The legendary June Squibb has officially etched her name into the Broadway record books. At 96 years old, the veteran actress has become the oldest Tony Award nominee in history, earning a nod for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her poignant performance in Jordan Harrison’s Marjorie Prime.
The announcement, which came during the unveiling of the 2026 Tony Award nominations, marks a full-circle moment for Squibb. Despite a career that has spanned over seven decades across stage and screen, this is remarkably her first-ever Tony nomination. Her Broadway journey began in 1959 when she made her debut in the original production of Gypsy, starring alongside the formidable Ethel Merman. Now, nearly 70 years after her career began, the industry is giving her the definitive “flowers” she has long deserved.
Breaking a Long-Standing Record
In securing this nomination, Squibb surpasses a record previously held by another titan of the stage, Lois Smith. Smith held the title of oldest nominee (and winner) when she was recognized at age 89 for her role in The Inheritance in 2020. Interestingly, Smith also has a deep connection to Squibb’s current project: Smith originated the role of Marjorie in the 2014 stage premiere of Marjorie Prime and reprised it in the 2017 film adaptation.
Squibb also overtakes the late Cicely Tyson, who was 88 when she won the Tony for The Trip to Bountiful in 2013. By reaching this milestone at 96, Squibb has set a benchmark that many industry insiders believe will remain untouched for decades to come.
The Role: Marjorie Prime
In Marjorie Prime, Squibb plays the title character, an aging woman whose memory is beginning to fail. To cope with her loss, she uses a “Prime”—a holographic recreation of her late husband as a younger man (played in this production by Danny Burstein). The play explores deep themes of grief, the fallibility of memory, and how technology intersects with the human soul.
Critics have hailed Squibb’s performance as a masterclass in subtlety. She portrays Marjorie’s descent into dementia not with histrionics, but with a sharp-witted, heartbreaking realism that anchors the entire production. Her chemistry with Burstein—who himself made history this year as the most-nominated male actor in Tony history with nine nods—is the emotional heartbeat of the play.
A Late-Blooming Icon
While Broadway fans have known Squibb for years, she experienced a massive “renaissance” in her 80s, largely spurred by her Academy Award-nominated turn in the 2013 film Nebraska. Since then, she has become one of the most sought-after character actresses in Hollywood, appearing in everything from Palm Springs to Pixar’s Inside Out 2.
Earlier this year, Squibb also made waves with her first-ever leading film role in the action-comedy Thelma, where she performed many of her own stunts at age 94. Her 2026 Tony nomination serves as the ultimate validation of her versatility, proving that her talent is as potent on a live stage as it is on the silver screen.
The 2026 Tony Awards Landscape
Squibb’s historic nod comes in a year defined by heavy hitters and innovative new works. The 2026 nominations were led by the musical adaptations of The Lost Boys and Schmigadoon!, each earning 12 nominations. However, the “play” categories have been equally competitive, with Marjorie Prime standing out as a critical darling.
Squibb’s nomination is more than just a statistic; it is a testament to the endurance of the acting craft. In an industry often criticized for ageism, Squibb’s presence at the top of the ballot sends a powerful message: that artistic excellence has no expiration date.
The 80th Annual Tony Awards will take place on June 7 at Radio City Music Hall, hosted by Pink. Whether Squibb takes home the trophy or not, she has already made history, reminding the world that some of the best performances come to those who wait—even if they wait 96 years.
