{{Short description|English actor (born 1942)}} {{for|other people named Michael Crawford|Michael Crawford (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Use British English|date=March 2012}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael Crawford | image = Michael Crawford 2025 (cropped).jpg | caption = Crawford in 2025 | birth_name = Michael Patrick Smith | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1942|1|19}} | birth_place = Salisbury, Wiltshire, England | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|singer|stuntman}} | years_active = 1955–present | known_for = {{Ubl | ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'', | ''The Phantom of the Opera'', | ''Hello, Dolly!'' }} | spouse = {{marriage|Gabrielle Lewis|1965|1975|end=divorced}}<br>Natasha MacAller | children = 3 | website = {{URL|mcifa.com}} }} '''Michael Patrick Smith''' (born 19 January 1942),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Mike |date=January 19, 2023 |title=Today's famous birthdays list for January 19, 2023 includes celebrities Dolly Parton, Jodie Sweetin |url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2023/01/todays-famous-birthdays-list-for-january-19-2023-includes-celebrities-dolly-parton-jodie-sweetin.html |access-date=January 19, 2023 |website=Cleveland.com}}</ref> known professionally as '''Michael Crawford''', is an English actor, comedian and singer.
Crawford is best known for playing the hapless Frank Spencer in the sitcom ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'', Cornelius Hackl in the musical film ''Hello, Dolly!'', and the titular character in the stage musical ''The Phantom of the Opera''. His acclaimed performance in the last of these earned him both the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical and Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.<ref name="Trust"/> He has received international critical acclaim and won numerous awards during his acting career, which has included many film and television performances as well as stage work on both London's West End and on New York's Broadway.
Crawford has also published the autobiography ''Parcel Arrived Safely: Tied With String''. Since 1987, he has served as the leader and public face for the British social cause organisation the Sick Children's Trust.<ref name="Trust">{{cite web |website=BroadwayWorld.com |title=Michael Crawford to Host Afternoon Tea in Cambridge for Sick Children's Trust |date=6 September 2015 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Michael-Crawford-to-Host-Afternoon-Tea-in-Cambridge-for-Sick-Childrens-Trust-20150906 |access-date=28 March 2018 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209035757/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Michael-Crawford-to-Host-Afternoon-Tea-in-Cambridge-for-Sick-Childrens-Trust-20150906 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Early life and education== Crawford was brought up by his mother, Doris Agnes Mary Pike, and her parents, Montague Pike and his wife, Edith (née Keefe or O'Keefe), in what Crawford described as a "close-knit Roman Catholic family". His maternal grandmother was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, and lived to be 99 years old.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.mcifa.com/parcel2.cfm |title=Michael Crawford International Fan Association |website=www.mcifa.com |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821044045/http://www.mcifa.com/parcel2.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref> His mother's first husband, Arthur Dumbell "Smudge" Smith,<ref>{{cite web |title=Battle of Britain London Monument |url=http://www.bbm.org.uk/SmithAD.htm|access-date=12 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923182857/http://www.bbm.org.uk/SmithAD.htm|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> who was not his biological father, was killed, aged 22, on 6 September 1940 during the Battle of Britain, less than a year after they married.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2436079/ |title=Casualty Details | CWGC |website=www.cwgc.org}}</ref><ref>''Phantom: Michael Crawford Unmasked'', Anthony Hayward (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1991)</ref> Sixteen months after Smith's death, Michael was born, the result of a short-lived relationship. His widowed mother gave her son her married surname, that of her late husband.
During his early years, Crawford divided his time between the army camp in Wiltshire, where he and his mother lived during the war, and the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. The isle was where his mother had grown up and where Crawford would later live with his mother and maternal grandparents. He attended St Michael's, a Catholic school in Bexleyheath which was run by nuns. Crawford later described them as not being shy in their use of corporal punishment.
At the end of the Second World War, his mother remarried, to grocer Lionel Dennis "Den" Ingram. The family moved to Herne Hill<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramirez |first1=Isabel |title=Southwark Blue Plaque nominees: Comedian Michael Crawford aka Frank Spencer grew up in Herne Hill |url=https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/southwark-blue-plaque-nominee-comedian-michael-crawford-aka-frank-spencer-grew-up-in-herne-hill/ |website=Southwark News |date=14 January 2023 |access-date=25 April 2023 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112195924/https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/southwark-blue-plaque-nominee-comedian-michael-crawford-aka-frank-spencer-grew-up-in-herne-hill/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in London, where Crawford attended Oakfield Preparatory School, Dulwich. There he was known as Michael Ingram. According to him, his mother's second husband was abusive.<ref name="auto"/>
==Acting career== ===Career beginnings=== Crawford made his first stage appearance in the role of Sammy the Little Sweep in his school production of Benjamin Britten's ''Let's Make an Opera'', conducted by Donald Mitchell.<ref name=Mitchell28>Donald Mitchell, Philip Reed and Mervyn Cooke (eds) ''Letters from a Life: Selected Letters of Benjamin Britten, Vol 3, 1946–1951''. Faber and Faber, London, 2004, p. 28. {{ISBN|978-0571222827}}.</ref> It was transferred to Brixton Town Hall in London. He auditioned, unsuccessfully, for the role of Miles in Britten's ''The Turn of the Screw'' – the role was given to another boy soprano, David Hemmings. But Crawford's audition so impressed Britten that in 1955 he hired him to play Sammy, alternating with David Hemmings, in another production of ''Let's Make an Opera'', this time at the Scala Theatre in London.<ref name=mitchell27>Mitchell (2004): p. 27</ref> Credited as Michael Ingram, singing the role of Gay Brook, he participated in a recording of the opera made that same year, conducted by the composer.<ref name=mitchell27/><ref>Booklet details from Decca 436 393–2</ref>
In 1958, Crawford was hired by the English Opera Group in the role of Jaffet in ''Noye's Fludde'', Britten's setting of the Chester miracle play of the Genesis flood narrative.<ref name=Mitchell28/> Crawford remembers that it was while working in this production that he realised he seriously wanted to become an actor. It was in between performances of ''Let's Make an Opera'' and ''Noye's Fludde'' that he was advised to change his name, "to avoid confusion with a television newsman called Michael Ingram[s] who was registered with British Equity".<ref name="parcel"/> He adopted Crawford.
