Francis Jue Wins 2025 Tony for Featured Actor in a Play

Francis Jue has won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play at the 78th Annual Tony Awards, held at Radio City Music Hall on June 8.

Jue was recognized for his performance as HYH and other roles in David Henry Hwang's Yellow Face, which explores themes of identity, race, and representation. Jue first played the role in 2007 when Yellow Face ran Off-Broadway, and his return to the role on Broadway was been met with critical acclaim.

In his acceptance speech, Jue said he was wearing fellow actor Alvin Ing's tuxedo from the opening of Pacific Overtures in 1976: “He wanted me to wear it when I accepted my Tony Award. I’m only here because of the encouragement and inspiration of generations of wonderful Asian artists who came before me and never got the opportunity that I’ve had.” In Yellow Face, Jue plays a character who is targeted by the American government because of his race. Jue ended his speech by saying: “For those who don’t feel seen, for those being targeted in authoritarian times, I see you…and I hope that encourages you to be brave and dream big."

READ: To Daniel Dae Kim and Francis Jue, Yellow Face's Broadway Success Shows How Far Asian Americans Have Come

Others in the category included Glenn Davis (Purpose), Gabriel Ebert (John Proctor is the Villain), Bob Odenkirk (Glengarry Glen Ross), and Conrad Ricamora (Oh, Mary!).

Jue's Broadway credits also include Pacific Overtures, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and M. Butterfly.

READ: How to Watch and Stream the 2025 Tony Awards With or Without Cable

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