Harvey Fierstein is currently back on Broadway in his Tony Award-winning role as 'Edna Turnblad' in "Hairspray," which ends its 6.5 year run at the Neil Simon Theatre on January 4, 2009. Fierstein made his debut at the La Mama Experimental Theater Club in 1971 in Andy Warhol’s only play, Pork. He followed that with appearances in more than 60 Off Off Broadway plays, writing and performing in many of his own productions. His Torch Song Trilogy opened Off Off Broadway in 1980, transferred Off Broadway in 1981 and then went on to Broadway. For that three-act, Fierstein won two Tony Awards, two Drama Desk Awards, an Obie Award and a Dramatist Guild Award. Torch Song Trilogy was also nominated for the Olivier. Fierstein won his third Tony Award for the book of La Cage aux Folles. His other plays include Safe Sex, Spookhouse and Forget Him. He has appeared in 30 films, including Independence Day, Mrs. Doubtfire and Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway. His television appearances have included stints on “Ellen,” “Common Ground” (which he also co-wrote) and “Cheers,” for which he received an Emmy nomination. Fierstein also provided the voice of Homer Simpson’s executive secretary on “The Simpsons” and he is a regular commentator on PBS’s “In the Life.” His children’s book, “The Sissy Duckling,” (Simon & Schuster) garnered an Ace Award. For his performance as Edna Turnblad in the smash hit musical Hairspray, Mr. Fierstein received the 2003 Drama Desk Award (Best Actor in a Musical), Drama League Award (Outstanding Performance of the Year) and New York Magazine Award. He also received the 2003 Tony Award (Best Actor in a Musical), making him only the second person in history to win Tonys in four different categories. Mr. Fierstein also appeared on Broadway as Tevye in the record-breaking revival of Fiddler on the Roof and he recently returned to Broadway in the new musical, A Catered Affair, for which he wrote the book.

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