Audra McDonald is the first performer to win six Tony Awards for performance. Although Julie Harris holds six awards, five were for performance and the sixth was a Lifetime Achievement award.
Tonight McDonald received the prize for Best Performance By an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for her performance as Billie Holiday in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill.” Previously she won for her performances in “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” “Carousel,” “Master Class,” “Ragtime” and “A Raisin in the Sun.”
Most TV watchers might recognize her as Taye Diggs wife, then ex-wife on ABC’s Private Practice.
In her very emotional acceptance speech, McDonald took time to honor the women on whose shoulders she stands on including Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, Diahann Carroll and others. Of Holliday, she proclaimed, “You deserved so much more,” and declared this win was for her.
So proud of Audra! I love that she honored Dr. Angelou and others! Diahann Carroll is how her name is spelled.
Thanks!