Trivia

In 2009, while Butz was in Seattle performing in the out-of-town previews of the musical "Catch Me If You Can," his sister Teresa (who lived in Seattle with her fiancée, Jennifer Hopper) was raped and then stabbed to death. Hopper was also raped and severely wounded, but a detective on the case told reporters that Teresa had sacrificed herself to save Jennifer. Teresa and Jennifer had planned to get married that September. The Seattle opening of "Catch Me If You Can" was briefly delayed out of respect for the Butz family. When Norbert Leo Butz won the Tony for his lead performance in the musical, he dedicated it to his father and his sister, saying "this is for my father, I based this character on, and for my sister. I love you Teresa. We remember you every night." In 2011, Teresa's murderer, Isaiah Kalebu, was convicted of "aggravated murder" and was sentenced to life in prison without possibility of parole. In 2012, Seattle journalist Eli Sanders of "The Stranger" newspaper won a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing for his article about Hopper and Butz.

He won the 2005 Best Actor in a Musical Tony for his role in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." His co-star in the musical and fellow Tony nominee was John Lithgow.

His last performance in "Rent" was December 6, 1998. He'd been a swing and eventually played the role of Roger.

In 2011, he won his second Tony award for lead actor in a musical for "Catch Me If You Can," in which he played Agent Carl Hanratty, the role originated by Tom Hanks in the nonmusical movie version of the play.

7th of 11 children. Although he has six brothers older than he is, he was named after his father.

Went to Bishop DuBourg High School

Was snubbed when he was around 7 when five members of his family auditioned for roles in a high school production of "The King and I." Everyone got parts but him.

Grew up in South St. Louis.

Currently starring in the musical Wicked on Broadway. (December 2003)

Originally a journalism major at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Then switched to Webster University. He has degree in theatre

Earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Alabama/Alabama Shakespeare Festival's Professional Actor Training Program.

Continuing the role of Freddy Benson in the musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels for the first six cities on tour. (August 2006)

Is appearing in the tour of "Cabaret" as the Emcee.

Performing in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" at the Imperial Theater on Broadway. (January 2005)

Brother of actor Jim Butz.

Achieved a degree in theater from Webster University.

Was nominated for Broadway's 2002 Tony Award as Best Actor (Featured Role - Musical) for "Thou Shalt Not."

Is now engaged to Michelle Federer, who played the role of Nessarose to Norbert's Fieyro in the musical "Wicked." (Feb. 2007).

Performing the role of Fiyero in the musical "Wicked" on Broadway. It opened in September 2003. (March 2004)

Spent four years in the company of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.

Originated the role of Jamie in Jason Robert Brown's off-Broadway musical "The Last Five Years".

Won the 2005 Tony award on June 5, 2005, for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of con man Freddy Benson in the Broadway musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels". (June 2005)

Opens on December 9 on Broadway starring in 'Is He Dead?' by Mark Twain. (December 2007)

Has a daughter named Maggie Lou.

Has a daughter named Georgia Teresa born on January 2, 2011.

He was nominated for a 2001 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role in a Musical for "The Last Five Years" at the Northlight Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

Has a daughter named Clara Virginia

Won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels."

Maplewood, New Jersey (August 2010)

For his leading performance in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Butz won the 2005 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical.