Michael Crawford Headshot

Michael Crawford

Birth Place: Salisbury, Wiltshire, ENGLAND

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Michael Crawford BIO

Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Michael Crawford began his career as a boy soprano in Benjamin Britten's Let's Make an Opera. Numerous television appearances and over 500 radio broadcasts later found him the popular star of television's Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life, which, combined with his screen performance in The Knack, earned him the Variety Club Award for Most Promising Newcomer.



Juggling both film and Stage careers, Crawford went on to star in the films A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum with Zero Mostel, Buster Keaton and Phil Silvers, The Jokers, How I Won the War with John Lennon, The Games, Hello and Goodbye, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Condorman. In 1969, he charmed international filmgoers as the juvenile lead, Cornelius Hackl, in the motion picture version of Hello, Dolly! Starring Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau and directed by Gene Kelly, who remained a lifelong friend.

Mr. Crawford became a favorite with international audiences during the long-running comedy, No Sex Please - We're British, which was one of the London Stage's most popular tourist attractions. He later captured the hearts of television audiences as the star of the long-running BBC-TV comedy series, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, which first aired in the '70's and is still being shown - and receiving top ratings - in countries around the world. For this series, Mr. Crawford was voted the Funniest Man on Television by readers of the TV Times, and Television Actor of the Year by The Sun.

As the star of the John Barry hit musical Billy at the famed Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Crawford was simultaneously voted Show Business Personality of the Year and presented with the Silver Heart Award by the Variety Club of Great Britain. Other highly popular performances were Same Time, Next Year, the musical Flowers for Algernon, and the BBC television play, Sorry. Another television series Chalk and Cheese, further increased Crawford's standing as one of Britain's leading stars.

In 1981, Mr. Crawford starred in the London company of the hit Broadway musical, Barnum, at the London Palladium. That performance won him his first Olivier Award, and a video was made for distribution in the United States, and the United Kingdom. In 1986, fate took over and Crawford opened in The Phantom of the Opera, beginning one of the most widely acclaimed and memorable performances in theatre history.

The Phantom of the Opera marked Michael's fourth consecutive starring role in a major West End musical. He set himself apart with his exceptional performance on 1987's international hit album, The Phantom of the Opera (The Complete Original London Cast Recording), whose worldwide sales tally stands at 12 million copies. The album, the first in British musical history to enter the charts at #1, is certified RIAA quadruple platinum in the United Sates.
The Phantom of the Opera solidified Mr. Crawford's position in the hierarchy of entertainment stars in the United States, earning him an astonishing catalogue of critical recognition including Broadway's Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Los Angeles Dramalogue Award and Drama Critics Award. After opening in Phantom on October 9, 1986, he was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) by the Queen, as well as receiving his second Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

After three and a half years as the toast of London, New York, and Los Angeles in the title role of The Phantom of the Opera, Michael Crawford delighted concert-goers in sold-out houses throughout the United States, Australia and Great Britain as the special guest star of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Mr. Crawford's solo recording career started soon after the opening of Phantom. Songs from the Stage and Screen both released in the United Kingdom on the Telstar label (reissued by Atlantic Records in 1992) moved quickly, but his next recording, Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber, released by Atlantic Records in November 1992, proved to be even more of a runaway success having sold more than two million albums worldwide to date. Two years later, Crawford recorded another hit album, A Touch of Music in the Night, on which he sang duets with Barbra Streisand and Patti LaBelle.

In 1995, Mr. Crawford created the high-profile starring role in EFX, the $40 million production which officially opened MGM's 1700-seat Grand Theatre in Las Vegas. The Atlantic Theater label released the companion album to EFX, which was hailed as among the most spectacular and ambitious shows ever produced on the American Stage.

In 1998 Crawford filmed his first television special, Michael Crawford in Concert, which premiered nationwide on PBS as part of the March 1998 pledge drive. The TV special was also nominated for 2 Emmy Awards later that year. Also that year he released his first album of spiritual songs On Eagle's Wings, and Michael Crawford in Concert, a recording of his worldwide concert tour.

In 1999 Mr. Crawford published his autobiography Parcel Arrived Safely: Tied with String in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The book became an immediate best seller. As a companion to the book, Mr. Crawford also released an audiotape on which he read a shortened version of the book. Later in the year, he released Michael Crawford: A Christmas Album in the U.S. It was later retitled and released in the UK as The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

In 2000, Crawford began his own concert tour, Michael Crawford in Concert in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. Soon after, his album Michael Crawford in Concert was released in the UK under the First Night Records label.

In January 2001, the PBS special An Evening with Michael Crawford in Concert aired in the UK. In mid-April, he released an album of Disney songs aptly titled Michael Crawford: The Disney Album in Australia and New Zealand. The album quickly climbed the charts and was certified Platinum by the Australia Record Industry Association marking the first time in 30 years that a Walt Disney recording had achieved this position on the charts. The album was also certified Gold in New Zealand ranking No. 2 in sales. Later that year, a compilation album The Best of Michael Crawford was released in Australia and later reached the Top 10 in sales.
In 2002, Mr. Crawford returned to the Broadway Stage in the musical comedy "Dance of the Vampires". In the musical based on the 1967 Roman Polanski film horror spoof "The Fearless Vampire Killers", Michael played Count von Krolock.

In 2004, after an 18-year absence from the London Stage, Michael returned to portray the diabolical yet charming Count Fosco in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical The Woman in White. Based on the 1860 Victorian novel by Wilkie Collins, the musical opened on September 15, 2004 at The Palace Theatre.

