TV

Nathan Lane


Mostly Credited As: Nathan Lane
Birth Name: Nathan Lane
Date Of Birth: February 03, 1959 (Age 57)
Country Of Birth: USA
Birth Place: Jersey City, New Jersey
Height: 5' 5" (1.65 m)

Nathan Lane


Nathan was born Joseph Lane on February 3, 1956, in Jersey City, New Jersey to Daniel Lane, a truck driver, and Nora Lane, a secretary. He was the youngest of three sons.
Around the time of his birth, his father's eyesight began to fail. Unemployed, the father fell victim to alcoholism and eleven years later "drank himself to death," according to Nathan.

When Nathan was in his early teens, his mother began to suffer from manic depression severe enough to require occasional hospitalization. Lane's older brother Daniel became a surrogate father to him and encouraged his love of reading and theater. He began acting while attending St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City Eventually winning a drama scholarship to St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia, but even with the award, the family could not afford the expense of college, and so he began working as an actor.

As Nathan established himself in the profession by performing in dinner theater and children's productions, he supplemented his income with various jobs, including telemarketing, conducting surveys for the Harris poll, and delivering singing telegrams.

At the age of 22 Nathan registered with Actors Equity. Since there was already a performer listed as Joe Lane, he changed his first name from Joseph to Nathan after the character "Nathan Detroit" in Guys and Dolls, whom he had played in dinner theater the previous year.

Sometime later Nathan made his Broadway debut, playing "Roland Maule" in Noël Coward's Present Laughter, directed by George C. Scott. His performance met with critical approval, and he went on to appear in a number of plays, including Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer (1984) directed by Daniel Gerroll, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure (1985), Simon Gray's The Common Pursuit (1986-1987), and August Darnell and Eric Overmyer's A Pig's Valise (1989), as well as two unsuccessful musicals, Elmer Bernstein and Don Black's Merlin (1982-1983), and William Perry's Wind in the Willows (1985-1986).

In 1987, Nathan made his film debut playing a ghost in Hector Babenco's Ironweed, based on the novel by William Kennedy.

In 1989, Nathan played his first gay role as Mendy in Terrence McNally's The Lisbon Traviata, directed by John Tillinger. His performance earned him the Drama Desk award for best actor in a play.

In the early 1990's Nathan had roles in half a dozen films, including Frankie and Johnny (1991), which was based on a play by McNally. In it he played the gay friend of Frankie, the female lead.
In 1992, Nathan returned to Broadway in a revival of Frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls. His performance as "Nathan Detroit" earned him rave reviews and another Drama Desk award, this one for best actor in a musical, as well as a Tony nomination. The next year he was well-received as the star of Neil Simon's Laughter on the 23d Floor.

In 1994, Nathan supplied the voice of "Timon the meerkat" in Rob Minkoff's The Lion King. Nathan teamed with Ernie Sabella, who voiced a warthog, on the movie's extremely popular song "Hakuna Matata." Nathan has since been the voice of other animated characters, including a cat in the film Stuart Little (1999) and a dog in the Disney cartoon show Teacher's Pet, for which he won a Daytime Emmy award.

In 1996, Nathan played drag queen "Albert" opposite Robin Williams' "Armand" in Mike Nichols's film The Birdcage, a remake of Edouardo Molinaro's 1978 film based on Jean Poiret's play, La Cage aux Folles. The film, with a script by Elaine May and Mike Nichols, was set in Miami's South Beach. Although controversial in a number of quarters, especially for its stereotypical portrait of a gay couple, the film was a commercial success, and Nathan's performance was described as "wide-ranging and inventive."

On his personal life, Nathan has never made a secret of his homosexuality. He came out to his family when he was 21 and about to move in with a lover. He did not comment publicly on his sexual orientation until 1999, however.

He has been criticized by some activists in the gay community for waiting so long to come out publicly. In an interview in The Advocate Nathan explained that he "found it difficult to discuss his personal life with total strangers" but was moved to speak out after the murder of gay college student Matthew Shepard. "At this point it's selfish not to do whatever you can," said Nathan. "If I . . . say I'm a gay person, it might make it easier for somebody else. So it seems stupid not to."