Crawford performed in a wide repertoire. Among his stage work, he performed in André Birabeau's French comedy ''Head of the Family (Dame Nature)'', Neil Simon's ''Come Blow Your Horn'', Bernard Kops's ''Change for the Angel'', Francis Swann's ''Out of the Frying Pan'', Shakespeare's ''Julius Caesar'', ''Coriolanus'', and ''Twelfth Night'', Oscar Wilde's ''The Importance of Being Earnest'', ''The Striplings'', ''The Move After Checkmate'' and others.
In the same period, he appeared in hundreds of BBC radio broadcasts and early television series, such as ''Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School'', ''Emergency - Ward 10'', ''Probation Officer'', and ''Two Living, One Dead''. He appeared as the cabin boy John Drake in the television series ''Sir Francis Drake'', a 26-part adventure series made by ITC starring Terence Morgan and Jean Kent. He made his film debut in 1958 with leading roles in two children's films, ''Blow Your Own Trumpet'' and ''Soapbox Derby'', for the Children's Film Foundation in Britain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Herincx |first=Gareth |title=Entertainment: Crawford comes clean |work=BBC News |date=16 September 1999 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/448037.stm |access-date=2 September 2014 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112195932/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/448037.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1961, Crawford appeared in an episode of ''One Step Beyond'' called "The Villa", in which he played a character experimenting with strobe lights. Crawford appears in the only surviving episode of the 1960 British crime series ''Police Surgeon'' alongside Ian Hendry. This series would spawn the much better-known ''The Avengers''.
===Early adult career=== At age nineteen, Crawford was approached to play an American, Junior Sailen, in the film ''The War Lover'' (1962), which starred Steve McQueen. To prepare for the role, he would spend hours listening to Woody Woodbury, a famous American comedian of the time, to try to perfect an American accent. After ''The War Lover'', Crawford briefly returned to the stage. After playing the lead role in the 1963 British film ''Two Left Feet'', he was offered a role in the British television series, ''Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life'', as the Mod-style, tough-talking, motor-scooter riding Byron.
It was this character that attracted film director Richard Lester to hire him for the role of Colin in ''The Knack ...and How to Get It'' in 1965. The film was a huge success in the UK.
Lester also cast Crawford in the film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical, ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'', and in ''How I Won the War'', starring Roy Kinnear and John Lennon. (During filming Crawford lived in London with Lennon and his first wife Cynthia, and Gabrielle Lewis).<ref>As told to Matt Baker and Alex Jones on the BBC show "The One Show" on 1 August 2011.</ref> Crawford starred in ''The Jokers'' (directed by Michael Winner) with Oliver Reed in 1967.
===Broadway debut=== In 1967, Crawford made his Broadway début in Peter Shaffer's ''Black Comedy'' with Lynn Redgrave (making her début as well). He demonstrated his aptitude and daring for extreme physical comedy, such as walking into walls and falling down staircases.
While working in the show, he was noticed by Gene Kelly, who called him to Hollywood to audition for a part in the film adaptation of the musical ''Hello, Dolly!''. Crawford was cast and shared top billing with Barbra Streisand and Walter Matthau. Despite being one of the highest-grossing works of 1969, the film failed to recoup its $25 million budget at the box office. It won three Academy Awards, was nominated for a further four (including Best Picture), and is now considered to be one of the greatest musical films ever.<ref>{{Cite web |title=100 Greatest Film Musicals |url=http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/movie-pages/movie_musicals.php |access-date=7 December 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017085638/http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/movie-pages/movie_musicals.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Best Movie Musicals of All Time |url=http://www.ranthollywood.com/2014/12/24/best-movie-musicals-of-all-time/ |access-date=7 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221130312/http://www.ranthollywood.com/2014/12/24/best-movie-musicals-of-all-time/ |archive-date=21 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Top 100 Greatest Movie Musicals of All Time |url=http://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2015/8/9/the-top-100-greatest-movie-musicals-of-all-time/|access-date = 7 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160206232128/http://www.onstageblog.com/columns/2015/8/9/the-top-100-greatest-movie-musicals-of-all-time|archive-date = 6 February 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref>
Crawford's later films fared less successfully, although ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', in which he played the White Rabbit, enjoyed moderate success in the UK. After performing in ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'', and with offers of work greatly reduced and much of his salary from ''Hello, Dolly!'' lost, reportedly due to underhanded investments by his agent,<ref name="parcel">{{cite book |url=http://www.mcifa.com/parcel3.cfm |last=Crawford |first=Michael |title=Parcel Arrived Safely, Tied with String |date=23 August 1999 |access-date=6 April 2009 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112195925/https://www.mcifa.com/parcel3.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref> Crawford faced a brief period of unemployment.
During this time, he helped his wife stuff cushions (for their upholstery business) and took a job as an office clerk in an electric company. But at this difficult time, his marriage fell apart and divorce followed in 1975.<ref name="parcel"/>
===''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em''=== Crawford's acting career took off again after he appeared on the London stage in the farce ''No Sex Please, We're British'', in which he played the part of frantic chief cashier Brian Runnicles. This performance led to an invitation to star in a BBC television comedy series about a childlike and eternally haphazard man who causes disaster everywhere he goes. Crawford was not the first choice for the role of Frank Spencer in ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em''. Originally, the show was offered to Ronnie Barker, who turned it down, and then to Norman Wisdom, who did likewise, but Crawford took on the challenge. He adopted a characterisation similar to the one he employed for Brian Runnicles. Cast alongside him was Michele Dotrice in the role of Frank's long-suffering wife, Betty.
