Kevin Kline is an American actor known for his performances in film, television and the stage. He is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award, an Actor Award, and three Tony Awards, as well as nominations for two British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), six Golden Globes, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Beginning his career on stage in 1972 with The Acting Company, Kline went on to win three Tony Awards: Best Featured Actor in a Musical for playing the romantic lead in the original production of On the Twentieth Century (1978), Best Actor in a Musical for playing The Pirate King in the revival of The Pirates of Penzance (1981), and Best Actor in a Play for playing a self-obsessed actor in the revival of the Noël Coward's play Present Laughter (2017). He was also Tony-nominated for his portrayal of Sir John Falstaff in the Shakespearean play Henry IV (2004). For his work on the stage, he has also been honored with four Drama Desk Awards, a Lucille Lortel Award, an Obie Award, and two Outer Critics Circle Awards.
Kline made his film debut in the psychological drama Sophie's Choice (1982), a role that earned him nominations for the BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer and the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year. He was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performances as a soap opera star in the comedy Soapdish (1991), a dual role as president and impersonator in the political comedy Dave (1993), a teacher outed by his student in the comedy In & Out (1997), and Cole Porter in the musical biopic De-Lovely (2004). He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for playing a volatile con artist in the heist comedy film A Fish Called Wanda (1988), for which he was also nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
For his work on television, Kline won the Actor Award for Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie for the HBO romance film As You Like It (2006). He received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for playing the title role in the PBS made-for-television adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac (2008), and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for playing the wealthy landlord Mr. Fischoeder in the Fox animated sitcom Bob's Burgers (2011–present).
Major associations Academy Awards Year Category Nominated work Result 1989 Best Supporting Actor A Fish Called Wanda
Actor Awards Year Category Nominated work Result 2002 Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role Life as a House 2008 Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie As You Like It 2010 Cyrano de Bergerac 2025Disclaimer
BAFTA Awards Year Category Nominated work Result British Academy Film Awards 1984 Most Promising Newcomer Sophie's Choice 1989 Best Actor in a Leading Role A Fish Called Wanda
Emmy Awards Primetime Emmy Awards Year Category Nominated work Result 2009 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Cyrano de Bergerac 2017 Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Bob's Burgers ("The Last Gingerbread House on the Left")
Golden Globes Year Category Nominated work Result 1983 New Star of the Year – Actor Sophie's Choice 1992 Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy Soapdish 1994 Dave 1998 In & Out 2005 De-Lovely 2025 Best Actor in a Limited Series or Television Film Disclaimer
Tony Awards Year Category Nominated work Result 1978 Best Featured Actor in a Musical On the Twentieth Century 1981 Best Actor in a Musical The Pirates of Penzance 2004 Best Actor in a Play Henry IV 2017 Present Laughter
Other theatre awards + Award Year Category Nominated work Result Drama Desk Awards 1978 Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical On the Twentieth Century 1981 Outstanding Actor in a Musical 1986 Outstanding Actor in a Play Hamlet 1991 Outstanding Director of a Play Outstanding Actor in a Play 2004 Henry IV 2008 Cyrano de Bergerac 2017 Present Laughter Drama League Awards 2017 Distinguished Performance Lucille Lortel Awards 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award Obie Awards 1986 Sustained Excellence of Performance Outer Critics Circle Awards 2004 Outstanding Actor in a Play Henry IV 2008 Cyrano de Bergerac 2017 Present Laughter
Miscellaneous awards + Award Year Category Nominated work Result American Comedy Awards 1989 Funniest Actor in a Motion Picture (Leading Role) 1992 Soapdish 1994 Dave 1996 French Kiss Blockbuster Entertainment Awards 1998 Favorite Actor – Comedy In & Out 2000 Favorite Action Team (with Will Smith) Wild Wild West Critics' Choice Awards 2007 Best Acting Ensemble (with the cast) 2025 Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television Disclaimer DVD Exclusive Awards 2003 Best Animated Character Performance Golden Raspberry Awards 2000 Worst Actor Wild Wild West Worst Supporting Actress (as a prostitute) Worst Screen Couple (with Will Smith) Gotham Awards 1997 Actor Award 2006 Best Ensemble Cast (with the cast) Hasty Pudding Theatricals Awards 1998 Man of the Year London Film Critics' Circle Awards 1999 Actor of the Year / In & Out MTV Movie & TV Awards 1998 Best Kiss (with Tom Selleck) In & Out Munich Film Festival Awards 2007 CineMerit Award Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2001 Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie Satellite Awards 1998 Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical In & Out 2005 De-Lovely St. Louis International Film Festival Awards 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award Stinkers Bad Movie Awards 2000 Worst Actor Wild Wild West Worst On-Screen Couple (with Will Smith) 2007 Most Annoying Fake Accent (Male) The Pink Panther
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