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Michael Crawford

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BIO

Michael Crawford is an English actor, singer, and comedian whose career spans stage, film, and television, with significant work in both London’s West End and on Broadway. He is best known for originating the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, a performance that earned him both the Laurence Olivier Award and the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and remains one of the most acclaimed portrayals in modern musical theatre.



Crawford’s stage work has been central to his career, establishing him as a leading figure in international musical theatre. His performance as the Phantom received widespread critical acclaim and contributed to the production’s enduring global success. Alongside his theatre work, he has appeared in film and television, including playing Cornelius Hackl in the musical film Hello, Dolly! and achieving widespread popularity as Frank Spencer in the long-running British sitcom Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em.

In addition to his performing career, Crawford is the author of the autobiography Parcel Arrived Safely: Tied With String. Since 1987, he has served as the leader and public face of the Sick Children’s Trust, maintaining a long-standing commitment to advocacy and charitable work alongside his artistic achievements.

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STAGE CREDITS

The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera
[West End]
Original London Production, 2021
The Phantom
The Go-Between The Go-Between
[West End]
Original West End Production, 2016
Leo Colston
The Wizard of Oz The Wizard of Oz
[West End]
London Revival, 2011
The Wizard of Oz
The Woman in White
[West End]
Original London Production, 2004
Count Fosco
The Phantom of the Opera
[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Production, 1990
The Phantom
The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Barnum
[West End]
Return Engagement [West End], 1985
Phineas Taylor Barnum
Barnum
[West End]
London Production, 1981
Flowers for Algernon
[West End]
Original London Production, 1979
Performer
Billy
[West End]
Original London Production, 1974
Billy
Black Comedy
[Broadway]
1967
Brindsley Miller
EFX
[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1995
H.G. Wells
Harry Houdini
Merlin
H.G. Wells
Harry Houdini
Merlin

Movies

Blow Your Own Trumpet
[ 1958 ] Jim Fenn
Soapbox Derby
[ 1958 ] Peter Toms
A French Mistress
[ 1960 ] Kent
Two Living, One Dead
[ 1961 ] Nils Lindwall
The War Lover
[ 1962 ] Junior
Two Left Feet
[ 1965 ] Alan Crabbe
The Knack... and How to Get It
[ 1965 ] Colin
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
[ 1966 ] Hero
How I Won the War
[ 1967 ] Lt. Goodbody
The Jokers
[ 1967 ] Michael Tremayne
Hello, Dolly!
[ 1969 ] Cornelius Hackl
Hello-Goodbye
[ 1970 ] Harry England
The Games
[ 1970 ] Harry Hayes
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
[ 1972 ] White Rabbit
Condorman
[ 1981 ] Woody Wilkins
Once Upon a Forest
[ 1993 ] Cornelius
The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall
[ 2011 ] Original Company

TV Shows

Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School
Frank Nugent
Three Golden Nobles
Harry
The Common Room
Jock
William Tell
Youth
The Chequered Flag
Bryan West
Dixon of Dock Green
[ 1959-1960 ] Chris Kelly, Howard Garland
Emergency-Ward 10
Eddie
Police Surgeon
Jim Clark
Probation Officer
[ 1959-1960 ] John
Fact and Fiction
Pierre Mercier
Saturday Playhouse
Read
The Afterthought
Laurence
One Step Beyond
Tony Hudson
Sir Francis Drake
[ 1961-1962 ] John Drake
Suspense
Alan Murray
Festival
Barney
Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life
[ 1964-1965 ] Byron
A World of Comedy
Introduced by, X5, Michael
Armchair Theatre
[ 1960-1966 ] Edward, Dermot Drage
ITV Play of the Week
[ 1958-1966 ] Tony, Anderson
Theatre 625
Danny
ITV Sunday Night Theatre
Constable Gough
Play for Today
Ferdinand Vanek
CBS Children's Film Festival
Peter Toms
Chalk and Cheese
Dave Finn
Barnum!
Phineas Taylor Barnum
Noel's House Party
Frank Spencer
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
[ 1973-2016 ] Frank Spencer
Private Eyes
Attendant

Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Woman In White


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Michael Crawford, Phantom of the Opera


winner
Drama League Awards - 1988 - Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre

Michael Crawford


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Actor - Musical

Michael Crawford, The Phantom of the Opera


winner
Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Phantom of the Opera


winner
Olivier Awards - 1986 - Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical

