweeney Todd

[Broadway]
1977
Richard Landau

[Off-Broadway]
1977
The Writer

[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1973
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1973
Frederik Egerman

[Broadway]
1972
John Wheeler

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1970
Bill Sampson

[Broadway]
1969
King Henry V

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1983
God

[New York]
New York Concert, 1981
God

Len Cariou Productions

 
[Broadway, 1975]
Director

Writing


Len Cariou 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

Len Cariou 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

Len Cariou Awards and Nominations

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

Len Cariou Videos

Len Cariou News


Video: Watch Arielle Jacobs Perform 'Why God Why?' at BROADWAY BACKWARDS


Watch Arielle Jacobs' performance of 'Why God Why?' at Broadway Backwards!

Liz Callaway, Hugh Panaro & More to Join Amas Musical Theatre Benefit Concert


Amas Musical Theatre has revealed the line-up of talent that will be on hand to celebrate the company's 55th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert. Learn more about the gala and see how to purchase tickets.

Video: Watch Len Cariou & Chip Zien Perform 'It Couldn't Please Me More' at BROADWAY BACKWARDS


Watch Len Cariou and Chip Zien perform 'It Couldn't Please Me More' at Broadway Backwards!

Len Cariou in TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Extends at Sea Dog Theater


The award-winning Sea Dog Theater has announced a three-week extension, April 1 - 20, 2024, for Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie, by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book by Mitch Albom.

Sea Dog Theater's TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Starring Len Cariou & Chris Domig Extends


Sea Dog Theater will present a three-week extension for Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, by Jeffrey Hatcher and Albom, based on the book by Albom. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Donna Lynne Champlin & More to Star in SWEENEY TODD at Virginia Arts Festival


Virginia Arts Festival will present Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical Sweeney Todd in an orchestral performance. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: Alex Newell, Shoshana Bean, and More Perform at BROADWAY BACKWARDS


Tony Award winners, Broadway legends and newcomers alike spectacularly shared LGBTQ+ stories through show tunes at Broadway Backwards at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre on March 11, 2024. Check out photos from the event here!

Setlist Revealed for BROADWAY BACKWARDS Featuring Shoshana Bean, Tituss Burgess & More


The setlist has been revealed for Broadway Backwards! See who is performing.

Sea Dog Theater's TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Opens Tonight


Sea Dog Theater's production of Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, opens tonight! See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Limited Tickets Remain for BROADWAY BACKWARDS Hosted by Jenn Colella


Only a few seats remain for Broadway Backwards, the star-studded annual evening of reimagined show tunes that share LGBTQ+ love stories. Learn how to purchase tickets.

Dancers Over 40 Brings a Roast of Lee Roy Reams to 54 Below


Dancers Over 40 will celebrate its 30th anniversary as an organization with its first ever – and 54 Below’s first ever roast. The event will focus on Mr. Broadway himself, DO40 member and former board member Lee Roy Reams! 

Sea Dog Theater's TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE Begins Tonight


The award-winning Sea Dog Theater's production of Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book by Mitch Albom, begins performances tonight! Learn how to purchase tickets.

Julie Benko, Norbert Leo Butz, Joshua Henry and More Set For BROADWAY BACKWARDS


Stars of Broadway and beyond have joined the lineup for this year's Broadway Backwards. Learn more about who is joining the event, set for March 11!

Amas Musical Theatre To Honor Patricia Birch And Len Cariou At 55th Annual Benefit Gala Concert


Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 55th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit Concert on Monday, May 13, 2024 at Baruch Performing Arts Center.

Len Cariou & Peter Filichia To Be Honored at 78th Annual Theatre World Awards


The Theatre World Awards Board of Directors has announced two of the individuals to be honored at 78th Annual Theatre World Awards to be held on Monday evening, June 10, 2024 beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Q. Smith, Eric Jordan Young, Sally Shaw, & Dexter Conlin Star In SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT - THE MUSIC OF MICHAEL VALENTI At 54 Below


Join Q. Smith, Eric Jordan Young, Sally Shaw, and Dexter Conlin for an unforgettable night of music in 'Something to Sing About: The Music of Michael Valenti' at 54 Below on Thursday, February 29th.

How Often Are American Presidents Depicted on Stage?


This time, the reader question was: Oh, Mary! currently has so much buzz off-Broadway. What is the history of American presidents being depicted on stage?

Tony Winners Len Cariou, Judy Kaye & Penny Fuller to Join COMEDY TONIGHT! A ROAST OF LEE ROY REAMS


To celebrate their thirtieth anniversary Dancers Over 40 will commemorate this milestone with COMEDY TONIGHT: A ROAST OF LEE ROY REAMS on Monday, April 1st, 2024 at 7:00pm at 54 Below.

Len Cariou to Star in TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Sea Dog Theater


The award-winning Sea Dog Theater will present Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie, by Jeffrey Hatcher and Mitch Albom, based on the book by Mitch Albom, directed by Erwin Maas. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Stars in the House Will Stream First-Ever BROADWAY SITZPROBE EXPERIENCE With Songs From GUYS AND DOLLS


The first-ever BROADWAY SITZPROBE EXPERIENCE will be livestreamed Monday, January 29th at 6:00pm ET, featuring music from Guys and Dolls. Learn more about the upcoming event here!

Len Cariou 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?

Len Cariou has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for "Harry Townsend's Last Stand," Outstanding Lead Actor at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Copenhagen," Outstanding Supporting Performer at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Dinner Party," Best Actor - Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Speed of Darkness," Outstanding Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Sweeney Todd," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for both "Sweeney Todd" and "A Little Night Music," Performance awards at the Theatre World Awards for "Henry V" and "Applause," and another Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical nomination at the Tony Awards for "Applause."

What awards has Len Cariou won?

Len Cariou has won the Outstanding Actor - Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for his role in Sweeney Todd. He also received 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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