''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' soon became one of the BBC's most popular television series. Initially, only two series were produced, in 1973 and 1975, as the show's creators felt it should stop at its peak, but popular demand saw the programme revived for a final series in 1978. Its immense popularity was due in part to its extensive use of physical comedy. Crawford said he had always been a fan of comedians such as Buster Keaton (with whom he co-starred in ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum''), Laurel and Hardy, and Charlie Chaplin, as well as the sight gags employed in the days of silent film. He saw ''Some Mothers'' as the ideal opportunity to practice such humour. He performed his own stunts during the show's run and never used a double.<ref name="parcel"/>
===1970s=== While he was playing in ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'', Crawford was approached to star in the musical ''Billy'' (based on the novel ''Billy Liar''), which opened in 1974 at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. This was his first leading man role on the West End stage; it helped to firmly establish his career as both a singer and showman. The part was demanding, requiring proficiency in both song and dance. In preparation for the role, Crawford began taking both arts more seriously, studying singing under the tutelage of vocal coach Ian Adam and spending hours perfecting his dancing with choreographer Onna White.<ref name="parcel"/>
''Billy'' gave the many fans of Crawford's portrayal of Frank Spencer an opportunity to see him in a broadly similar role on the stage, and was a considerable hit (904 West End performances). After the closing of ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'', Crawford continued to perform in plays and musicals, starring in ''Flowers for Algernon'' (1979) in the role of Charlie Gordon, based on the book of the same title. He pursued another role on an ITV sitcom, ''Chalk and Cheese'', as the slovenly, uncouth Dave Finn. The show did not go over well with his fans: the popularity of Crawford's portrayal of Frank Spencer, and the similar Billy Fisher character, had left him somewhat typecast, to the extent that they could not accept his very different role as Dave Finn. Crawford abandoned the show during its first series and returned to theatre work.<ref name="parcel"/>
===1980s===
====''Condorman''==== Crawford starred in the 1981 Disney comedy/adventure film ''Condorman'', playing an eccentric American comic book writer and illustrator named Woody Wilkins who is asked by his friend at the CIA to help a Russian woman to defect while acting out the fantasy of bringing his comic book creation, Condorman, to life.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} Critics panned the film. On their television show, critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert featured the film in their round-up of the year's worst films pointing out the less-than-special effects such as the visible harness and cable used to suspend Condorman in the air and the obvious bluescreen effect. The film performed poorly at the box office but years later gained a cult following among Disney fans.<ref name="parcel"/>
====''Barnum''==== Also in 1981, Crawford starred in the original London production of Cy Coleman's ''Barnum'' (1981) as the illustrious American showman P. T. Barnum. He trained at the ''Big Apple Circus School'' in New York City to prepare for the ambitious stunts, learning to walk the tight-rope, juggle and slide down a rope from the rafters of the theatre. After further training for the second opening of ''Barnum'', he was awarded a British Amateur Gymnastics Association badge and certificate as a qualified coach.<ref name="parcel"/>
''Barnum'' opened on 11 June 1981 at the London Palladium, where it ran for 655 performances. Crawford and Deborah Grant headed the cast. It was well-received, becoming a favourite of Margaret Thatcher as well as the Queen Mother. Crawford earned his first Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical on the London stage. After the initial production of the show, he worked extensively with Torvill and Dean, and can be seen rinkside with them as they received their "perfect six" marks in the 1983 world championships for their 'Barnum' routine.<ref>{{YouTube|o2UkD0tGitI|Crawford with Torvill & Dean receiving marks at World championships 1983}}</ref><ref>Hennessey, John. ''Torvill & Dean; David & Charles'' (1983); {{ISBN|0-7153-8476-7}}</ref>
In 1984 a revival of ''Barnum'' opened in Manchester at the Opera House, ending the tour at the Victoria Palace in the West End. In 1986 this production, with a new cast, though still headed by Crawford, was recorded for television and broadcast by the BBC. Crawford's ''Barnum'' is one of the longest runs by a leading actor.
====''The Phantom of the Opera''==== In 1984, at the final preview of ''Starlight Express'', Crawford happened to run into the show's creator, Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lloyd Webber had met Crawford socially several times and remembered him from his work in ''Flowers for Algernon''. He informed Crawford that he was working on a new project based on a Gaston Leroux novel and wanted to know whether he was interested. Crawford said he was, but the show was still in the early planning stages, and nothing had been decided. Several months passed, during which Lloyd Webber had already created a pitch video featuring his then-wife Sarah Brightman as the female lead Christine, and British rocker Steve Harley as the Phantom, singing the title song in the manner of a contemporary new wave video. Crawford was turned off by that, supposing the songwriter had chosen to do a "rock opera"-inspired spectacle in lieu of a more traditional operatic musical.<ref name="parcel"/>
Since casting Harley, however, Lloyd Webber had also begun to regret his artistic choices. According to the ''Behind the Mask'' documentary, he and producer Cameron Mackintosh agreed that Harley was neither an actor nor a commanding theatre presence, two areas in which Crawford had gained significant experience by this point. As production continued on the show, the bulk of the score was revealing itself to be far more classical and operatic, entirely unsuited to Harley's rough, contemporary voice. Wanting instead a performer with a more classic, melodic voice, as described in the original book, he began yet another search for the perfect actor to play his Phantom.
Crawford's landing of the role was due in large part to the coincidence that he and Brightman were taking lessons from the same vocal coach, Ian Adam. Brightman and her husband had arrived early for her lesson, and it was while waiting that they chanced to hear Crawford practising the aria ''Care Selve'', from the opera ''Atalanta'' by Handel. Intrigued, Lloyd Webber asked Adam who his student was. Soon after, Crawford was called in for an audition and was hired virtually on the spot.<ref name="parcel"/>
Many critics were sceptical; Crawford was still largely pigeonholed as the hapless Frank Spencer, and questions were asked about his ability to manage such a vocally and dramatically demanding role.
