20 Entertainers Who Rejected Major Awards

Who, exactly, was John Adams supporting? That was essentially William Daniels’ objection when Tony voters placed him in the Featured Actor category for 1776. Anyone familiar with the musical knew that Adams was hardly lingering around the edges of the story. He drives the debate over American independence, dominates large stretches of the stage, and serves as the production’s central character. Broadway’s billing rules, however, contributed to Daniels being classified as a featured performer in 1969 because his name appeared below the title. Rather than accept a nomination in a category he considered inaccurate, the actor withdrew.