2024 Honoree - Theater Arts

Santino Fontana

Santino Fontana has established himself as a leading figure on Broadway and a formidable screen talent. In 2019, he won the Tony Award for “Best Actor in a Musical” for his performance as ‘Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels’ in TOOTSIE, which also earned him a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award. He is known for voicing the villainous ‘Prince Hans’ in Disney’s FROZEN and appeared in Universal Studio’s SISTERS opposite Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. His independent film work includes OFF THE MENU, IMPOSSIBLE MONSTERS, and PAPERCOP, for which he received a Best Actor Award at the Williamsburg International Independent Film Festival.

On television, Santino recently recurred as ‘Boise’ in THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL and starred as ‘Greg’ in The CW’s musical comedy series, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND as well as the NBC drama series SHADES OF BLUE with Jennifer Lopez and Ray Liotta. Other television credits include FX pilot, SINGULARITY from producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and guest roles on FOSSE, THE GOOD WIFE, NURSE JACKIE, BRAIN DEAD, MOZART IN THE JUNGLE, and ROYAL PAINS, and was featured in the web series SUBMISSIONS ONLY.

As one of Broadway’s brightest stars, Charles Isherwood of The New York Times wrote, “Santino Fontana [is] one of the most promising young actors to emerge in the New York theater in recent years.” Santino’s notable stage credits include a Tony Nomination for “Best Actor in a Musical” for his portrayal of ‘Prince Topher’ in CINDERELLA, Tony-winning mega-hit, HELLO DOLLY! opposite Bernadette Peters, ‘Moss Hart in Tony-nominated ACT ONE opposite Tony Shalhoub, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Clarence Derwent Award), A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS (Drama Desk Award), BILLY ELLIOT and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. He won a Lucille Lortel Award, an Obie Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and Drama League Award for his acclaimed performance in Stephen Karam’s SONS OF THE PROPHET. He also starred as ‘John Adams’ in 1776 and ‘Elliot Rosewater’ in GOD BLESS YOU, MR. ROSEWATER, both for New York City Center Encores!.

As a vocalist, Santino has performed at jazz venues like Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, Birdland and Below 54. As an orchestra soloist, Santino has sung at Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, working with prestigious ensembles including the New York Philharmonic, the New York Pops, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

He will next be seen in Ryan Murphy's FX series GROTESQUERIE and was recently nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in the Off-Broadway Revival of I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE. His upcoming feature film LOST & FOUND IN CLEVELAND starring June Squibb and Loretta Devine will premiere this Fall.