Leslie Odom Jr. performed “Without You” from Rent during the In Memoriam segment at the 79th Annual Tony Awards on Sunday, June 7, honoring members of the Broadway community lost in 2025 and 2026.
Quick Facts
- Performance took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City
- Rent is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year
- The In Memoriam slideshow honored Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Tom Stoppard, and other Broadway figures
- Odom made his Broadway debut in the 1998 production of Rent
The 44-year-old Tony-winning actor from Hamilton delivered an emotional rendition of the Rent classic, one of the musical’s most poignant ballads about love, loss, and grief. The performance coincided with the show’s landmark 30th anniversary.
The In Memoriam slideshow behind Odom on stage included figures such as Diane Keaton, who began her acting career on Broadway in Hair, as well as Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard, director Mark Brokaw, actor Harris Yulin, performer Carmen de Lavallade, and Sondra Lee, who originated roles in Peter Pan and Hello, Dolly!
Leslie Odom Jr. performs ‘Without You’ at Tony Awards in Rent tribute
Scott Rudin wins Tony Award for ‘Death of a Salesman’ revival
The tribute concluded with a quote from Rent’s creator Jonathan Larson: “Forget regret, or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way, no day but today.” Odom’s appearance came during a milestone year for the actor, who recently returned to Broadway to reprise his Tony-winning role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton for the show’s 10th-anniversary celebration.
Sources
- People.com — confirmed Odom’s performance, the In Memoriam figures honored, Odom’s Broadway debut in 1998 Rent, and the Jonathan Larson quote
- Deadline — confirmed the In Memoriam performance and Rent’s 30th anniversary
- Playbill — confirmed the performance and Rent’s 30th anniversary milestone
- Broadway News — confirmed the In Memoriam segment and the performance details