In other interviews Nathan has alluded to an "on-again-off-again relationship with an actor who lives in Los Angeles," but has otherwise maintained privacy about his personal relationships.

Currently Nathan is appearing on Broadway opposite Matthew Broderick in the hit musical The Producers, and in 2005 they also paired up for the critically acclaimed film version of their hit.




TV Appearances

Main cast 
American Crime Story (2016)As: F. Lee Bailey (Season 1)
The Money (2014) (2014)As: Gordon McCarren
On We Go (2012)As: TBA
Charlie Lawrence (2003)As: Charlie Lawrence
House of Mouse (2001)As: Timon -- [Voice]
Teacher's Pet (2000)As: Spot (2001-2002) -- [Voice]
George and Martha (1999)As: George the hippo -- [Voice]
Encore! Encore! (1998)As: Joseph Pinoni
Timon & Pumbaa (1995)As: Timon -- [Voice]
One of the Boys (1982) (1982)As: Jonathan Burns
Tony Awards (1967)As: Himself (Co-Host 1995, Host 1996, Co-Host 2000-2001)
Episode Cast Credits 

The View (1997) 
  Nathan Lane 19x120: (Mar/08/2016) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick 18x25: (Oct/17/2014) As Himself 
  Season 16, Episode 160 16x160: (May/09/2013) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane, Amy Berg, guest co-host Sade Baderinwa 10x39: (Oct/27/2006) As Himself 

Modern Family (2009) 
  I Don't Know How She Does It 07x15: (Mar/02/2016) As Pepper Saltzman, [Special Guest Stars]
  Fight or Flight 06x15: (Feb/18/2015) As Pepper Saltzman 
  The Wedding (Part 2) 05x24: (May/21/2014) As Pepper Saltzman, [Special Guest Stars]
  The Wedding (Part 1) 05x23: (May/14/2014) As Pepper Saltzman, [Special Guest Stars]

Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) 
  Nathan Lane, Kristen Schaal, Borns 02x41: (Mar/30/2015) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane, "Weird Al" Yankovic, Garry Marshall 01x105: (Sep/30/2014) As Himself, [Interviewees]

Watch What Happens: Live (2009) 
  Andrea Martin & Nathan Lane 11x176: (Oct/27/2014) As Himself, [Interviewees]

Live From Lincoln Center (1976) 
  The Nance 40x02: (Oct/10/2014) As Chauncey Miles, [Starring Roles]

Live with Kelly & Michael (1983) 
  Ted Danson, Martina McBride, La Roux 33x27: (Oct/07/2014) As Himself 
  Nathan Lane, the winner of "Hell's Kitchen" 27x185: (May/15/2009) As Himself 
  Selena Gomez, Nathan Lane 26x239: (Jul/31/2008) As Himself 
  Diane Lane 26x104: (Jan/24/2008) As Himself 

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) 
  Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Robert Plant 01x133: (Sep/26/2014) As Himself, [Interviewees]

The Good Wife (2009) 
  A Weird Year 05x22: (May/18/2014) As Clarke Hayden 
  All Tapped Out 05x18: (Apr/20/2014) As Clarke Hayden 
  A Few Words 05x14: (Mar/16/2014) As Clarke Hayden 
  Parallel Construction, Bitches 05x13: (Mar/09/2014) As Clarke Hayden 

Jimmy Kimmel Live (2003) 
  Nathan Lane, Adam Carolla, Royal Blood 12x138: (May/16/2014) As Himself, [Interviewees]

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (1996) 
  Jeff Garlin 19x53: (Jan/27/2014) As Himself 
  Nathan Lane 18x102: (May/14/2013) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane 13x44: (Apr/07/2008) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane 11x151: (Dec/04/2006) As Himself 

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009) 
  Nathan Lane, Zoe Kravitz, Tomahawk 05x89: (Jun/03/2013) As Himself, [Interviewees]

The Late Show with David Letterman (1993) 
  Nathan Lane, Joe Matarese, Kacey Musgraves 20x126: (May/03/2013) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane, Estelle 19x101: (Feb/28/2012) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane, Mike Palascak, Esperanza Spalding 18x78: (Jan/21/2011) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane, She & Him 17x121: (Apr/02/2010) As Himself, [Interviewees]