In September 1986, Crawford commenced as the Phantom in London at Her Majesty's Theatre, continuing in the role until October of the following year. In January 1988, Crawford started performing the show on Broadway, finishing his run in October. He then went on to do the show in Los Angeles in 1989. He was the Phantom for three and a half years and over 1,300 performances across the three productions, winning the Olivier Award (Best Actor in a Musical), the Tony Award (Best Performance by an Actor in a Lead Role, Musical), a New York Drama Desk Award, and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Achievement in Theatre (Lead Performance).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcifa.com/biography.cfm|title=biography, timeline|access-date=2 February 2010|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200011/https://www.mcifa.com/biography.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>
During the Los Angeles run, Crawford was asked to sing "The Music of the Night" at the Inaugural Gala for President George H. W. Bush in Washington, D.C., on 19 January 1989. At the gala, Crawford was presented with a cake in celebration of his 47th birthday.
On 29 April 1990, Crawford left the show. He admits to having been saddened at his departure, and, during the final Lair scene, altered the Phantom's line to "Christine... I ''loved'' you", acknowledging that this was his final performance.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-30-me-82-story.html |title='Phantom' Departs Amid Cheers, Tears |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=30 April 1990 |last1=Braxton |first1=Greg |access-date=11 June 2018 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112195926/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-30-me-82-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However, on 31 December 1990, he returned to the role in Los Angeles, replacing Robert Guillaume. Crawford's final performance as the Phantom was on 28 April 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-09-ca-4163-story.html|title=Michael Crawford to Return to 'Phantom' Role : Theater: The originator of the title role in 'The Phantom of the Opera' will return to the Ahmanson on Dec. 31 to play the part again for at least three months.|first=Don|last=Shirley|date=9 November 1990|website=Los Angeles Times|access-date=11 November 2023|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200017/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-09-ca-4163-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/05/03/orlando-native-gets-notice-as-los-angeles-phantom/|title=Orlando Native Gets Notice as Los Angeles' 'Phantom'|date=3 May 1991|access-date=11 November 2023|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112195928/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/05/03/orlando-native-gets-notice-as-los-angeles-phantom/|url-status=live}}</ref>
===1990s=== At the request of Liz Kirschner, wife of film producer David Kirschner, he obtained the role of Cornelius in 20th Century Fox's animated film ''Once Upon a Forest'', which was produced by her husband.
In 1995, Crawford created the high-profile starring role in ''EFX'', the US$70 million production which officially opened the 1,700-seat MGM Grand Theatre in Las Vegas. The Atlantic Theater label released the companion album to EFX. Early into the run, Crawford suffered an accident during a performance (which involved him sliding from a wire hanger from the back of the theatre all the way to the stage and then jumping down {{convert|12|ft|m}} to the stage itself) and left the show to recover from his injury, which resulted in a hip replacement operation.<ref>''Weekend Wogan'', 25 September 2011</ref>
===2000s to present=== In 2001, Crawford sang Baby Mine from Disney's ''Dumbo'' on its 60th anniversary VHS and DVD. Crawford had a short comeback to Broadway as the Count von Krolock in the short-lived musical ''Dance of the Vampires'' (2002–03). He originated the role of Count Fosco in Lloyd Webber's ''The Woman in White'', which opened at the Palace Theatre, London in September 2004. However, he was forced to leave the show three months later because of ill health caused by dehydration resulting from the enormous fat-suit he wore during the performance. He spent months recuperating and was thus unable to reprise the role on Broadway.<ref>{{cite web |title=An Interview with Michael Crawford |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/An_Interview_with_Michael_Crawford_20060106|access-date=6 April 2009}}</ref> He learned he was suffering from the post-viral condition myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), from which he did not fully recover for six years.<ref name=":0" />
In 2006, Crawford attended the Gala Performance of the stage version of ''The Phantom of the Opera'' on Broadway at the Majestic Theatre to celebrate the show's becoming the longest-running musical in Broadway history (surpassing the run of ''Cats''). He was delighted with it, stating this was the first time he had been an audience member of any of the shows he had done.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crawford |first=Michael |title=Michael Attends Record-Breaking Phantom |url=http://www.mcifa.com/indexmain.cfm |access-date=8 April 2009 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200033/https://www.mcifa.com/indexmain.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2007, Crawford briefly relocated to New Zealand to be closer to one of his daughters who had settled in Australia, and to convalesce from ME.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-03-12 |title=Michael Crawford opens up about moving to New Zealand to deal with ME |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/celebritynews/9138107/Michael-Crawford-opens-up-about-moving-to-New-Zealand-to-deal-with-ME.html |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=The Telegraph |language=en |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112201053/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/celebritynews/9138107/Michael-Crawford-opens-up-about-moving-to-New-Zealand-to-deal-with-ME.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Coast |title=How New Zealand saved Michael Crawford's life |url=https://www.thecoast.net.nz/news/entertainment/how-new-zealand-saved-michael-crawfords-life/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=Coast |language=en |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112201046/https://www.thecoast.net.nz/news/entertainment/how-new-zealand-saved-michael-crawfords-life/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title='Frank Spencer': New Zealand cured my crippling illness |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/frank-spencer-new-zealand-cured-my-crippling-illness/H7FX3UO54ENN7ZZF7FGXL26F34/ |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112201056/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/frank-spencer-new-zealand-cured-my-crippling-illness/H7FX3UO54ENN7ZZF7FGXL26F34/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <ref>{{cite news |last1=Moran |first1=Jonathon |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/the-secret-life-of-a-phantom-star/story-e6frfmqi-1226296026514 |title=The secret life of a Phantom star |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |via=News.com.au |date=11 March 2012 |access-date=3 April 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120310202157/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/the-secret-life-of-a-phantom-star/story-e6frfmqi-1226296026514 |archive-date=10 March 2012}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news |url=http://www.sundaymercury.net/lifestyle-news/nostalgia-history-midlands/2012/03/11/play-it-again-michael-crawford-on-the-day-he-ended-up-on-spaghetti-junction-in-his-pyjamas-66331-30500070 |title=Play it Again: Michael Crawford on the day he ended up on Spaghetti Junction in his pyjamas. |newspaper=Sunday Mercury |access-date=8 May 2012 |date=11 March 2012 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112210429/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/all-about/sunday-mercury |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 23 October 2010, Crawford attended the celebratory 10,000th performance of ''The Phantom of the Opera'' in London alongside composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Crawford spoke of his own memories of the first performance 24 years earlier, and was then presented, along with Lloyd Webber, with a special cake to commemorate the landmark achievement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Phantom_Celebrates_10000th_West_End_Performance_with_Michael_Crawford_Andrew_Lloyd_Webber_20101023 |title=Phantom Celebrates 10000th West End Performance with Michael Crawford Andrew Lloyd Webber |date=23 October 2010 |access-date=29 October 2010 |archive-date=30 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930061832/http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Phantom_Celebrates_10000th_West_End_Performance_with_Michael_Crawford_Andrew_Lloyd_Webber_20101023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Beginning with previews in February 2011, Crawford originated the part of the Wizard in the new Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical version of ''The Wizard of Oz'' at the London Palladium, which had its official opening on 1 March 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-news/8021358/Wizard-role-for-Michael-Crawford-in-new-Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-musical.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-news/8021358/Wizard-role-for-Michael-Crawford-in-new-Andrew-Lloyd-Webber-musical.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Wizard role for Michael Crawford in new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical |date=24 September 2010|access-date=24 September 2010 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Anita |last=Singh}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He stated on ''This Morning: Sunday'', on 14 August 2011, that he had signed on for a further six months in the show.<ref>{{cite episode |title=This Morning |series=2011 |network=ITV1 |airdate=14 August 2011}}</ref> He left the production on 5 February 2012; the same day as co-star Danielle Hope played her final performance as Dorothy. From 14 February, Russell Grant took over the role.<ref name=rt>{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-01-23/russell-grant-to-join-andrew-lloyd-webber's-the-wizard-of-oz-stage-musical |title=Russell Grant to join Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz stage musical |author=Tim Glanfield |date=23 January 2012}}</ref>
On 2 October 2011 Crawford made a special appearance during the finale of ''The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall'' — a fully staged production of the musical at the famous London venue – marking 25 years since the show received its world premiere. Although reunited with Sarah Brightman, he did no real singing as he had just finished performing in a matinee of ''The Wizard of Oz'' at the London Palladium.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SOUND-OFF-PHANTOM-25-Sweet-Intoxication-20111003 |title=SOUND OFF: PHANTOM 25 – Sweet Intoxication |first=Pat |last=Cerasaro |website=BroadwayWorld.com |access-date=14 February 2021 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200424/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SOUND-OFF-PHANTOM-25-Sweet-Intoxication-20111003 |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 18 March 2016 Crawford and Dotrice reprised their roles in a one-off special of ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'', broadcast as part of the Sport Relief charity fundraiser event.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35595714 |work=BBC News |title=Michael Crawford to reprise Frank Spencer for Sport Relief |date=17 February 2016 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=31 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531040958/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35595714 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Crawford starred in the new West End musical ''The Go-Between'' which premiered on 27 May 2016 at Apollo Theatre.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/1740/Michael-Crawford-To-Star-In-The-Go-Between-London-Premiere-At-The-Apollo-Theatre.aspx |title=Michael Crawford To Star in the Go-Between London Premiere at the Apollo Theatre |publisher=London Theatre Direct |access-date=5 February 2016 |date=5 February 2016 |author=Porteous, Jacob |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200616/https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/michael-crawford-to-star-in-the-go-between-london-premiere-at-the-apollo-theatre |url-status=live }}</ref> He appeared in the 60th anniversary performance of Britten's ''Noye's Fludde'' in London in 2018, performing the Voice of God, and recalled in a BBC Radio 3 interview Benjamin Britten's valuable support in his early career.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b8gf26 |title=BBC Radio 3 – Radio 3 in Concert, A Britten Celebration |access-date=3 July 2018 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112210427/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b8gf26 |url-status=live }}</ref>
To date, ''The Go-Between'' is Crawford's last stage performance. He reportedly has not retired, however. He had been attached to play Clarence Odbody for at least two years in Paul McCartney's planned musical adaptation of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, which was scheduled to premiere in "late 2020," but the production fell through.<ref name="Times2025">{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/michael-crawford-some-mothers-do-have-em-trump-award-wm0khcdcj|last=The Times|title=Michael Crawford on his lifetime award from Trump: 'I'm in awe'|location=London|date=17 December 2025|accessdate=1 January 2026|archive-date=23 December 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20251223225131/https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/michael-crawford-some-mothers-do-have-em-trump-award-wm0khcdcj|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBCNews2019">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-49014762|last=BBC News|title=Sir Paul McCartney to write It's A Wonderful Life musical|location=London|date=18 July 2019|accessdate=1 January 2026|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2025, it was reported that Crawford plans to make a documentary about his career.<ref name="Times2025"/>
==Recording career and chart success== In 1987, during Crawford's starring role in ''The Phantom of the Opera'', a double A-sided single was released featuring two songs from the musical: "The Music of the Night", sung by Crawford, and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again", sung by his ''Phantom'' co-star Sarah Brightman. It reached number seven in the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/3852/michael-crawford/ |title=MICHAEL CRAWFORD |date=10 January 1987 |website=Official Charts |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200615/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/3852/michael-crawford/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Following on from this, in the same year Crawford released a studio album of show tunes with the London Symphony Orchestra, titled ''Songs from the Stage and Screen'', which reached number 12 in the UK Albums Chart<ref name="auto1"/> and number 74 on the Australian Music Report chart. From this album, his version of "When You Wish Upon a Star" was released as a single, reaching number 97 in the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="auto1"/>
''Songs from the Stage and Screen'' was followed by other charting studio albums recorded by Crawford, including ''With Love / The Phantom Unmasked'' (1989), ''Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber'' (1991), ''A Touch of Music in the Night'' (1993), ''On Eagle's Wings'' (1998) and ''The Disney Album'' (2001), as well as several compilation albums.<ref name="auto1"/> ''A Touch of Music in the Night'' included a new version of the ''Phantom'' song "The Music of the Night", this time recorded as a duet between Crawford and Barbra Streisand. Released as a single, it reached number 54 in the UK Singles Chart in early 1994.<ref name="auto1"/> It was also included on Streisand's album ''Back to Broadway'' (1993), and was nominated for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 1994 Grammy Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/popgroup.htm |title=Rock On The Net: Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group or Duo |website=www.rockonthenet.com |access-date=27 October 2023 |archive-date=17 September 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000917204608/http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/popgroup.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Concert tours== In 2006, he made a small concert tour of Australia and New Zealand, as well as a one-night benefit to open the LaSalle Bank Theatre in Chicago. He has also done various Michael Crawford International Fan Association (MCIFA) exclusive concerts around the US.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcifa.com/biography.cfm|title=Michael's Biography|access-date=2 February 2010|archive-date=12 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200011/https://www.mcifa.com/biography.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Charity work== Since the late 1980s, Crawford has affiliated himself with various charities, particularly for the good of children. He is a patron of the Lighthouse Foundation in Australia, and has also been President of the Sick Children's Trust since 1987.<ref>{{cite web |last=Crawford |first=Michael |title=The Sick Children's Trust |url=http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/navAboutUs.htm|access-date=12 September 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113052935/http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/navAboutUs.htm|archive-date=13 November 2007}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Crawford has three children. Two, born in 1966 and 1968, were daughters from his first marriage to Gabrielle Lewis. He has an illegitimate older daughter, with whom he has signed a legal agreement protecting her privacy.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/i-feared-i-d-fall-on-my-face-7279832.html |last=Evening Standard |title='I feared I'd fall on my face |location=London |date=10 April 2012 |accessdate=15 March 2023 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200449/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/i-feared-i-d-fall-on-my-face-7279832.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the mid-1990s, he began a long-term relationship with Natasha MacAller, an American dancer and chef.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Honey |first1=Sam |title=Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em star's early life In Kent and the iconic Sheppey stunt |url=https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/mothers-ave-em-stars-early-8564887 |website=Kent Live |access-date=17 September 2023 |date=30 June 2023 |quote=He has been with his current partner, Natasha MacAller, since 1996. |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200012/https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/mothers-ave-em-stars-early-8564887 |url-status=live }}</ref> They are now married.<ref name="Times2025"/>
Shortly before appearing in ''The Go-Between'', Crawford was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had his prostate removed.<ref name="Times2025"/>
==Accolades== * Named ''Show Business Personality of the Year'' by the Variety Club of Great Britain * Voted No. 17, ahead of Queen Victoria, in the ''100 Greatest Britons'' (2002) poll sponsored by the BBC<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/greatbritons/list.shtml/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021204214727/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/greatbritons/list.shtml/|archive-date=4 December 2002 |title=BBC – Great Britons – Top 100 |work=Internet Archive|access-date=19 July 2017}}</ref> * BroadwayWorld UK Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for ''The Wizard of Oz'' (2011) * Received Aardman Slapstick Visual Comedy Legend Award (2016) – cited works include ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' * Received Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievement on 7 December 2025. Crawford was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1987 Birthday Honours<ref>{{London Gazette |date=13 June 1987 |supp=y |issue=50948 |page=9 }}</ref> and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2014 New Year Honours for charitable and philanthropic services, particularly to children's charities.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=60728 |supp=y|page=8|date=31 December 2013}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Awards !Category !Nominated work !Result !Ref. |- |1966 |British Academy Film Awards |Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles |''The Knack ...and How to Get It'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Promising Newcomer To Leading Film Roles |url=https://www.bafta.org/awards/film/most-promising-newcomer-to-leading-film-roles |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Bafta |language=en}}</ref> |- |1974 | rowspan="2" |British Academy Television Awards |Best Actor | rowspan="2" |''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Actor |url=https://www.bafta.org/awards/television/actor-television |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Bafta |language=en}}</ref> |- |1975 |Best Light Entertainment Performance |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Light Entertainment Performance |url=https://www.bafta.org/awards/television/light-entertainment-performance |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Bafta |language=en}}</ref> |- |1979 | rowspan="3" |Laurence Olivier Awards | rowspan="3" |Best Actor in a Musical |''Charlie and Algernon'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivier Winners 1979 |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1979/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Olivier Awards |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |1981 |''Barnum'' |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivier Winners 1981 |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1981/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Olivier Awards |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |1986 | rowspan="4" |''The Phantom of the Opera'' |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivier Winners 1986 |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-1986/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Olivier Awards |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |1988 |Drama Desk Award |Outstanding Actor in a Musical |{{won}} | |- |Outer Critics Circle Awards |Outstanding Actor in a Musical |{{won}} | |- |Tony Awards |Best Actor in a Musical |{{won}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Tony Award Nominations |url=https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1988/category/any/show/any/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=www.tonyawards.