Legendary actor Michael Crawford shared insights into his interactions with Donald Trump behind the scenes after the US President honored him with a prestigious medal for his contributions to American arts. Michael, hailing from Wiltshire, has been captivating audiences on stage and screen for more than six decades. He is renowned for his portrayal of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em and as the original lead in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, performing over 1,300 times from its premiere in 1986 until his final bow in Los Angeles in 1991.
Recently, Michael was awarded the Kennedy Centre medal in a ceremony at the Oval Office, recognizing his artistic achievements alongside music icons Kiss, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and Sylvester Stallone. Trump lauded Michael as a Broadway luminary, praising his talents and those of his fellow recipients.
The actor described Trump and his team as enjoyable company, recalling a light-hearted moment with Sly Stallone. While Trump claimed to have recordings of Phantom of the Opera from all angles, Michael expressed doubts, suggesting further investigation into the matter. Trump’s involvement in selecting the 2025 Kennedy Centre medal winners caused controversy, as he replaced the previous nominating board, leading to a decline in ticket sales and sparking outrage within Washington’s arts community.