In Performance at the White House (2010) 
  A Broadway Celebration 01x05: (Oct/20/2010) As Himself, [Guest Hosts]

A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa (2008) 
  A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa 01x01: (Dec/17/2008) As Officer Meany 

Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) 
  Nathan Lane, Dylan Ratigan, Missy Higgins 15x142: (Jul/31/2008) As Himself, [Interviewees]
  Nathan Lane, Michel Gondry, Secondhand Serenade 15x62: (Feb/22/2008) As Himself 
  Nathan Lane, Jason Sudeikis, Ben Folds 14x24: (Oct/19/2006) As Himself 
  Nathan Lane, Padma Lakshmi, Kris Kristofferson 13x102: (Apr/06/2006) As Himself 

30 Rock (2006) 
  The Fighting Irish 01x17: (Mar/08/2007) As Eddie Donaghy 

The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) 
  Denzel Washington, Nathan Lane 04x58: (Nov/22/2006) As Himself 
  The cast of "The Producers" 03x75: (Dec/16/2005) As Himself 

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) 
  Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Chad Hedrick, Billy Currington 14x70: (Jan/09/2006) As Himself 

Inside the Actors Studio (1994) 
  Cast and Director of "The Producers" 12x01: (Dec/11/2005) As Himself 
  Nathan Lane 03x03: (Unknown/Unaired) As Himself 

Oprah (1986) 
  George Clooney's Big Buzz 20x30: (Oct/28/2005) As Himself 

Absolutely Fabulous (1992) 
  White Box (Dec/25/2004) As Kunz 

Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) 
  Opening Night 04x10: (Mar/14/2004) As Himself 

Sex and the City (1998) 
  I Love A Charade 05x08: (Sep/08/2002) As Bobby Fine 

The Academy Awards (1953) 
  The 74th Annual Academy Awards 50x01: (Mar/24/2002) As Presenter, [Featuring]
  The 68th Annual Academy Awards 44x01: (Mar/25/1996) As Presenter, [Featuring]

Primetime Glick (2001) 
  Molly Shannon / Nathan Lane 01x05: (Jul/18/2001) As Himself 

Tony Awards (1967) 
  The 55th Annual Tony Awards 35x01: (Jun/03/2001) As Himself (Co-Host) 
  The 50th Annual Tony Awards 30x01: (Jun/02/1996) As Himself (Host) 
  The 49th Annual Tony Awards 29x01: (Jun/04/1995) As Himself (Co-Host) 

Mad About You (1992) 
  Good Old Reliable Nathan 06x11: (Jan/13/1998) As Nathan Twilley 

Saturday Night Live (1975) 
  Nathan Lane/Metallica 23x08: (Dec/06/1997) As Himself (Host) 

Hallmark Hall Of Fame (1951) 
  The Boys Next Door 45x02: (Feb/04/1996) As Norman Bulansky 

Quantum Leap (1989) 
  Honeymoon Express - April 26, 1960 02x01: (Sep/20/1989) As (No Character - Background Extra Only), [Uncredited]

Miami Vice (1984) 
  Buddies 02x05: (Nov/01/1985) As Morty Price 
Crew Credits

Show Crew


On We Go (2012)• Executive Producer

Episode Crew


Trivia

In 1997, Nathan was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role for: The Birdcage (1996).

In 1997, Nathan & co won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast for: The Birdcage (1996).

In 1997, Nathan was nominated for the Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical for: The Birdcage (1996).

In 1999, Nathan won the People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a New Television Series.

In 2002, Nathan & co. won the NBR Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble for: Nicholas Nickleby (2002).

In 1997, Nathan & Robin Williams were nominated for the MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo for: The Birdcage (1996).

In 1997, Nathan was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for: The Birdcage (1996).

In 2006, Nathan was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for: The Producers (2005).

Nathan "came out" in 1999 to the general public, but he told his family about it when he was 21 years old.

Nathan is approximately 5' 5" (1.65 m) tall.

More Trivia
Nathan Lane Quotes

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