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2004 |Theatregoers' Choice Award |Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical | rowspan="3" |''The Woman in White'' |{{won}} | |- |Variety Club of Great Britain Award |Outstanding Stage Performance |{{won}} | |- |2005 |Laurence Olivier Awards |Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Olivier Winners 2005 |url=https://officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards/winners/olivier-winners-2005/ |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=Olivier Awards |language=en-GB}}</ref> |}
==Stage== ===Theatre=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role(s) |- | 1967 || ''Black Comedy / White Lies'' || Brindsley Miller / Tom |- | 1971 || ''No Sex Please, We're British'' || Brian Runnicles |- | 1974 || ''Billy'' || Billy Liar |- | 1979 || ''Flowers for Algernon'' || Charlie Gordon |- | 1981–1983;<br>1985–1986 || ''Barnum'' || P.T. Barnum (West End) |- | 1986–1991 || ''The Phantom of the Opera'' || The Phantom of the Opera (West End & Broadway) |- | 1995–1996 || ''EFX'' || The EFX Master / Merlin / P.T. Barnum / Harry Houdini / H.G. Wells |- | 2002–2003 || ''Dance of the Vampires'' || Count Giovanni von Krolock |- | 2004 || ''The Woman in White'' || Count Fosco |- | 2011–2012 || ''The Wizard of Oz'' || Professor Marvel / Emerald City Doorman / Tour Guide / The Wizard of Oz |- | 2016 || ''The Go-Between'' || Older Leo Colston |}
==Filmology== ===Film=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Title !! Role |- | rowspan="2" | 1958 || ''Soapbox Derby'' || Peter Toms |- | ''Blow Your Own Trumpet'' || Jim Fenn |- | rowspan="2" | 1960 || ''A French Mistress'' || Kent |- | ''Sir Frances Drake'' || John Drake |- | 1961 || ''Two Living, One Dead'' || Nils Lindwall |- | 1962 || ''The War Lover'' || Sgt. Junior Sailen |- | 1963 || ''Two Left Feet'' || Alan Crabbe |- | 1965 || ''The Knack ...and How to Get It'' || Colin |- | 1966 || ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' || Hero |- | rowspan="2" | 1967 || ''The Jokers'' || Michael Tremayne |- | ''How I Won the War'' || Lt. Earnest Goodbody |- | 1969 || ''Hello, Dolly!'' || Cornelius Hackl |- | rowspan="2" | 1970 || ''The Games'' || Harry Hayes |- | ''Hello-Goodbye'' || Harry England |- | 1972 || ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' || White Rabbit |- | 1981 || ''Condorman'' || Woody Wilkins/Cóndorman |- | 1986 || ''Barnum'' || P.T. Barnum |- | 1993 || ''Once Upon a Forest'' || Cornelius/Narrator (voice) |- | 1999 || ''The Ghosts of Christmas Eve'' || Himself (performer) |}
===Television=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Years !! Title !! TV company !! Role |- | 1959 || ''Billy Bunter of Greyfriars School'' (Series 5)|| rowspan="2" | BBC || Frank Nugent |- | rowspan="2" | 1960 || ''Saturday Playhouse'' (one episode) || Read |- | ''Police Surgeon'' (episode "Easy Money") || ABC || |- | 1961–1962 || ''Sir Francis Drake'' || ITC for ABC / ATV || John Drake |- | 1964–1965 || ''Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life'' || rowspan="3" | BBC || Byron |- | 1968 || ''Cilla'' (one episode) || |- | 1973–1978 || ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' || Frank Spencer |- | 1979 || ''Chalk and Cheese'' || Thames Television || Dave Finn |- | 1998 || ''Noel's House Party'' (one episode) || BBC || Frank Spencer |- | 1999 || ''The Ghosts of Christmas Eve'' || Fox Family Channel || |- | 2016 || ''Sport Relief 2016'' || BBC || Frank Spencer |}
==Discography== ===Solo albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:6em;font-size:90%;"| {{br list | AUS | <ref name=aus>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |edition=illustrated |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6 |page=76}}</ref><ref name="Ryan">{{cite book |last=Ryan |first=Gavin |title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 |year=2011 |publisher=Moonlight Publishing |location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia |edition=pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Michael+crawford&cat=a |title=Michael Crawford at Australian Charts |website=australian-charts |access-date=26 September 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200944/https://australian-charts.com/search.asp?search=Michael+crawford&cat=a |url-status=live }}</ref>}} ! scope="col" style="width:6em;font-size:90%;"| {{br list | UK |<ref name=UK>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/3852/michael-crawford/ |title=Michael Crawford Full Official Charts History |website=Official Charts Company |access-date=27 September 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112200615/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/3852/michael-crawford/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} ! scope="col" style="font-size:90%;"| US <br /><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1992-01-11/ | title=Billboard 200™ | magazine=Billboard }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1993-10-23/ | title=Billboard 200™ | magazine=Billboard }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1998-03-28/ | title=Billboard 200™ | magazine=Billboard }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1988-07-30/ | title=Billboard 200™ | magazine=Billboard }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1999-12-18/ | title=Billboard 200™ | magazine=Billboard }}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| {{br list | ''Songs from the Stage and Screen'' | (With the London Symphony Orchestra)}} | * Released: 1987 * Label: J&B Records (JB 332) * Formats: CD, Cassette, LP | 74 || 12 || 192 | * ARIA: Gold<ref name=ARIACert01>{{cite certification |region=Australia |artist=Michael Crawford |type=album |certyear=2001|access-date=27 December 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| {{br list | ''With Love'' | (With the London Symphony Orchestra)}} | * Released: 1989 * Label: TelStar (TCD 2340) * Formats: CD, cassette, LP | – || 31 || – | * ARIA: Gold<ref name=ARIACert98/> |- ! scope="row"| ''The Phantom Unmasked'' | * Released: 1989 * Label: Dino Music (125) * Formats: CD, cassette, LP | 77 || – || – | |- ! scope="row"| ''Michael Crawford Performs Andrew Lloyd Webber'' | * Released: November 1991 * Label: Atlantic (756782347–2) * Formats: CD, cassette | 1 || 3 || 54 | * ARIA: 3× Platinum<ref name="Ryan"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''A Touch of Music in the Night'' | * Released: October 1993 * Label: Atlantic (756782531–2) * Formats: CD, cassette | 1 || 12 || 39 | * ARIA: 4× Platinum<ref