At 96, June Squibb is unstoppable. The actress is once again proving that age is no match for passion, talent, and staying power. The beloved actress has officially made Tony Awards history after earning her first-ever Tony nomination on Tuesday, May 5, for her moving performance in “Marjorie Prime.“
GettyWith the nomination, Squibb became the oldest acting nominee in Tony Awards history, adding another extraordinary milestone to a career that has stretched across Broadway, film, and television for decades.
June Squibb Calls Historic Tony Nomination ‘Thrilling’ for Her Career
GettyFor many, it represents a celebration of perseverance, lasting talent, and a performer who continues to connect with audiences nearly 70 years after first stepping onto the stage.
“I’m thrilled with what this nomination will do for my career,” Squibb shared in a statement to People.
The actress also celebrated her “Marjorie Prime” co-star, Danny Burstein, who received a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play.
“Over the moon for Danny as well!” Squibb said. “I share this nomination with everyone who worked so hard to bring Marjorie Prime back to life.”
June Squibb Surpasses Previous Tony Awards Record
GettyBefore Squibb’s history-making nomination, the record for oldest acting nominee belonged to Lois Smith, who earned a Tony nod at age 89 for “The Inheritance” in 2020 (As reported by People).
HuffPost reported that before Smith, the distinction was held by Cicely Tyson, who received a nomination for “The Trip to Bountiful” at 88 years old in 2013.
Both legendary actresses went on to win in their respective categories, a path many fans are now hoping Squibb follows this awards season.
This year, Squibb is nominated alongside Betsy Aidem for “Liberation,” Marylouise Burke for “The Balusters,” Aya Cash for “Giant,” and Laurie Metcalf for “Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.”
The nomination marks yet another extraordinary moment in Squibb’s trailblazing career.
In addition to becoming the oldest acting nominee in Tony Awards history, the actress also became the oldest performer ever to open in a Broadway production at age 96.
June Squibb Reflected on Her Early Broadway Days
GettyLong before she became a beloved late-career Hollywood star through films like “Nebraska,” June Squibb was already building a life on the stage.
The “Thelma” star first arrived on Broadway in 1959, making her debut as Electra in the original production of “Gypsy” alongside theater icon Ethel Merman.
Nearly seven decades later, Squibb is still doing what she loves, now inspiring a new generation of fans with the same warmth, humor, and spark that first carried her onto the Broadway stage.
Reflecting on her early performing days, Squibb recently laughed about how much life has changed since those high-energy dance routines.
Getty“I moved a lot differently then,” Squibb told People during the New York City premiere of “Eleanor the Great” in September. “I was doing a lot of bumps and grinds every night… Not so many bumps and grinds now.”
At 96, Squibb continues to prove that passion for cinema, Broadway, and art has no age limit.
