THE CLARENCE DERWENT AWARD

In May of 2001, I purchased the Clarence Derwent Award that Judy Holliday won back in 1945 for her work in the Broadway play "Kiss Them For Me".

Established one year earlier in 1944, the Derwent Award is the oldest theatre award given out (pre-dating the Tony Awards by three years). It is named after the actor and former Actors Equity president, Clarence Derwent. The award honors the most promising male and female performers on the New York theatre scene. Past winners include:

Gene Hackman
James Woods
Morgan Freeman
Annette Bening
George C. Scott
Joan Allen
John Malkovich
Christopher Walken
Calista Flockhart
Gene Wilder
Mercedes Ruehl
Kristin Chenoweth

Though the Derwent Award is still presented annually, the shape of the award and prize money have changed. The egg-shaped trophy has been replaced with a trophy that resembles a square pane of glass and the prize money is currently at $1,000...which is double what Judy took home in 1945.

The award itself is 5 inches in length and weighs 2 and a half pounds. The solid glass egg rests on a black wood base. The award was created in Sweden at the Kosta Glass factory, famed makers of fine glass items since 1742. To see more pictures of the Derwent Award, click the thumbnails below.

Award photography by Larry Alexander