---
name: "Nathan Lane"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/nathan-lane"
fi1m_id: "nathan-lane"
imdb_id: "nm0001447"
tmdb_id: 78729
wikidata_id: "Q491264"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "3 February 1956"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-05T02:33:26.313158+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Nathan Lane

## Identity

Nathan Lane

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/nathan-lane
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** nathan-lane
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001447
- **TMDB ID:** 78729
- **Wikidata ID:** Q491264
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Lane, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q491264, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001447/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78729

Actor. Born 3 February 1956 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 3 February 1956, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
- **Active:** 1993–present
- **Also known as:** Натан Лейн, ناتان لین, Joseph Lane
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 10: 9 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Rob Minkoff](https://film.one/person/rob-minkoff.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 79 (5), 2000s 72 (2), 2010s 69 (2), 2020s 60 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 70 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 7, Family 4, Fantasy 3, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Drama 2
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,607m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Lane, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q491264, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001447/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/78729

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Lion King*](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md) (84)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Birdcage*](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md) (81)
- **Netflix:** [*Stuart Little*](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md) (66)
- **Tubi:** [*Beau Is Afraid*](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Nathan Lane

> Nathan Lane’s comic precision makes solemn films easier company, but his warmth can be suspect when a director asks it of him. We rate him for both, though the showman does not disappear easily.

In *The Lion King* (1994), Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella make Timon and Pumbaa a welcome interruption to the solemn family drama. We laughed with relief at their comic exchanges, because the film can be overbearing when it starts teaching lessons. Lane’s timing gives their apparent untidiness a precise rhythm. He makes room for Sabella, and editor Ivan Bilancio keeps their comedy moving briskly into the more serious passages. The speed helps, though some of the quieter feeling could use longer to settle.

The stage helps explain that precision: his breakthrough came as Nathan Detroit in the 1992 Broadway revival of *Guys and Dolls*. *The Birdcage* (1996) put him opposite Robin Williams as Albert Goldman, with room for humour and hurt. He played Bialystock in the 2001 stage musical *The Producers*, then returned to the part for the 2005 film. That background in farce matters when we watch him on screen: he can make an exchange seem unruly without losing control of its pace.

Ari Aster uses that reassuring manner to make Roger unsettling in *Beau Is Afraid* (2023). He and Amy Ryan, as Grace, are far too pleased to have Beau in their house. Crombie surrounds them with pastel colours, leaving Beau in borrowed grey looking conspicuously out of place. Lane makes the hospitality uncomfortable without discarding its friendliness, so that accepting help begins to seem unwise. This is the film’s best-written stretch, though these performances cannot prevent the story from losing its shape elsewhere.

We would not ask Lane to keep all that comic energy out of sight. His gentility and readiness to entertain can be difficult to suppress in a straight dramatic role, but a director can put them to work rather than fight them. Sabella gives him another comic performer to work with; Ryan makes the same friendliness harder to trust. Start with *The Lion King*; approach *Beau Is Afraid* prepared for a good supporting performance in a film that asks for considerably more patience.

## Biography

Nathan Lane is an American actor born Joseph Lane on 3 February 1956 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He has worked in theatre, film and television since the late 1970s.

Lane is known for his Broadway performances in productions including *A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum*, *The Producers* and *Angels in America*. His film roles include Timon in *The Lion King* (1994) and its sequels, Snowbell in *Stuart Little* (1999), and Roger in *Beau Is Afraid* (2023). On television he has appeared as Pepper Saltzman in *Modern Family* and in *Only Murders in the Building*.

He has received three Tony Awards, three Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Lane married Devlin Elliott in 2015.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.*

## On Fi1m (10)

### Performed in (9) — the average rests on these

- *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), Fi1m 60, as Roger — [page](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md)
- *American Crime Story* (2016), Fi1m 78, as F. Lee Bailey — [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md)
- *30 Rock* (2006), Fi1m 86, as Eddie — [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Austin Powers in Goldmember* (2002), Fi1m 58, as Mysterious Disco Man — [page](https://film.one/film/austin-powers-in-goldmember.md)
- *Stuart Little* (1999), Fi1m 66, as Snowbell (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md)
- *The Birdcage* (1996), Fi1m 81, as Albert — [page](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md)
- *The Lion King* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Timon (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md)
- *Addams Family Values* (1993), Fi1m 78, as Desk Sergeant — [page](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md)
- *Frasier* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Phil — [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *I'm Still Here* (2010), Fi1m 60, as Nathan Lane (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/im-still-here-2010.md)

