June Squibb Becomes Oldest Tony Nominee in History at 96

At the age of 96, June Squibb has set a record: she is now the oldest nominee in Tony Awards history.

Squibb is nominated this year for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance as Marjorie in Jordan Harrison’s Marjorie Prime. Remarkably, this also marks Squibb’s first Tony nomination, capping a stage career that began in 1960, when she joined the cast of Gypsy.

She surpasses a record held by Lois Smith, who won the Tony at the age of 89 in 2020 for The Inheritance, and took over the title from Cecily Tyson, who was 88 when she was nominated (and won) for The Trip to Bountiful. Squibb would own the record with her nomination, and it is unlikely to be surpassed any time soon.

Smith, as it happens, originated the role of Marjorie in Marjorie Prime in 2014, and went on to play the role on screen in 2017.