Nathan Lane

Attended St. Peter's Preparatory High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, class of 1974, where he was voted Best Actor.

Was considered to play the role of "George Costanza" on "Seinfeld" (1990).

May 28, 1991: Starred in the first production of Terrence McNally's play Lips Together, Teeth Apart with Swoosie Kurtz, Christine Baranski, and Anthony Heald.

Originally named Joseph Lane, he changed his name because he heard of another actor named Joseph Lane. He chose the name Nathan after the character of Nathan Detroit from the Broadway musical "Guys and Dolls". Coincidentally, he later played that role in the hugely successful 1992 revival of "Guys and Dolls" on Broadway.

Frequently works with Matthew Broderick. They appeared together in the films The Lion King (1994), The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998) (V), The Lion King 1½ (2004) (V) and The Producers (2005). They also appeared together in the original Broadway production of The Producers, and in a revival of The Odd Couple.

Played the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True (1995) (TV). Co-hosted the 1995 Tony Awards. Hosted the 1996 Tony Awards Telecast.

Won two Tony Awards as best actor in a musical: in 1996 for playing Pseudolus in the revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and in 2001 for playing Max Bialystock in The Producers. He was also nominated in the same category in 1992 for playing Nathan Detroit in the revival of Guys and Dolls.

His favorite animated film is Finding Nemo (2003).

He and Broadway co-star Matthew Broderick were each awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in a joint ceremony. [January 9, 2006]