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Brandon J. Dirden

Brandon starred on Broadway as Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Tony Award-winning production of All the Way, with Bryan Cranston, and as Booster in the Tony Award-winning revival of August Wilson's Jitney.

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BIO

Brandon starred on Broadway as Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Tony Award-winning production of All the Way, with Bryan Cranston, and as Booster in the Tony Award-winning revival of August Wilson's Jitney. Additional Broadway credits include Clybourne Park, Enron, and Prelude to a Kiss. Off-Broadway, he has appeared in The Piano Lesson, for which he won Obie, Theatre World, and AUDELCO awards; The First Breeze of Summer and Day of Absence at Signature Theatre; Detroit ’67 at the Public Theater and Classical Theatre of Harlem; Peter and the Starcatcher at New York Theatre Workshop and as ‘Brutus’ in TFANA’s production of Juilius Caesar. On screen, he has appeared in “The Good Wife,” “For Life,” “The Big C,” “Public Morals,” “Manifest,” “The Get Down,” “The Accidental Wolf,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Quad,” and four seasons of FX’s “The Americans” as Agent Dennis Aderholt. He is currently shooting the upcoming ABC series “For Life” and recently completed work on the FX miniseries, “Mrs. America.” He has directed numerous plays by Dominique Morriseau and August Wilson. Brandon is a frequent volunteer at the 52nd Street Project and a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and Fair Wage On Stage.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2025
Pozzo
[Broadway]
Broadway Return Engagement, 2022
Davey Battle
[Broadway]
Second Stage Broadway Revival Production, 2022
Davey Battle
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Martin Luther King, Jr.
[Off-Broadway]
Signature Theatre Company, 2012
Boy Willie
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Security Guard

Additional Credits

Broadway: Skeleton Crew (Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Antonyo nominations), Jitney, All the Way, Clybourne Park, Enron, Prelude to a Kiss.



Off-Broadway: The Piano Lesson (Obie, Theatre World, AUDELCO awards), The First Breeze of Summer, Day of Absence, Detroit ’67, Peter and the Starcatcher, TFANA’s Julius Caesar.



TV: “For Life,” “Evil,” “Public Morals,” “Manifest,” “The Get Down,” “The Accidental Wolf,” “The Quad,” “Mrs. America,” “The Americans.”


Six Degrees of Broadway Beta

See how many degrees separate Brandon J. Dirden from another Broadway star or creative.

Brandon J. Dirden

Brandon J. Dirden


TV Shows

The Americans
Dennis Aderholt
The Get Down
Leon
The Justice
[ 2024 ] President

Awards and Nominations

Tony Awards - 2026 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Brandon J. Dirden, Waiting for Godot

Drama Desk Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Actor in a Play

Brandon J. Dirden, Skeleton Crew

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2022 - Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Brandon J. Dirden, Skeleton Crew

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson


winner
Obie Awards - 2013 - Performance

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson

The Lortels - 2013 - Outstanding Lead Actor

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson


winner
Theatre World Awards - 2013 - Theatre World Award

Brandon J. Dirden, The Piano Lesson

Videos

News

Photos: Bill Irwin, Rachel Bloom and More in THE IMAGINARY INVALID on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 9, 2026

You can now get a first look at the Broadway production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin with direction by Brandon J. Dirden making his Broadway directorial debut.
André De Shields, Jasmine Cephas Jones and More to be Honored by AAFCA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2026

The African American Film Critics Association will present its fifth annual AAFCA Goes to Broadway Luncheon, recognizing Broadway artists and cultural leaders including André De Shields, Jasmine Cephas Jones and more.
Character Breakdown: The Cast of THE IMAGINARY INVALID Unpacks Their Roles
by Sam Anctil - Oct 11, 2026

Performances are officially underway at the Todd Haimes Theatre for Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Moliere's The Imaginary Invalid. Watch in this video as the cast unpacks their roles.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 26, 2026
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 26, 2026

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 24, 2026- First Look at Alaska Thunderf*ck in the OH, MARY! on Tour and More
by - Sep 24, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 24, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Bill Irwin & Brandon J. Dirden Are Finding the Heart, Hilarity, and 'Radical Joy' of THE IMAGINARY INVALID
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 4, 2026

Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid may be more than 350 years old, but for director Brandon J. Dirden and adapter and star Bill Irwin, there is nothing dusty about it. This season, the pair are bringing the classic comedy to Broadway in a new adaptation by Irwin, with Dirden at the helm. And while the play arrives with centuries of history behind it, their approach to the material is decidedly alive: a company of expert comic actors in a room together, testing jokes, pushing physical comedy to its limits and searching beneath the farce for something recognizably human.
Video: Clowning Around In Rehearsals with the Company of THE IMAGINARY INVALID
by Sam Anctil - Sep 23, 2026

There’s plenty of funny business brewing at the Todd Haimes Theatre, where Tony Award winner Bill Irwin and an all-star company are getting ready to bring Molière’s The Imaginary Invalid back to Broadway. Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production features a fresh adaptation written by Irwin, who also stars as Argan, with Brandon J. Dirden at the helm. Watch in this video as the cast discusses what audiences can expect.
Meet the Cast of THE IMAGINARY INVALID, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2026

Roundabout Theatre Company's production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière, translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden is now on Broadway! Meet the cast here.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 10, 2026- HEATHERS Welcomes New Stars and More
by - Sep 10, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 10, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: THE IMAGINARY INVALID Cast Is Getting Ready for Broadway
by Jennifer Broski - Sep 9, 2026

Next up at Roundabout Theatre Company is The Imaginary Invalid by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden making his Broadway directorial debut. Check out photos of the cast as they take a break from rehearsals!
Up on the Marquee: THE IMAGINARY INVALID Arrives on Broadway
by Jennifer Broski - Aug 19, 2026

Next up at Roundabout Theatre Company is The Imaginary Invalid by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden making his Broadway directorial debut. The Imaginary Invalid will begin preview performances on Friday, September 25, 2026, and open officially on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Todd Haimes Theatre.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld August 18, 2026- PARANORMAL ACTIVITY Begins Broadway Previews and More
by - Aug 18, 2026

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 18, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Rachel Bloom, Brooks Ashmanskas, Dylan Baker & More Join THE IMAGINARY INVALID on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 17, 2026

Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the complete cast and design team for the upcoming production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden (Waiting for Godot) making his Broadway directorial debut.
Roundabout Sets Dates for THE FULL MONTY, THE IMAGINARY INVALID and More in 26-27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 21, 2026

Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed dates for productions during the upcoming 2026-2027 season both on and off Broadway, including The Imaginary Invalid, The Full Monty, and more.
Broadway 2026/27: Season Preview: Upcoming Premieres and Star-Studded Revivals
by Sidney Paterra - Jul 3, 2026

2026 is halfway over, which means that the 2026/27 Broadway season has just begun! All eyes are already on the lineup for the new Broadway season and many Broadway productions have already revealed full details of their upcoming engagements.
Photos: 2026 Tony Awards- Stars Walk the Red Carpet
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026

The stars are aligning at Rockefeller Center! That's where the best of Broadway comes together today to walk the red carpet ahead of the 79th Annual Tony Awards- the biggest celebration in the American theatre. BroadwayWorld of course will be on hand at Radio City Music Hall all night to keep you up to speed on what's going on onstage, backstage, and behind the scenes!
2026 Tony Awards Guide - How to Watch, Who is Nominated & More
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026

Something's coming! The best of Broadway will take the stage Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Need a refresher on how to watch and when? We've got you covered!
Video: The Waiting Is Over! Brandon J. Dirden Is at Last a Tony Nominee
by Luka Vonier - Jun 3, 2026

Watch in this video as 2026 Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden chats more about the honor of getting a nomination, his long journey on Broadway, and so much more.
SCHMIGADOON!, LIBERATION and More Win 2026 Tony Awards - The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026

The best of Broadway takes the stage tonight at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Stay tuned all night ling for updates from inside the ceremony.
Photos: Behind the Scenes with the 2026 Tony Award Nominees for Plays
by Jennifer Broski - May 17, 2026

The Tony nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there to speak with all of them! Check out photos from behind the scenes with the nominees as they chatted with Richard Ridge and passed on our very own Tiny Tony.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Brandon J. Dirden been in?

Brandon J. Dirden has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Brandon J. Dirden been in?

Brandon J. Dirden has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Brandon J. Dirden been nominated for?

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Waiting for Godot, Outstanding Actor in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Skeleton Crew, Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Skeleton Crew, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Piano Lesson, Performance (Obie Awards) for The Piano Lesson, Outstanding Lead Actor (The Lortels) for The Piano Lesson and Theatre World Award (Theatre World Awards) for The Piano Lesson.

What awards has Brandon J. Dirden won?

Brandon J. Dirden won an Obie Award for Performance for The Piano Lesson and a Theatre World Award for The Piano Lesson.

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