Harvey Fierstein

Harvey Fierstein, an actor, playwright, and screenwriter, is renowned for his unique, gravelly voice. His career has seen him take on manifold roles, from portraying Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray," for which he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, to voicing Yao in the films "Mulan" and "Mulan II." Fierstein has also appeared in films such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Independence Day," while his voice has brought characters to life in video games such as "Kingdom Hearts II" and popular TV shows like "The Simpsons."

Fierstein's knack for storytelling extends beyond acting, as he has penned the books for Tony Award-winning musicals like "Kinky Boots" and "Newsies" as well as the Drama League Award-winning "A Catered Affair." His work on the teleplay for "The Wiz Live!" and "Hairspray Live!" further showcases his writing prowess. In 2019, he wrote and starred in "Bella Bella," a solo monologue play about New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug. His memoir, "I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir," released in March 2022, became a New York Times Bestseller, underscoring his talent as a writer.

Fierstein's contributions to theatre have been widely recognized, earning him induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2007 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016. His accolades include multiple Tony Awards for works such as "Torch Song Trilogy" and "La Cage aux Folles," a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his role in "Cheers," and the Humanitas Prize for Children's Animation for "The Sissy Duckling." Fierstein's work has not only been appreciated for its artistic merit but also for its influence, as evidenced by his honor at the VH1 Trailblazer Honors in 2016.