The Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play was an annual award given to the best actor in a non-musical play on Broadway or Off-Broadway, as determined by Outer Critics Circle. The award was first given out in 1977, preceded by a "Best Performance" category.
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 Play and Outstanding Lead Performer in an Off-Broadway Play in gender-neutral performance categories.
Frank Langella holds the record for most wins in the category, receiving three awards, followed closely by Judd Hirsch, Nathan Lane, Kevin Kline and Bryan Cranston with two wins each. Langella also leads the nomination totals with five nominations, followed by Nathan Lane and BrÃÂan F. O'Byrne with four nominations each.