The Oscars, it’s often noted, rarely give acting awards to comedians. The Tony voters this year proved to be more embracing. Four of the five Best Actor nominees were serious actors in heavy-duty performances: Philip Seymour Hoffman as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman, James Earl Jones as the President of the United States in The Best Man and stage veterans Frank Langella and John Lithgow emoting in Man and Boy and The Columnist, respectively. All were swept away by the clown: James Corden, who won for his frenetic and funny performance in the British farce One Man, Two Guvnors. What’s more, he gave the most gracious, sincere and sober acceptance speech of the night.
(MORE: Read Richard Zoglin’s review of One Man, Two Guvnors)