## Complete filmography (85)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Mid-Century Modern* (2025), series, as Bunny Schneiderman · Executive Producer
- *Spellbound* (2024), as Luno - Oracle of the Moon (voice)
- *Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story* (2024), series, as Dominick Dunne
- *Elsbeth* (2024), series, as Phillip Cross
- *Dicks: The Musical* (2023), as Harris
- *Once Upon a Studio* (2023), as Timon (voice)
- *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), as Roger — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md)
- *Digman!* (2023), series, as Yorbo (voice)
- *The Gilded Age* (2022), series, as Ward McAllister
- *Only Murders in the Building* (2021), series, as Teddy Dimas — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md)
- *Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens* (2020), as Giacomo
- *Penny Dreadful: City of Angels* (2020), series, as Lewis Michener
- *The Vanishing of Sidney Hall* (2018), as Harold
- *National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part Two: Perestroika* (2017), as Roy M. Cohn/The Angel Antarctica
- *National Theatre Live: Angels In America — Part One: Millennium Approaches* (2017), as Roy M. Cohn/Prior 2
- *Carrie Pilby* (2017), as Dr. Petrov
- *No Pay, Nudity* (2016), as Hershel Thalkin
- *American Crime Story* (2016), series, as F. Lee Bailey — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/american-crime-story.md)
- *Difficult People* (2015), series, as Nathan Lane
- *The Nance* (2014), as Chauncey Miles
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Abraham Stern — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *The English Teacher* (2013), as Carl Kapinas
- *Mirror Mirror* (2012), as Brighton
- *The Nutcracker* (2010), as Uncle Albert
- *I'm Still Here* (2010), as Nathan Lane (uncredited) — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/im-still-here-2010.md)
- *Astro Boy* (2009), as Hamegg (voice)
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Pepper Saltzman — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Clarke Hayden — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa* (2008), as Officer Meany
- *Swing Vote* (2008), as Art Crumb
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Eddie — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *The Dish on Dolls* (2006), as Stagehand in Jacqueline Susann's Valley of the Dolls (archive footage)
- *The Producers* (2005), as Max Bialystock
- *The Lion King 1½* (2004), as Timon (voice)
- *Broadway's Lost Treasures II* (2004), as Nathan Detroit (segment "Guys & Dolls")
- *Timon & Pumbaa Virtual Safari 2.0* (2004), as Timon (voice)
- *Behind the Legend: Timon* (2004), as Timon (voice)
- *Timon & Pumbaa's Virtual Safari 1.5* (2004), as Timon (voice)
- *Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!* (2004), as Richard Levy the Driven
- *Teacher's Pet* (2004), as Spot Helperman / Scott Leadready II / Scott Manly-Manning (voice)
- *Charlie Lawrence* (2003), series, as Charlie Lawrence
- *Nicholas Nickleby* (2002), as Vincent Crummles
- *Austin Powers in Goldmember* (2002), as Mysterious Disco Man — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/austin-powers-in-goldmember.md)
- *Stuart Little 2* (2002), as Snowbell (voice)
- *Laughter on the 23rd Floor* (2001), as Max
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Nathan Lane — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *The Man Who Came to Dinner* (2000), as Sheridan Whiteside
- *Teacher's Pet* (2000), series, as Spot Helperman / Scott Leadready II (voice)
- *Trixie* (2000), as Kirk Stans
- *Titan A.E.* (2000), as Preed (voice)
- *Love's Labour's Lost* (2000), as Costard
- *Isn't She Great* (2000), as Irving Mansfield
- *Stuart Little* (1999), as Snowbell (voice) — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/stuart-little.md)
- *George and Martha* (1999), series, as George (voice)
- *At First Sight* (1999), as Phil Webster
- *The Lion King II: Simba's Pride* (1998), as Timon (voice)
- *Encore! Encore!* (1998), series, as Joseph Pinoni
- *Sex and the City* (1998), series, as Bobby Fine
- *Merry Christmas, George Bailey* (1997), as Clarence
- *MouseHunt* (1997), as Ernie Smuntz
- *Around the World With Timon & Pumbaa* (1996), as Timon 2 (voice)
- *The Birdcage* (1996), as Albert — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md)
- *The Boys Next Door* (1996), as Norman Bulansky
- *The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True* (1995), as The Cowardly Lion
- *Jeffrey* (1995), as Father Dan
- *Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable* (1995), as Timon
- *The Lion King* (1994), as Timon (voice) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lion-king.md)
