Theatre icon Audra McDonald takes the lead as most nominated actress at Tony Awards

Broadway star Audra McDonald has cemented her status as a theatrical powerhouse after earning the most Tony Award nominations for an actress.

She broke the record with a whopping 11 Tony nods on the 2025 list.

And it doesn't come as a huge surprise to those in the industry, as she's been described as having a voice good enough to silence a room.

With six wins already under her belt at the prestigious annual ceremony, she also holds the Guinness World Records title for most Tony Awards won by an actress.

It's her range as an actress that makes her achievement such a monumental one.

She’s the only performer in history to win Tonys in all four acting categories: Best Leading Actress and Best Featured Actress, in both a play and a musical.

The Tony Awards, often called the “Oscars of Broadway”, recognize excellence in live theatre across numerous categories, but the four acting titles are among the most coveted.

Winning just one can define an actor's career, and McDonald has won six.

Legendary director and producer Harold Prince holds the record for the most individual Tony wins with 21 awards.

Stage icons Julie Harris and Angela Lansbury both trail McDonald with five wins for acting. For her latest record, McDonald surpassed Harris, as well as Chita Rivera, who both have 10 nominations to their name.

Harris holds the title for the most wins of the Best Actress in a Play award.

From her first nomination to her latest, McDonald has been on the stage for over three decades.

She earned her first ever Tony for her 1994 portrayal of Carrie Pipperidge in a revival of Carousel.

Fast forward to 2025, and her 11th nomination came for her starring old as Rose in the Broadway revival of Gypsy.

So whether you’re a seasoned theatregoer or a casual fan humming show tunes in the shower, one thing’s clear: you should see at least one Audra McDonald performance in your life.

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