This Is What the 1996 Tony Awards Looked Like

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The 1996 Tony Awards

Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

On June 2, 1996, stars descended on New York City’s Majestic Theatre for the 50th Annual Tony Awards. The night was led by Best Actress in a Musical Winner Donna Murphy (The King and I), Best Actor in a Musical Winner Nathan Lane (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Best Actress in a Play Winner Zoe Caldwell (Master Class), and Best Actor in a Play winner George Grizzard (A Delicate Balance). With this year’s ceremony fast approaching, see photos from over two decades prior, ahead.

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Presenter Matthew Broderick and Then-Girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker

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Performer and Presenter Liza Minnelli

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Continued on next slide.

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Presenter John Rubinstein and Bebe Neuwirth

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Presenter Diahann Carroll

Ron Galella/WireImage

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Presenter Jane Seymour

Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

Continued on next slide.

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Joan Allen

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Presenter Christine Baranski and Sigourney Weaver

Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage

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Presenter Gregory Hines and Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Savion Glover (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk)

Ron Galella/WireImage

Continued on next slide.

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Best Featured Actress in a Play Winner Audra McDonald (Master Class)

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

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Presenter and performer Bernadette Peters and Then-Husband Michael Wittenberg

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Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, Liza Minnelli, Savion Glover, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and Jane Seymour

Ron Galella/WireImage

Continued on next slide.

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Presenters Eli Wallach and Hume Cronyn

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Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Adam Pascal (Rent) and Julie Fishe

Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

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Carol Channing

Ron Galella/WireImage

Continued on next slide.

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Leslie Uggams

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Barnard Hughes

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Best Featured Actor in a Musical Winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Rent)

Ron Galella/WireImage

Continued on next slide.

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Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Lou Diamond Phillips (The King and I) and Then-Wife Kelly Phillips

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This Is What the 1996 Tony Awards Looked Like

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The 1996 Tony Awards

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Presenter Matthew Broderick and Then-Girlfriend Sarah Jessica Parker

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Performer and Presenter Liza Minnelli

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Presenter John Rubinstein and Bebe Neuwirth

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Presenter Diahann Carroll

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Presenter Jane Seymour

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Joan Allen

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Presenter Christine Baranski and Sigourney Weaver

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Presenter Gregory Hines and Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Savion Glover (Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk)

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Best Featured Actress in a Play Winner Audra McDonald (Master Class)

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Presenter and performer Bernadette Peters and Then-Husband Michael Wittenberg

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Bernadette Peters, Nathan Lane, Liza Minnelli, Savion Glover, Andrew Lloyd Weber, and Jane Seymour

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Presenters Eli Wallach and Hume Cronyn

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Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Adam Pascal (Rent) and Julie Fishe

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Carol Channing

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Leslie Uggams

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Barnard Hughes

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Best Featured Actor in a Musical Winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Rent)

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Best Actor in a Musical Nominee Lou Diamond Phillips (The King and I) and Then-Wife Kelly Phillips

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