Daniel Radcliffe took home the gold at the 77th annual Tony Awards on Sunday night.
For his performance in the vibrant production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Merrily We Roll Along,” the “Harry Potter” star won Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical, marking his first Tony nomination and win.
“Back to the Future” actor Roger Bart, Joshua Boone and Sky Lakota-Lynch (from “The Outsiders”), Brandon Victor Dixon (“from Hell’s Kitchen”) and “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” actor Steven Skybell were also in its category.
Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose, who choreographed and starred in the opening number of the ceremony, returned for the third time as host at the Lincoln Centre’s David H Koch Theatre in New York City.
Daniel Radcliffe’s winning speech
After performing with the cast of Merrily We Roll Along on stage, Radcliffe appeared shocked to win the award for best actor in a featured role in a musical.
Daniel Radcliffe accepts his #TonyAwards for best featured actor in a musical for #MerrilyWeRollAlong pic.twitter.com/REazUEowSH
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) June 17, 2024
“I’m just going to talk fast and try not to cry,” Radcliffe began his acceptance speech. “This is one of the best experiences of my life,” Radcliffe said.
The Harry Potter star thanked the late George Furth and Stephen Sondheim “for writing this unbelievable show” in 1981, the songs of whichh he described as “a gift to get to sing every night”.
The 34 year old described it as an “honour” to share the stage with co-stars Lindsay Mendez and Jonathan Groff in the musical which charts the turbulent relationship between three lifelong friends.
“I will miss you so much, I don’t really have to act in this show, I just have to look at you and I feel everything, I will never have it this good again,” he said.
“It is an honour to be on stage with you all every single night,” he added of his co-stars, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, and the entire cast of the musical. He also took a moment to thank his parents, who were in the audience.
Radcliffe wished a happy Father’s Day to his parents, and declared his love for partner Erin Darke.
“My love Erin, you and our son are the best thing that has ever happened to me, thank you so much,” he added.
Daniel Radcliffe’s fans reaction
It wasn’t just his turn as lyricist and playwright Charley Kringas in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s 1981 musical that had fans talking – it was also his American accent.
The British star has been very open about his choice to stay in character while performing alongside Broadway legend Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez, but that still didn’t stop fans from immediately hitting social media to share their thoughts.
“My brain will need some time to process watching Daniel Radcliffe sing and talk in an American accent,” wrote one fan on X.
“daniel radcliffe’s american accent always surprises me because it’s so good ???,” gushed another.
But it wasn’t just fans who saw his performance on the Tonys that took notice. Fans who saw him on stage also were blown away by his ability to impersonate an American.
“I cried. I saw Daniel Radcliffe singing with an American accent. I think this might be the Sondheimist Sondheim and I’m so glad there’s finally a hit version of this show,” wrote a fan back in January.
Daniel Radcliffe previously appeared on Broadway in ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’, ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’, ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Real Trying’ and ‘Equus’, his Broadway debut.
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