VIDEO: Nathan Lane Talks ‘Death of a Salesman’ Revival and Making ‘The Birdcage’ With Robin Williams

Nathan Lane’s visit to the Stern Show on Tuesday functioned as much as a career retrospective as a promotional stop for his lauded Broadway revival of “Death of a Salesman.” While Lane discussed the complexities of inhabiting Willy Loman for eight shows a week, his captivating conversation with Howard quickly opened up into a remarkably candid reflection on his own life and the hurdles he cleared to reach the marquee.

The accomplished actor traced a path from a challenging upbringing — marked by the early loss of his father — to his 1982 Broadway debut alongside George C. Scott. He also answered Howard’s questions about his Tony-winning turn in Mel Brooks’ treasured musical “The Producers” and the 2022 Emmy he nabbed for guest starring on “Only Murders in the Building.” The discussion inevitably turned to Mike Nichols’ groundbreaking 1996 film “The Birdcage,” starring Lane and legendary funnyman Robin Williams. A hit with critics and moviegoers alike, the film is celebrated for being one of the first mainstream movies to center its story around a gay couple. But as Nathan explained it Tuesday morning, Robin very nearly starred in the film opposite someone else. One of Lane’s eventual “Only Murders” co-stars, in fact.

“It was supposed to be Steve Martin and Robin,” he told Howard. “Robin was going to play the [more flamboyant] part I played, [but] Steve had another commitment and Robin thought because he had played ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ he should play the more subdued role — and that’s why the part opened up.”

Lane wasn’t exactly a movie star at that point in his career, and he told Howard he’s forever grateful that Williams — who could’ve picked anyone he wanted to replace Martin after he dropped out — chose to work with him. “[‘The Birdcage’] was an enormous break for me, and it was certainly the biggest role I’d ever played in a film by that point,” Nathan said before adding that it ultimately didn’t open up as many doors for him in Hollywood as he would’ve hoped.

“I had an agent at the time. He was bald, he had a big mustache and tinted aviator glasses. He looked like the maître d’ in some S&M bar in the Village,” he recalled. “I remember I was about to re-sign with him, and I said, ‘Gee, I was hoping maybe more film work might come my way after “The Birdcage.”’ And he said, ‘Well, maybe if you weren’t so open about your lifestyle it would have.’”

“At that point, I was out but I wasn’t out as a ‘public figure,’” Nathan told Howard, explaining he was reluctant to discuss his sexuality during the press tour in part because he didn’t want that story to detract from the film he and his colleagues had made.

“The jig was up and I should’ve just been brave enough and said it, but I didn’t,” he continued before reflecting upon a joint appearance he and Williams made on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in 1996: “There was a moment where I thought I could have said it, but again I just wasn’t emotionally prepared and emotionally mature enough to deal with it — and Robin sort of protected me.”

“It took a couple of years before I was ready to talk about it,” he added. “And then people were like, ‘Yeah, well, it’s old news.’”

Nathan’s appreciation for his “Birdcage” co-star didn’t end there. “[Robin] was the kindest, most generous soul … No one could’ve been more supporting and loving,” he said. “He loved that, if he improvised, I could go with him where he wanted to go — and he was the greatest.”

Check out the videos (below) for more of the actor’s epic sit-down with the King of All Media — including the story behind Nathan (born Joseph Lane) adopting a stage name and the serendipitous saga of how he met Devlin Elliott, his husband of over 10 years.

Meeting His Husband

Coming Out to His Family

Why He Changed His Name

See Nathan Lane in “Death of a Salesman” at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre now through Aug. 9.