19th Tony Awards


The 19th Annual Tony Awards was broadcast on June 13, 1965, from The Astor Hotel in New York City on local television station WWOR-TV. The Masters of Ceremonies were Tom Bosley, Jose Ferrer, and Van Johnson.

The ceremony

Presenters: George Abbott, Alan Alda, Robert Alda, Alan Arkin, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Sidney Blackmer, Herschel Bernardi, Victor Borge, Gower Champion, Carol Channing, Barbara Cook, Farley Granger, George Grizzard, Sally Ann Howes, Anne Jeffreys, Bert Lahr, Piper Laurie, Bethel Leslie, Ethel Merman, Barry Nelson, Molly Picon, Maureen Stapleton, Jule Styne, Eli Wallach.
Performer: Lucine Amara
Music was by Meyer Davis and his Orchestra.

Award winners and nominees

Winners are in bold
Best PlayBest Musical

  • Fiddler on the Roof
  • * Golden Boy
  • * Half a Sixpence
  • * Oh, What a Lovely War!
  • Best Producer Best Producer
  • Claire Nichtern – Luv
  • *Hume Cronyn, Allen Hogdon Inc., Stevens Productions Inc. and Bonfils-Seawell Enterprises – Slow Dance on the Killing Ground
  • * Theatre 1965, Richard Barr and Clinton Wilder – Tiny Alice
  • * Robert WhiteheadTartuffe
  • Harold PrinceFiddler on the Roof
  • * Allen-Hodgdon, Stevens Productions Inc. and Harold FieldingHalf a Sixpence
  • * Hillard ElkinsGolden Boy
  • * David MerrickThe Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a PlayBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
  • Walter Matthau – The Odd Couple as Oscar Madison
  • * John GielgudTiny Alice as Julian
  • * Donald PleasencePoor Bitos as Bitos
  • * Jason RobardsHughie as "Erie" Smith
  • Irene Worth – Tiny Alice as Miss Alice
  • * Marjorie RhodesAll in Good Time as Lucy Fitton
  • * Beah RichardsThe Amen Corner as Sister Margaret Alexander
  • * Diana SandsThe Owl and the Pussycat as Doris
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a MusicalBest Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
  • Zero Mostel – Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye
  • * Sammy Davis, Jr. – Golden Boy as Joe Wellington
  • * Cyril RitchardThe Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd as Sir
  • * Tommy SteeleHalf a Sixpence as Arthur Kipps
  • Liza Minnelli – Flora the Red Menace as Flora Mezaros
  • * Elizabeth AllenDo I Hear a Waltz? as Leona Samish
  • * Nancy DussaultBajour as Emily Kirsten
  • * Inga SwensonBaker Street as Irene Adler
  • Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a PlayBest Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
  • Jack Albertson – The Subject Was Roses as John Cleary
  • * Murray HamiltonAbsence of a Cello as Otis Clifton
  • * Martin SheenThe Subject Was Roses as Timmy Cleary
  • * Clarence Williams IIISlow Dance on the Killing Ground as Randall
  • Alice GhostleyThe Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window as Mavis Parodus Bryson
  • * Rae AllenTraveller Without Luggage as Juliette
  • * Alexandra Berlin – All in Good Time as Violet Fitton
  • * Carolan Daniels – Slow Dance on the Killing Ground as Rosie
  • Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalBest Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
  • Victor Spinetti – Oh, What a Lovely War! as Various Characters
  • * Jack CassidyFade Out – Fade In as Bryon Prong
  • * James GroutHalf a Sixpence as Chitterlow
  • * Jerry OrbachGuys and Dolls as Sky Masterson
  • Maria Karnilova – Fiddler on the Roof as Golde
  • * Luba LisaI Had a Ball as Addie
  • * Carrie NyeHalf a Sixpence as Helen Walsingham
  • * Barbara WindsorOh, What a Lovely War! as Various Characters
  • Best Direction of a PlayBest Direction of a Musical
  • Mike Nichols – Luv and The Odd Couple
  • * William BallTartuffe
  • * Ulu GrosbardThe Subject Was Roses
  • * Alan SchneiderTiny Alice
  • Jerome RobbinsFiddler on the Roof
  • * Joan LittlewoodOh, What a Lovely War!
  • * Anthony NewleyThe Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd
  • * Gene SaksHalf a Sixpence
  • Best Author Best Author
  • Neil Simon – The Odd Couple
  • * Edward Albee – Tiny Alice
  • * Frank Gilroy – The Subject Was Roses
  • * Murray Schisgal – Luv
  • Joseph SteinFiddler on the Roof
  • * Jerome CoopersmithBaker Street
  • * Beverley CrossHalf a Sixpence
  • * Sidney MichaelsBen Franklin in Paris
  • Best Original Score Written for the TheatreBest Choreography
  • Fiddler on the Roof – Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick
  • * The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd – Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse
  • * Half a SixpenceDavid Heneker
  • * Do I Hear a Waltz?Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim
  • Jerome Robbins – Fiddler on the Roof
  • * Peter GennaroBajour
  • * Donald McKayleGolden Boy
  • * Onna WhiteHalf a Sixpence
  • Best Scenic DesignBest Costume Design
  • Oliver Smith – Baker Street, Luv and The Odd Couple
  • * Boris AronsonFiddler on the Roof and Incident At Vichy
  • * Sean KennyThe Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd
  • * Beni MontresorDo I Hear a Waltz?
  • Patricia ZipprodtFiddler on the Roof
  • * Jane GreenwoodTartuffe
  • * MotleyBaker Street
  • * Freddy WittopThe Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd
  • Special awards

  • Gilbert Miller, for having produced 88 plays and musicals and for his perseverance which has helped to keep New York and theatre alive.
  • Oliver Smith

    Multiple nominations and awards

  • These productions had multiple nominations:
    The following productions received multiple awards.