- *Addams Family Values* (1993), as Desk Sergeant — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md)
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Phil — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Life with Mikey* (1993), as Ed Chapman
- *The Last Mile* (1992), as The Stage Manager
- *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Nathan Twilley
- *Unnatural Pursuits* (1992), as Limo Passenger
- *Frankie and Johnny* (1991), as Tim
- *He Said, She Said* (1991), as Wallace "Wally" Thurman
- *Joe Versus the Volcano* (1990), as Baw - The Waponi Advance Man
- *The Lemon Sisters* (1989), as Charlie Sorrell
- *Ironweed* (1987), as Harold Allen
- *The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd* (1987), series, as Herman in Fantasy Sequence, Bing Shalimar
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Morty Price — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Alice in Wonderland* (1983), as Mouse
- *One of the Boys* (1982), series, as Jonathan Burns
- *Live from Lincoln Center* (1976), series, as Chauncey Miles
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Mouse
- *Cut Off*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Megan Mullally (center foreground) - Julia Budder Micah Stock (left, bowing) - Gus Nathan Lane (center back) - James Wicker F. Murray Abraham (right back) - Ira](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-67dcce38ffb7.jpg) Megan Mullally (center foreground) - Julia Budder Micah Stock (left, bowing) - Gus Nathan Lane (center back) - James Wicker F. Murray Abraham (right back) - Ira — Ralph Daily, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/It%27s_Only_a_Play_Gerald_Schoenfeld_at_the_Theatre_New_York%2C_New_York_December_21%2C_2014_Matinee_01.jpg/1280px-It%27s_Only_a_Play_Gerald_Schoenfeld_at_the_Theatre_New_York%2C_New_York_December_21%2C_2014_Matinee_01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![F. Murray Abraham (center front) - Ira Drew Rupert Grint (extreme left) - Frank Finger Stockard Channing (left rear, obscured) - Virginia Noyes Nathan Lane (cen](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-f03a9ad94a52.jpg) F. Murray Abraham (center front) - Ira Drew Rupert Grint (extreme left) - Frank Finger Stockard Channing (left rear, obscured) - Virginia Noyes Nathan Lane (cen — Ralph Daily, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/It%27s_Only_a_Play_Gerald_Schoenfeld_at_the_Theatre_New_York%2C_New_York_December_21%2C_2014_Matinee_02.jpg/1280px-It%27s_Only_a_Play_Gerald_Schoenfeld_at_the_Theatre_New_York%2C_New_York_December_21%2C_2014_Matinee_02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![(L to R) Rupert Grint - Frank Finger Stockard Channing - Virginia Noyes Matthew Broderick - Peter Austin Megan Mullally - Julia Budder Nathan Lane - James Wicke](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-473a5179c3de.jpg) (L to R) Rupert Grint - Frank Finger Stockard Channing - Virginia Noyes Matthew Broderick - Peter Austin Megan Mullally - Julia Budder Nathan Lane - James Wicke — Ralph Daily, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/It%27s_Only_a_Play_Gerald_Schoenfeld_at_the_Theatre_New_York%2C_New_York_December_21%2C_2014_Matinee_03.jpg/1280px-It%27s_Only_a_Play_Gerald_Schoenfeld_at_the_Theatre_New_York%2C_New_York_December_21%2C_2014_Matinee_03.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Nathan Lane after Angels in America (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-945355c1d62e.jpg) Nathan Lane after Angels in America (2018) — Btvway, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/NathanLane2018.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Nathan Lane](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-d521e85532ea.jpg) Nathan Lane — Image via TMDB
- ![Nathan Lane](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-d6efc2c198d4.jpg) Nathan Lane — Image via TMDB
- ![Nathan Lane](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-24d56115fbac.jpg) Nathan Lane — Image via TMDB
- ![Nathan Lane](https://film.one/media/person/18499/gallery-3603687a1ec2.jpg) Nathan Lane — Btvway, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/NathanLane2018_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Other awards — 5 won, 2 nominated

- Drama League Award 2013: Drama League Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2013: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Drama League Award 2010: Drama League Award (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 2001: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1996: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1992: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor 1991: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/nathan-lane