Darren Criss just hit a huge milestone in his already impressive career. The 38-year-old actor, known for his roles in Glee and American Horror Story, finally grabbed his first Tony Award—and it was a moment full of heart and gratitude.
A Night to Remember
At the 2025 Tony Awards held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Criss took home the trophy for Best Actor in a Musical. He won for playing Oliver, a robot character, in the original musical Maybe Happy Ending.
While the role might have been about a singing robot, Criss kept it very real during his acceptance speech. He opened by saying, “A lot of humans got me here.”
All About the Support System
The most touching part of his speech? His tribute to his wife, Mia.
- He called her “the real hero” behind the journey.
- He thanked her for allowing him to take a big leap with this role.
- He acknowledged her for handling the chaos at home, raising two young kids while he performed eight shows a week at the Belasco Theatre.
Then came the line that melted the room:
“You’re the very pedestal that upholds the shiny spinny bit in our lives.”
That’s pure Darren Criss—quirky, loving, and genuine.
A Long Time Coming
This was Darren’s first nomination for a Tony Award, and he made it count. He’s been on Broadway before, but Maybe Happy Ending gave him the perfect moment to shine in a lead musical role. With his mix of acting chops, musical talent, and emotional depth, he truly brought Oliver to life.
And now, he finally has a Tony to show for it.
