2015 Edwin Forrest Award honorees: Ellen Tobie and Larry Gilberti stand with Producing Artistic
Director Bernard Havard. Photo by Mark Garvin.
The Edwin Forrest Award was established in 1990 to recognize the long-term, significant contribution to American theatre by an individual or organization. It was named in honor of actor Edwin Forrest (1802-1872), a native Philadelphian often described as America's first great tragedian. Forrest made his stage debut in 1820 in the Walnut Street Theatre production of John Hume's tragedy, Douglas.
Forrest encouraged the development of a truly American theatre that would reflect the tenets of the new republic. He commissioned playwrights to create new works in which he and other American actors could perform. As a final testament to his commitment to the theatre, he endowed his home to be used by indigent actors.
| 2023 | Joseph Meterchick · Regional President for Philadelphia, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey at PNC Bank, National Association |
| 2022 | Ramona Gwynn · Arts Patron |
| 2018 | Ron Bowlan · Arts Patron |
| 2017 | Denise D. Hodgson · Arts Patron |
| 2016 | Len Karabell · Former Walnut Street Theatre Controller Audrey Merves · Arts Patron |
| 2015 | Ellen Tobie · Actress Larry Gilberti · Arts Patron |
| 2013 | Albert A. Giagnacova · Arts Patron |
| 2012 | Hugh Panaro · Actor Martin W. Spector · Arts Patron |
| 2011 | Diane Dalto Woosnam · Arts Advocate Dennis Bianchi, NBC-10 · Media Partner |
| 2010 | Chuck Abbott · Director Dan Fitzpatrick, Citizens Bank · Arts patron |
| 2009 | Ann Marie Richter · Arts Patron John P. Connolly · Executive Director, Actors' Equity Association Mark Zimmerman · President, Actors' Equity Association |
| 2008 | Jack Graham · Arts Patron Robert Prosky · Actor |
| 2007 | Ed Satell · Arts Patron Tony Macauley · Composer/Lyricist |
| 2006 | Matt Garfield · Arts Patron Malcolm Black · Director |
| 2005 | Louis W. Fryman, Esq., Fox Rothschild LLP · Arts Patron Patrick Quinn · Actor |
| 2004 | Governor Mark Schweiker · Arts Patron Sherman Frank · Musical Director |
| 2003 | Senator and Mrs. Arlen Specter · Arts Patron Sheldon Harnick · Lyricist |
| 2002 | Pennsylvania House Majority Leader John Perzel · Arts Patron Danny Newman · Legendary Arts Marketer |
| 2001 | Kenneth G. Lawrence, PECO Energy Company · Arts Patron Joseph Stein · Playwright |
| 2000 | Paul S. Beideman, Mellon Bank · Arts Patron Alfred Uhry · Playwright |
| 1999 | Marvin Comisky, Blank Rome LLP · Arts Patron Kim Hunter · Actress |
| 1998 | Ira L. Kamens, PLAYBILL Publisher Mid-Atlantic Region · Arts Patron Ken Ludwig · Playwright |
| 1997 | Mayor Edward G. Rendell · Arts Patron Laurie Beechman · Actress & Recording Star |
| 1996 | David Girard-DiCarlo, Blank Rome LLP · Arts Patron E.G. Marshall · Actor |
| 1995 | Raymond W. Smith, Bell Atlantic · Arts Patron Richard Kiley · Actor |
| 1994 | Terrence Larsen, CoreStates Financial Corp. · Arts Patron Patricia Neal · Actress |
| 1993 | Frederick W. Anton III · Arts Patron |
| 1992 | F. Otto Haas · Arts Patron |
| 1991 | Celeste Holm · Actress |
| 1990 | Frank C. P. McGlinn · Theatre Historian |