As the grossly overweight Count, Michael nearly stole the show in the hit musical and received much critical acclaim receiving a number of honors including the British Variety Club Award for "2004 Outstanding Stage Performance," an Olivier Award Nomination for "Best Supporting Actor in a Musical," and a Whatsonstage.com Theatregoers' Choice Award. The Original London Cast Recording was released November 15, 2004.
"The Very Best of Michael Crawford", a compilation album, was released by EMI International in November. The CD includes "You Can Get Away With Anything" from The Woman in White and "Somewhere in Time" from EFX! written by Michael's old friend John Barry.

In 2005 Michael performed several concert bookings in Newport News, Virginia, Mesa, Arizona, and Dallas. In 2006 Michael conducted a sold out concert tour of Australia and New Zealand, followed by more concerts in the United States including Atlantic City and Los Angeles.

In 2011, Michael performed as 'the Wizard' in Andrew Lloyd Webber's new production of THE WIZARD OF OZ at the London Palladium. The production opened on March 1, 2011 to rave reviews, and Michael performed in the show through February 5, 2012 receiving nightly standing ovations.
Michael made a triumphant return to the West End stage in 2016, starring as Leo Colston in THE GO-BETWEEN, a critically-acclaimed new British musical which played the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue for a successful limited run.

Michael Crawford Photos

Michael Crawford STAGE CREDITS

[West End]
Original London Production, 2021
The Phantom

[West End]
Original West End Production, 2016
Leo Colston

[West End]
London Revival, 2011
The Wizard of Oz

[West End]
Original London Production, 2004
Count Fosco

[Los Angeles]
Los Angeles Production, 1990
The Phantom

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
The Phantom

[West End]
Return Engagement [West End], 1985
Phineas Taylor Barnum

[West End]
London Production, 1981
Phineas Taylor Barnum

[West End]
Original London Production, 1979
Performer

[West End]
Original London Production, 1974
Billy

[Broadway]
1967
Brindsley Miller

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1995
Merlin

Harry Houdini

H.G. Wells


Michael Crawford Movies

Soapbox Derby
[ 1958 ] Peter Toms
Blow Your Own Trumpet
[ 1958 ] Jim Fenn
A French Mistress
[ 1960 ] Kent
Two Living, One Dead
[ 1961 ] Nils Lindwall
The War Lover
[ 1962 ] Junior
The Knack... and How to Get It
[ 1965 ] Colin
Two Left Feet
[ 1965 ] Alan Crabbe
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
[ 1966 ] Hero
How I Won the War
[ 1967 ] Lt. Goodbody
The Jokers
[ 1967 ] Michael Tremayne
Hello, Dolly!
[ 1969 ] Cornelius Hackl
The Games
[ 1970 ] Harry Hayes
Hello-Goodbye
[ 1970 ] Harry England
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
[ 1972 ] White Rabbit
Condorman
[ 1981 ] Woody Wilkins
Once Upon a Forest
[ 1993 ] Cornelius
The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall
[ 2011 ] Original Company

Michael Crawford TV Shows

William Tell
Youth
The Common Room
Jock
Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School
Frank Nugent
Three Golden Nobles
Harry
The Chequered Flag
Bryan West
Saturday Playhouse
Read
Dixon of Dock Green
[ 1959-1960 ] Chris Kelly, Howard Garland
Fact and Fiction
Pierre Mercier
Emergency-Ward 10
Eddie
Probation Officer
[ 1959-1960 ] John
Police Surgeon
Jim Clark
One Step Beyond
Tony Hudson
The Afterthought
Laurence
Sir Francis Drake
[ 1961-1962 ] John Drake
Suspense
Alan Murray
Festival
Barney
A World of Comedy
Introduced by, X5, Michael
Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life
[ 1964-1965 ] Byron
Armchair Theatre
[ 1960-1966 ] Edward, Dermot Drage
ITV Play of the Week
[ 1958-1966 ] Tony, Anderson
Theatre 625
Danny
ITV Sunday Night Theatre
Constable Gough
Play for Today
Ferdinand Vanek
CBS Children's Film Festival
Peter Toms
Chalk and Cheese
Dave Finn
Barnum!
Phineas Taylor Barnum
Noel's House Party
Frank Spencer
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
[ 1973-2016 ] Frank Spencer
Private Eyes
Attendant

Michael Crawford Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2005 - Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Woman In White


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Actor - Musical

Michael Crawford, Phantom of the Opera


winner
Drama League Awards - 1988 - Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre

Michael Crawford


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Actor - Musical

Michael Crawford, The Phantom of the Opera


winner
Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Phantom of the Opera


winner
Olivier Awards - 1986 - Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical

Michael Crawford, The Phantom Of The Opera


winner
Olivier Awards - 1981 - Actor of the Year in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Barnum

Olivier Awards - 1979 - Actor of the Year in a Musical

Michael Crawford, Flowers For Algernon

Michael Crawford Videos

Michael Crawford News


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Michael Crawford FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Michael Crawford been in?

Michael Crawford has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has Michael Crawford been in?

Michael Crawford has appeared on London's West End in 8 shows.

What was Michael Crawford's first West End show?

Michael Crawford's first West End show was Billy which opened in 1974

What awards has Michael Crawford been nominated for?

Michael Crawford has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career, including Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Woman In White," Outstanding Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Phantom of the Opera," Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, Best Actor - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Phantom of the Opera," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Phantom of the Opera," Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "The Phantom Of The Opera," Actor of the Year in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Barnum," and Actor of the Year in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Flowers For Algernon."

What awards has Michael Crawford won?

Michael Crawford has won several awards for his performances in various Broadway shows. These include the Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Woman In White," Outstanding Actor - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Phantom of the Opera," Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards, Best Actor - Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Phantom of the Opera," Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Phantom of the Opera," Outstanding Performance of the Year by an Actor in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "The Phantom Of The Opera," and Actor of the Year in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Barnum."

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