Michael Crawford

Michael Crawford, an English actor, comedian, and singer, has had a multifaceted career spanning film, television, and stage. Crawford's debut on Broadway was in Peter Shaffer's "Black Comedy" in 1967, and he further showcased his talents in the film adaptation of the musical "Hello, Dolly!" alongside Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau. His versatility was further demonstrated when he portrayed the White Rabbit in the film "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and starred in the musical "Billy" in 1974, which had 904 West End performances. His dedication to his craft was evident when he performed all of his own stunts in the BBC television series "Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em," never using a double.

His performance as P. T. Barnum in the original London production of "Barnum" in 1981 earned him his first Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Crawford's endurance and passion were demonstrated in one of the longest runs by a leading actor in the role of the Phantom in the musical "The Phantom of the Opera," performing over 1,300 times in London, Broadway, and Los Angeles. His performance in this role brought him multiple awards, including an Olivier Award, a Tony Award, a New York Drama Desk Award, and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award. Crawford's contribution to the music industry is also notable, with several studio albums to his credit, including "Songs from the Stage and Screen," "With Love / The Phantom Unmasked," and "Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber."

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Crawford is well-known for his philanthropic efforts, including being a patron of the Lighthosue Foundation in Australia, an effort to end youth homelessness. Since 1987, he has been the public face and president of the British social cause organization, the Sick Children's Trust He has also been honored with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1988 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for his services to children's charities.