VideoBen Vereen Tells Kelly Clarkson He Didn't Know About the Tonys Until He Was Nominated for One
The Tony-winning Broadway veteran was first nominated for creating the role of Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar.
By
Leah Putnam
September 12, 2022
Tony winner Ben Vereen shared with American Idol winner and talkshow host Kelly Clarkson that he was unaware of the Tony Awards until he was first nominated for his performance as Judas Iscariot in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972.
The self-described "kid from Brooklyn" said he had his head down concentrating in his work and how winning awards were not his goal. Vereen also spoke about how he first got into the arts by attending Manhattan's High School for the Performing Arts. He recalled auditioning for a spot at the famed school and doing a dance—not knowing he was performing it for Martha Graham and George Balanchine.
Watch the Broadway veteran's full interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show above.
Vereen won the the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in the original Broadway production of Pippin. His many other Broadway credits include Hair, Grind, Jelly's Last Jam, Fosse, I'm Not Rappaport, and Wicked.
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Look Back at Song and Dance Legend Ben Vereen On the Stage
Look Back at Song and Dance Legend Ben Vereen On the Stage
Vereen won a Tony Award for Pippin in 1973.
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Ben Vereen
Gerome Ragni, Ben Vereen, Bert Sommers, Rhonda Ogelsby Coulet, Jennifer Warnes, Willie Weatherly, Teda Bracci, Jobriath, James Rado, Elaine Hill, Delores Hall, Denise Delapenna and Greg Arlin, LA production of Hair at the Aquarius Theatre, 1969
Jay Thompson
Carolyn Hill, Ben Vereen, Gloria Jones and Delores Hall in the LA production of Hair at the Aquarius Theatre, 1969
Ben Vereen, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Bud Vest in the film Sweet Charity, 1969
Universal Pictures
Ben Vereen and Jeff Fenholt in rehearsal for Jesus Christ Superstar, 1971
The new institution will honor multiple honorees, with separate dimmings reserved for those a committee designates as having had a significant and lasting impact on Broadway.