Michael Crawford, The Phantom Of The Opera


winner
Olivier Awards - 1981 - Actor of the Year in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Barnum

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Actor of the Year in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Flowers For Algernon

Videos

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News


Interview: Meet the General Managers That Keep Broadway Running, Wendy Orshan and Jef Photo
Interview: Meet the General Managers That Keep Broadway Running, Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey M. Wilson
by Robert Diamond - Jan 6, 2026

Every Broadway show needs general management and Wendy Orshan and Jeffrey M. Wilson are here to provide. The pair heads 101 Productions, Ltd.- a theatrical General Management firm formed in 1994.
Video: Watch Highlights From the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors Photo
Video: Watch Highlights From the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 22, 2025

New sneak peeks have been released from the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, featuring Michael Crawford, Kelsey Grammer, Carrie Manolakos, and more. Check out a preview of the ceremony here.
Interview: A Career That Goes Beyond The Mask, Michael Crawford Looks Back on A Long Photo
Interview: A Career That Goes Beyond The Mask, Michael Crawford Looks Back on A Long and Distinguished Career
by Elliot Lanes - Dec 19, 2025

International performer Michael Crawford is probably best known the world over for originating the title character in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End, on Broadway, and an extended engagement in Los Angeles. But his seventy year career goes far beyond that one show. Prior to The Phantom of the Opera Mr. Crawford appeared regularly on the West End in such productions as Barnum, Black Comedy, Flowers for Algernon, and Billy. You might also remember him from his performance of Corneilus Hackl in the movie version of Hello Dolly. He also appeared in EFX at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas as well as having a very successful concert and solo recording career.
Feature: Talent, Determination, Influence and Legacy: The Kennedy Center Honors Photo
Feature: Talent, Determination, Influence and Legacy: The Kennedy Center Honors
by David Friscic - Dec 12, 2025

Craftsmanship, creativity, guts, determination and the talent that influences new generations and that creates a lasting legacy –all represented the qualities of the honorees that have been awarded the 48th Annual Kennedy Center Honors (which was taped on December 7, 2025, and will be broadcast on Paramount+ and CBS on December 23, 2025).
Full Cast Set For BARNUM UK and Ireland Tour Photo
Full Cast Set For BARNUM UK and Ireland Tour
by Stephi Wild - Dec 10, 2025

Casting has been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Barnum, the classic Broadway musical by Cy Coleman (music), Michael Stewart (lyrics) and Mark Bramble (book) that celebrates the life of the world's greatest showman, P.T. Barnum.
THE 48TH KENNEDY CENTER HONORS New Medallion Unveiled Photo
THE 48TH KENNEDY CENTER HONORS New Medallion Unveiled
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 2, 2025

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced the Kennedy Center Honors' medallions have been re-imagined and donated by Tiffany & Co. The 48th annual Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+ on Tue., Dec. 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.*
Michael Crawford Joins Sick Children's Trust TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS Concert Photo
Michael Crawford Joins Sick Children's Trust TOGETHER AT CHRISTMAS Concert
by Stephi Wild - Nov 24, 2025

Michael Crawford is set to join the Sick Children's Trust's annual carol concert, Together at Christmas, an evening filled with carols, live performances from choirs and soloists, and inspiring heartfelt readings from celebrity guests.
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Michael Crawford been in?

Michael Crawford has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Michael Crawford been in?

Michael Crawford has appeared on London's West End in 8 shows.

What was Michael Crawford's first West End show?

Michael Crawford's first West End show was Billy which opened in 1974

What awards has Michael Crawford been nominated for?

Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Woman In White, Outstanding Actor - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Phantom of the Opera, Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Actor - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Phantom of the Opera, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Phantom of the Opera, Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Phantom Of The Opera, Actor of the Year in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Barnum and Actor of the Year in a Musical (Olivier Awards) for Flowers For Algernon.

What awards has Michael Crawford won?

Michael Crawford has received several prestigious awards throughout his career. He won the Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for Woman In White. He earned the Outstanding Actor - Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards for Phantom of the Opera. He was recognized with the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre award by the Drama League Awards. Additionally, he received the Best Actor - Musical honor from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for The Phantom of the Opera. Crawford won the Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Phantom of the Opera. At the Olivier Awards, he was honored with the Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical for The Phantom of the Opera and was named Actor of the Year in a Musical for Barnum.

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