Harvey Fierstein
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| Harvey Fierstein | |
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| Name | Harvey Fierstein |
| Caption | Fierstein in 2011 |
| Birth date | 6 June 1954 |
| Birth place | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor, playwright, voice actor, screenwriter |
| Yearsactive | 1971–present |
| Spouse | Terry Marotta, 2023 |
Harvey Fierstein is an iconic American actor, playwright, and screenwriter renowned for his distinctive gravelly voice and pioneering contributions to LGBT representation in mainstream theater and film. He first achieved major acclaim for writing and starring in the groundbreaking Off-Broadway and subsequent Broadway productions of Torch Song Trilogy, a work that brought complex gay life to a wide audience. His career spans celebrated stage performances in works like Hairspray and Fiddler on the Roof, alongside memorable film roles in projects such as Mrs. Doubtfire and voice work in Disney's Mulan. A lifelong activist, his work has earned numerous honors including multiple Tony Awards and a Drama Desk Award.
Early life and education
He was born in the Borough Park neighborhood of Brooklyn to Eastern European Jewish immigrants. He developed an interest in theater and drag performance at a young age, beginning to perform professionally while still a teenager. He pursued formal artistic training at the Pratt Institute and the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. His early professional experiences included performing with the experimental La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club in Greenwich Village, an environment that nurtured his distinctive creative voice.
Stage career
His stage breakthrough came with Torch Song Trilogy, which he wrote and starred in, moving from La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club to a successful Broadway run, earning him his first Tony Awards. He later won a Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for his iconic performance as Edna Turnblad in the original Broadway production of Hairspray. Other notable Broadway credits include starring as Tevye in the revival of Fiddler on the Roof, playing Albin in the 2010 revival of La Cage aux Folles, and appearing in Newsies. His work has consistently been recognized with nominations for the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award.
Film and television work
He reprised his role from Torch Song Trilogy for the 1988 film adaptation directed by Paul Bogart. He is widely recognized for his comedic film role as the brother of Robin Williams's character in Mrs. Doubtfire. His distinctive voice is featured in animated films like Disney's Mulan and its sequel, and he appeared in Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway. On television, he has had recurring roles on the ABC series Dirty Sexy Money and the NBC sitcom The Good Place, and has made guest appearances on shows like Cheers, How I Met Your Mother, and The Blacklist.
Writing and other creative work
Beyond Torch Song Trilogy, his playwriting includes the book for the musical La Cage aux Folles, for which he won another Tony Award. He also wrote the book for the musical A Catered Affair and the play Casa Valentina. He authored the children's book The Sissy Duckling, which was adapted into an HBO film. His newspaper columns and commentary have been featured in publications like The New York Times, often focusing on LGBT rights and social justice issues.
Personal life and activism
An openly gay public figure since the outset of his career, he has been a prominent activist for LGBT rights in the United States and HIV/AIDS awareness for decades. He has been a vocal supporter of organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. He entered a civil union in 2012 and married his partner, artist Terry Marotta, in a ceremony in 2023. His advocacy extends to political engagement, having spoken at events for the Democratic National Committee and during the campaign for New York City mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio.
Awards and recognition
His accolades include multiple Tony Awards for both acting and writing, specifically for Torch Song Trilogy and La Cage aux Folles. He has also received a Drama Desk Award, an Obie Award, and a Theatre World Award. For his contributions to the arts and activism, he was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame and has received honors from GLAAD. In 2007, he was awarded a Lambda Literary Award for his drama Casa Valentina.
Category:American male stage actors Category:American dramatists and playwrights Category:American LGBT dramatists and playwrights Category:Tony Award winners