Nathan Lane

The Tony-winning actor who plays Teddy Dimas, the Putnam family's old friend and the podcast's sponsor.

Nathan Lane is the celebrated American actor who plays Theodore "Teddy" Dimas, Sr., an old friend and patron of Oliver Putnam's family with ties to the local Greek mafia, in Only Murders in the Building. Born Joseph Lane on February 3, 1956, he earned his name change to avoid confusion with another registered Equity member. Known for versatile roles on stage and screen, Lane received three Emmy Awards, including a Primetime Emmy in 2022 for his role in Only Murders in the Building.

Quick Facts

Birth name: Joseph Lane
Born: 3 February 1956
Birthplace: Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation: Actor
Years active: 1977–present
Spouse: Devlin Elliott (2015)

Lore & Background

Lane's journey to stardom began in Jersey City, where he was born into a Catholic family with Irish immigrant roots. After leaving Saint Joseph's University due to financial constraints, he changed his name from Joseph Lane to Nathan after the character Nathan Detroit from Guys and Dolls. His professional debut came in 1978 in an off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. A pivotal moment occurred in 1982 when he joined the Broadway revival of Noël Coward's Present Laughter, directed by George C. Scott, launching an extensive career marked by a long collaboration with playwright Terrence McNally starting in 1989 with The Lisbon Traviata.

Reader's Guide

Nathan Lane's career is defined by landmark Broadway performances and film roles. He won Best Actor in a Musical for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1996) and The Producers (2001), and Best Featured Actor in a Play for Angels in America (2018). His 25 Broadway credits include Guys and Dolls, Waiting for Godot, and The Addams Family. On screen, he voiced Timon in Disney's The Lion King (1994) and starred in The Birdcage (1996), receiving a Golden Globe nomination. His voice work also earned Daytime Emmy Awards for Teacher's Pet and Timon & Pumbaa. Lane was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2008.