Harvey Fierstein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harvey Fierstein
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Fierstein in 2009
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Harvey Forbes Fierstein
June 6, 1952 New York City, U.S.
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| Education | Pratt Institute (BFA) |
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| Years active | 1981–present |
Harvey Forbes Fierstein (born June 6, 1952) is an American actor, writer, and screenwriter. He is famous for his unique, deep voice. Harvey Fierstein is well-known for his work in theater, especially in plays like Torch Song Trilogy and musicals such as Hairspray. He has also appeared in popular movies like Mrs. Doubtfire and Independence Day. Many people also know his voice as Yao from the Disney movies Mulan and Mulan II.
Fierstein has won four Tony Awards, which are very important awards for theater. He won two for Torch Song Trilogy (Best Play and Best Actor). He won another for writing the story (called the "book") for the musical La Cage aux Folles. His fourth Tony Award was for playing Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. He also wrote the stories for other award-winning musicals like Newsies. In 2007, he was added to the American Theater Hall of Fame, which honors great theater artists. He was also nominated for an Primetime Emmy Award for his role in the TV show Cheers.
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Early Life and Education
Harvey Fierstein was born in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City. His mother, Jacqueline Harriet, was a school librarian, and his father, Irving Fierstein, made handkerchiefs. Harvey has a brother named Ronald. When he was younger, before his voice changed, Harvey sang as a soprano in a professional boys' choir.
He went to the High School of Art and Design. Later, he earned a degree in Fine Arts from the Pratt Institute in 1973.
Amazing Career Highlights
Harvey Fierstein started his theater career as a founding member of The Gallery Players of Park Slope. He then acted in Andy Warhol's only play, Pork.
Broadway Success
Fierstein is most famous for his play Torch Song Trilogy. He not only wrote it but also starred in it. The play was first shown off-Broadway with a young Matthew Broderick. Later, it moved to Broadway. The Broadway show in 1982 won him two Tony Awards: one for Best Play and one for Best Actor in a Play. He also won two Drama Desk Awards and a Theatre World Award for this play.
He also wrote the story (the "book") for the musical La Cage aux Folles in 1983. This earned him another Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical.
In 2002, Fierstein played the role of Edna Turnblad in the musical Hairspray on Broadway. He won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for this role. Later, in 2004, he took on the role of Tevye in the Broadway revival of Fiddler on the Roof.
Voice Acting and Film Roles
Harvey Fierstein has lent his unique voice to many characters. He voiced Yao in Disney's animated movie Mulan. He returned to voice Yao in the video game Kingdom Hearts II and the movie sequel Mulan II.
He also voiced Elmer in the 1999 HBO special based on his children's book, The Sissy Duckling. This special won the Humanitas Prize for Children's Animation. In 1992, he played Mark Newberger in the TV show Cheers, which earned him an Emmy Award nomination.
Writing for the Stage
In 2007, Fierstein wrote the book for the musical A Catered Affair, and he also acted in it. The show opened on Broadway in 2008 and received many nominations, winning the Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical.
He also wrote the book for the musical Newsies, which opened on Broadway in 2012. He was nominated for a Tony Award for this work. Fierstein also wrote the book for the musical ... Boots, with music by Cyndi Lauper. This musical opened on Broadway in 2013 and won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
In April 2016, Harvey Fierstein received a star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. His memoir, I Was Better Last Night, was released in 2022 and became a New York Times Bestseller.
Personal Life and Voice
Harvey Fierstein's distinctive, deep voice is caused by something special in his vocal cords. He has an overdeveloped part called a "vestibular fold," which gives him a "double voice" when he speaks.
Images for kids
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Fierstein in 2009
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Fierstein in 1983
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Fierstein (left) with Anthony Rapp at a charity event in 2006
