Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch have both received nominations for the 2026 Tony Awards [1].
The nominations highlight a continuing trend of Saturday Night Live alumni transitioning their comedic success to the Broadway stage. This recognition places two former castmates in the same awards cycle for the first time in several years.
During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers on June 16, 2026, Gasteyer said she reflected on the honor of being nominated alongside Dratch [2]. The nominations were first announced in April 2026 [2]. Gasteyer earned her nod for her performance in the musical Schmigadoon! [3].
The 79th Annual Tony Awards [1] will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. While the nominations were announced earlier this spring, the ceremony itself took place on June 7, 2026 [1].
Gasteyer used her interview on the NBC Studios set to praise Dratch's work [2]. Both actresses have spent years building versatile portfolios in sketch comedy and dramatic acting, and these nominations mark a significant milestone in their theater careers. The presence of multiple SNL alumni in the 2026 nominee pool underscores the influence of the sketch show's training ground on modern musical theater.
Although Dratch's specific production was not named in the recent reports, her nomination places her in the elite circle of performers recognized by the American Theatre Wing [3]. The two actresses have long been associated with the high-energy, character-driven style that defines both their television history and their current Broadway roles.
“Ana Gasteyer and Rachel Dratch have both received nominations for the 2026 Tony Awards.”
The simultaneous nomination of Gasteyer and Dratch reflects the enduring pipeline between Saturday Night Live and Broadway. By leveraging the improvisational and character-work skills developed at SNL, these performers are successfully bridging the gap between television comedy and live theatrical performance, maintaining the commercial viability of Broadway through established celebrity draws.