name="Ryan"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''Favourite Love Songs'' | * Released: October 1994 * Label: Atlantic (756782697–2) * Formats: CD, cassette | 18 || 64 || – | * ARIA: Platinum<ref name="Ryan"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''On Eagle's Wings'' | * Released: March 1998 * Label: Atlantic (756783076–2) * Formats: CD, cassette | 5 || 65 || 57 | * ARIA: Platinum<ref name=ARIACert98/> |- ! scope="row"| ''Michael Crawford in Concert'' | * Released: October 1998 * Label: Atlantic (756783131–2) * Formats: CD * Live album | 31 || – || – | * ARIA: Gold<ref name=ARIACert98>{{cite certification |region=Australia |artist=Michael Crawford |type=album |certyear=1998|access-date=27 December 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''A Christmas Album'' / ''The Most Wonderful Time of the Year'' | * Released: December 1999 * Label: Atlantic (756783222–2) * Formats: CD | 62 || 69 || 98 | |- ! scope="row"| ''The Disney Album'' | * Released: 18 September 2001<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://playbill.com/article/crawford-does-disney-phantom-star-to-release-cd-sept-18-com-98630|title=Crawford Does Disney: Phantom Star to Release CD Sept. 18 | Playbill|accessdate=May 8, 2024}}</ref> * Label: Walt Disney Records (333662) * Formats: CD | 1 || 76 || – | * ARIA: Platinum<ref name="Ryan"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''The Best of'' (Christmas Version) | * Released: November 2001 * Label: Atlantic (756793081–2) * Formats: CD * Compilation album | 10 || – || – | * ARIA: Platinum<ref name="Ryan"/> |- ! scope="row"| ''The Best of'' | * Released: 2002 * Label: Atlantic (756793082–2) * Formats: CD * Compilation album | 66 || – || – | |- ! scope="row"| ''The Very Best of Michael Crawford'' | * Released: 2004 * Label: EMI (VTCD 685) * Formats: CD * Compilation album | – || 76 || – | |- ! scope="row"| ''The Story of My Life'' | * Released: November 2011 * Label: Union Square Music * Formats: CD, Download * Compilation album | 7 || – || – | |- ! scope="row"| ''O Holy Night'' | * Released: 16 November 2012<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/cd-crawford-michael-o-holy-night-cd |title=O Holy Night |website=JBHiFI|access-date=26 September 2020}}</ref> * Label: Union Square Music/FanFare (FANFARE091) * Formats: CD, Download | 55<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.auspop.com.au/2014/01/chart-watch-54/ |title=Chart Watch |website=auspOp |date=4 January 2014|access-date=26 September 2020 |author1=Auspop }}</ref> || – || – | |- ! scope="row"| ''The Story of My Life: The Ultimate Collection'' | * Released: December 2012 * Label: Union Square Music * Formats: CD, Download * Compilation album | – || 44 || – | * ARIA: Gold<ref name=ARIACert12>{{cite certification |region=Australia |artist=Michael Crawford |type=album |certyear=2012|access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| ''The Music of the Night'' | * Released: September 2016 * Label: Union Square Music/FanFare (FANFARE155) * Formats: 2×CD, Download * Compilation album | – || – || – | |}
===Video albums=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1" |+ List of video albums, with selected chart positions and certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications |- ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| {{br list | {{br list | AUS | DVD}} |<ref name=aus/>}} |- ! scope="row"| ''In Concert'' | * Released: 1998 * Label: Warner Music Vision * Formats: VHS, DVD | 8 | * ARIA: Platinum<ref name=ARIACertDVD>{{cite certification |region=Australia |artist=Michael Crawford |type=video |certyear=2004|access-date=18 December 2021}}</ref> |}
===Cast albums=== {{div col|colwidth=26em}} * ''A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'' (1966) * ''Hello, Dolly!'' (1969) * ''Billy'' (1974) * ''Flowers for Algernon'' (1980) * ''Barnum'' (1981) * ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (1987) * ''Highlights from The Phantom of the Opera'' (1987) * ''Once Upon a Forest'' (1993) * ''EFX'' (1995) AUS No. 100<ref name="Ryan"/> * ''The Woman in White'' (2004) * ''WALL-E'' (2008) (excerpts from ''Hello, Dolly!'') * ''The Wizard of Oz'' (2011) {{div col end}}
===Guest appearances=== {{div col|colwidth=26em}} * ''Save the Children: Christmas Carols and Festive Songs'' (1988) – "Let's Pretend" * ''The Premiere Collection: The Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber'' (1988) – "The Music of the Night" * ''Showstoppers'' (1991) – "Fugue for Tinhorns" <small>(with Barry Manilow & Hinton Battle)</small> * ''A Christmas Spectacular of Carols and Songs'' (1992) – "Let's Pretend" * ''Back to Broadway'' (1993) – "The Music of the Night" <small>(with Barbra Streisand)</small> * ''David Foster: The Christmas Album'' (1993) – "O Holy Night" * ''The London Symphony Orchestra Performs the Works of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber'' (1994) – "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" Suites * ''The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection'' (1999) – "The Phantom of the Opera" <small>(with Sarah Brightman)</small> * ''Millennium Chorus: The Greatest Story Ever Sung'' (2000) – "How Still How Silent" * ''Child of the Promise: A Musical Story Celebrating The Birth of Christ '' (2000) – "After All These Years", "Zacharias & Gabriel Recitative" <small>(with Russ Taff)</small>, "He Will Prepare the Way" * ''My Favorite Broadway: The Love Songs'' (2001) – "The Music of the Night" * ''Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs from the Stage'' (2012) – "The Music of the Night" <small>(with Susan Boyle)</small> {{div col end}}
==See also== * List of British actors
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|https://mcifa.com/}} * {{IBDB name}} * {{IMDb name|0186903}} * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/talent/c/crawford_michael.shtml Michael Crawford] – BBC Guide to Comedy * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080503011051/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwidb/people/Michael_Crawford/ Michael Crawford profile at BroadwayWorld International Database] * [http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=6671 ''Broadway World'' interview with Crawford] * [http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW_Exclusive_QA_Michael_Crawford_Talks_Return_to_the_Stage_20100924 "Crawford Talks Return to the Stage"]
{{Michael Crawford}} {{Navboxes |title = Awards for Michael Crawford |list = {{DramaDesk MusicalActor}} {{Kennedy Center Honorees 2020s}} {{OlivierAward MusicalActor}} {{TonyAward MusicalLeadActor}} }}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Crawford, Michael}} Category:1942 births Category:20th Century Studios contract players Category:English expatriates in New Zealand Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Category:Drama Desk Award winners Category:English male film actors Category:English male television actors Category:English male musical theatre actors Category:English male radio actors Category:English male voice actors Category:English male comedians Category:English people of Irish descent Category:English male stage actors Category:English tenors Category:English Roman Catholics Category:Laurence Olivier Award winners Category:Male actors from Salisbury Category:Tony Award winners Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Wiltshire Category:Comedians from Wiltshire Category:British slapstick comedians Category:Kennedy Center honorees Category:British expatriate male actors in New Zealand