25 DAYS OF TONYS: Norbert Leo Butz Shares His Real Thoughts About His Name

Actor Norbert Leo Butz may have won two Tonys, but now, with his fourth nomination for his performance as Alfred P. Doolittle in Lincoln Center Theater’s My Fair Lady, he admits it's his longevity in this business that makes him proudest.

“I did the math the other day: 22 years ago is when I made my Broadway debut in Rent,” he says in the video above. “All of it, the good the bad, the ups the downs. It's not for wimps this musical stuff, so I'm just proud to have lasted, I guess.”

Lo these many years later, the revival My Fair Lady has been a particular joy. “We had a great time in rehearsal. It's been a joy from start to finish. I've always wanted to work with Bart Sher. The piece is so good and audiences are loving it. It's like Cloud Nine.”

For more from Butz—and his feelings about never changing his name—watch the video!

PHOTO SPECIAL: Celebrating Two-Time Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz

Norbert Leo Butz and Marcy Harriell in <i>Rent</i> — PHOTO SPECIAL: Celebrating Two-Time Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz

Two-time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz celebrates his birthday January 30. Playbill.com looks back at his stage career thus far, dating back to his Broadway debut in *Rent*.
48 PHOTOS

Norbert Leo Butz and Jim Poulos in <i>Rent</i> — Norbert Leo Butz and Jim Poulos in *Rent*

Jim Poulos, Jacques C. Smith and Norbert Leo Butz

Norbert Leo Butz in the <i>Cabaret</i> tour — Norbert Leo Butz in the *Cabaret* tour

Norbert Leo Butz in <i>Thou Shalt Not</i> — Norbert Leo Butz in *Thou Shalt Not*

Norbert Leo Butz and Lauren Kennedy in the pre-New York run of <i>The Last Five Years</i> in Illinois — Norbert Leo Butz and Lauren Kennedy in the pre-New York run of *The Last Five Years* in Illinois

Lauren Kennedy and Norbert Leo Butz in the pre-New York run of <i>The Last Five Years</i> in Illinois — Lauren Kennedy and Norbert Leo Butz in the pre-New York run of *The Last Five Years* in Illinois

Norbert Leo Butz and Lauren Kennedy in <i>The Last Five Years</i> — Norbert Leo Butz and Lauren Kennedy in *The Last Five Years*

Norbert Leo Butz in <i>The Last Five Years</i> Off-Broadway — Norbert Leo Butz in *The Last Five Years* Off-Broadway

Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz in <i>The Last Five Years</i> Off-Broadway — Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz in *The Last Five Years* Off-Broadway

Joan Marcus

Norbert Leo Butz in <i>Wicked</i> — Norbert Leo Butz in *Wicked*

Norbert Leo Butz and Idina Menzel in <i>Wicked</i> — Norbert Leo Butz and Idina Menzel in *Wicked*

John Lithgow, Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz in <i>Dirty Rotten Scoundrels</i> — John Lithgow, Sherie Rene Scott and Norbert Leo Butz in *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*

Norbert Leo Butz and John Lithgow in <i>Dirty Rotten Scoundrels</i> — Norbert Leo Butz and John Lithgow in *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*

Norbert Leo Butz, John Lithgow and Sherie Rene Scott in <i>Dirty Rotten Scoundrels</i> — Norbert Leo Butz, John Lithgow and Sherie Rene Scott in *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*

Norbert Leo Butz, Sherie Rene Scott and John Lithgow in <i>Dirty Rotten Scoundrels</i> — Norbert Leo Butz, Sherie Rene Scott and John Lithgow in *Dirty Rotten Scoundrels*

Norbert Leo Butz and cast in <i>Is He Dead?</i> — Norbert Leo Butz and cast in *Is He Dead?*

Norbert Leo Butz in <i>Is He Dead?</i> — Norbert Leo Butz in *Is He Dead?*

Norbert Leo Butz, Jenn Gambatese, Byron Jennings and John McMartin in <i>Is He Dead?</i> — Norbert Leo Butz, Jenn Gambatese, Byron Jennings and John McMartin in *Is He Dead?*

John McMartin and Norbert Leo Butz in <i>Is He Dead?</i> — John McMartin and Norbert Leo Butz in *Is He Dead?*

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