The Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical was an annual award given to the best actor in a musical on Broadway or Off-Broadway, as determined by Outer Critics Circle. The award was named as "Best Actor in a Musical" until 1999.
The award was preceded by an award for Best Performance, but the newly gendered award for musical performance was first given out the 1987âÂÂ1988 season through the season. The award was retired in 2022 and replaced by Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical and Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical in gender-neutral performance categories.
Nathan Lane held the record for most wins in the category, with three, with both Martin Short and Danny Burstein close behind with two wins each. Lane and Michael Cerveris have received the most nominations, with four each.