Tony Tanner facts for kids

Tony Tanner (born July 27, 1932 – died September 8, 2020) was a talented British actor, director, and choreographer. He worked in theatre, movies, and television. Tony Tanner was even nominated for a Tony Award, which is a very important award for theatre.

Tony Tanner's Amazing Career

Tony Tanner had a long and exciting career. He started as an actor and later became a successful director.

Becoming an Actor

Tony Tanner studied acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He was so good that he won a special award called the Douglas Cup. After school, he spent five years acting in different theatre groups in northern England. He played many different kinds of characters!

Later, Tony Tanner became well-known for his roles in small, fun theatre shows in West End of London. He even appeared in a show with the famous writer Harold Pinter. Tony Tanner also starred in the movie Strictly for the Birds in 1964.

He appeared in many plays and variety shows on British television. One of his most famous TV roles was playing Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

From Stage to Screen

A big moment in Tony Tanner's acting career was playing Littlechap in the London show Stop the World - I Want to Get Off. He took over the role from the show's writer, Anthony Newley. Tony Tanner then played the same character in the movie version of the show.

After that, Tony Tanner moved to America. He took on the main role in the Broadway show Half a Sixpence. He stayed in the U.S. and continued to star in many other Broadway plays.

Tony Tanner also performed in operas, playing funny characters in Gilbert and Sullivan shows. He even created his own one-man show called Charlatan. In this show, he played Sergei Diaghilev, who started the famous Ballets Russes dance company. The show was a big hit at the New York International Fringe Festival.

Directing and Choreographing

Tony Tanner was also a very successful director and choreographer. He directed and choreographed five shows on Broadway.

• One of his most famous directing jobs was for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. For this show, he was nominated for two Tony Awards: Best Director and Best Choreographer.
• In 1981, he directed A Taste of Honey, which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival.

Tony Tanner also directed many plays in Off-Broadway theatres. He even had his own theatre company in Los Angeles where he put on plays that he had written himself.

Tony Tanner's Life

Tony Tanner shared his life with his partner and husband, Henry Selvitelle, for 50 years.

He passed away at his home in Los Angeles, California, in September 2020. He was 88 years old.