78th Tony Awards: Will Cole Escola Win Best Leading Actor in a Play?
78th Tony Awards: Will Cole Escola Win Best Leading Actor in a Play?
Almost every male theater star dreams of one day accepting the award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play at the Tony Awards.
Many of the most respected actors to have appeared on Broadway have earned the honor, such as Rex Harrison, James Earl Jones, Al Pacino, Ian McKellen, Denzel Washington, Bryan Cranston, and, most recently, Jeremy Strong.
This year’s nominees hope to follow in the above actors’ footsteps by picking up the accolade at the 78th Tony Awards.
While six actors are in the running for the award, many believe Cole Escola will win this year. Keep reading to learn if he will pick up Best Leading Actor in a Play at the ceremony on June 8, 2025.
LEADERBOARD
78th Tony Awards: Predicting Best Leading Actor in a Play
| # | Bet Options | Chance to Win | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implied Projected Winner Cole Escola - Oh, Mary! Wins - Yes | 39.6% | ||
| Implied Projected Winner George Clooney - Good Night, and Good Luck Wins - Yes | 7.62% | ||
| Implied Projected Winner Denzel Washington - Othello Wins - Yes | 6.5% |
The trajectory of the odds for this BEO bet indicates it is most probable Cole Escola will win Best Leading Actor in a Play at the Tony Awards 2025 ::: Discover the latest Bet Entertainment Odds predictions for this market.
Who Are the Nominees for Best Leading Actor in a Play?
On May 1, 2025, Tony Award winners Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce announced the following nominees for Best Leading Actor in a Play at the 78th Tony Awards:
- Jon Michael Hill – Purpose
- George Clooney – Good Night, and Good Luck
- Cole Escola – Oh, Mary
- Harry Lennix – Purpose
- Daniel Dae Kim – Yellow Face
- Louis McCartney – Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Cole Escola is the Frontrunner
Cole Escola established himself as a Broadway star over the past year, delivering an impressive performance as First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln in the critically acclaimed play Oh, Mary!
Escola wrote and starred in the play, which originally ran at the Lucille Lortel Theatre off-Broadway before its transfer to Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre on April 24, 2024.
The theatrical production has proven a hit with audiences, resulting in its extension multiple times to cater to demand.
Thanks to Escola’s unforgettable performance and playwriting talents, he featured in the TIME 100 Next list in 2024, and the play was a Pulitzer Prize for Drama finalist.
While Escola has since taken his final bow in the play, he’s the firm frontrunner to win Best Leading Actor in a Play at the 78th Tony Awards.
Jon Michael Hill Could Win
Jon Michael Hill (Elementary) proved his talents extend beyond TV, as he has wowed audiences in the Broadway play Purpose, earning him his second Tony Award nomination.
The versatile actor first earned a Tony nomination for Superior Donuts in 2010, but 2025 could prove second time lucky.
Critics have praised Jon Michael Hill’s performance as the lead Nazareth “Naz” Jasper in Purpose, which debuted at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater before transferring to Broadway’s Helen Hayes Theatre in 2024.
However, he will face competition in the category from his co-star Harry Lennix, who has also received a nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Play for his performance as Solomon “Sonny” Jasper.
Daniel Dae Kim is a Strong Contender
Daniel Dae Kim has already made Tony Award history, as he is the first Asian American to receive a nomination for Best Leading Actor in a Play at the iconic ceremony.
He’s a strong contender for the accolade, as he delivered a fantastic performance of Hwang in Yellowface, which has been praised for its themes of representation and identity.
Also, the play has received numerous nominations this year, suggesting it’s popular with voters, which could lead to him picking up the award.
If you believe Daniel Dae Kim (Yellowface) will win Best Leading Actor in a Play at the Tony Awards 2025, you could win $1809 by betting $100 if it happens.
