OSCAR, GOLDEN GLOBE AND TONY AWARD-WINNING ACTOR KEVIN SPACEY TO HOST "THE 71ST ANNUAL TONY(R) AWARDS," SUNDAY, JUNE 11 ON CBS

CBS announced today that Oscar, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey will host THE 71st ANNUAL TONY(R) AWARDS, live from the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Sunday, June 11 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network. This will be Spacey's first time hosting the Tonys. He won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play for his performance in "Lost in Yonkers" in 1991.

The nominations for the 2017 TONY Awards will be announced on Tuesday, May 2.

"I was their second choice for 'Usual Suspects,' fourth choice for 'American Beauty' and 15th choice to host this year's Tony Awards. I think my career is definitely going in the right direction," said Spacey. "Maybe I can get shortlisted to host the Oscars if everyone else turns it down."

"A true star of television, film and theater, who better than Kevin Spacey to host this year's Tony Awards?" said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. "With his extensive repertoire, charisma and unparalleled dedication to live theater, we are thrilled to have him join us for this prestigious television event."

"We are thrilled to have Kevin, who has mastered the Broadway stage, the big and small screens and the West End, host this year's Tony Awards! His spirit and passion for live theatre makes him the perfect host, and we can't wait to see the energy he brings to Radio City on Tony night!" said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing.

"We're excited to be working with a witty and charming host who is not only a Tony-winning actor and fan of live theatre, he's also a president who is a true champion of the arts," said executive producers Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner.

Currently, Spacey stars in and executive produces the television series "House of Cards." Since the show premiered in 2013, he's been nominated for multiple Emmys and has won both Golden Globe and SAG Award for his performance as Frank Underwood.

Spacey won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in "American Beauty," and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in "The Usual Suspects." Recently, he starred in "Elvis & Nixon." Next, he will be seen in the feature films "Billionaire Boys Club," "Baby Driver" and "Rebel in the Rye." Through his former production company Trigger Street, he produced "Captain Phillips," starring Tom Hanks, "The Social Network" and "21," as well having produced the Emmy nominated television series "Recount" and "Bernard & Doris."

For over a decade, Spacey served as the Artistic Director of The Old Vic Theatre Company in London. He recently stepped down from this role, but during his time appeared on stage in productions of "National Anthems," "The Philadelphia Story," "Speed the Plow," "Inherit the Wind," "A Moon for the Misbegotten," and the acclaimed production of the one-man show "Darrow." Spacey won the Evening Standard and Olivier Awards for Best Actor for his role in "The Iceman Cometh," as well as the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Play in Neil Simon's "Lost in Yonkers." Also, he starred in the Broadway and West End productions of "Long Day's Journey into Night," opposite his mentor Jack Lemmon, as well as the title role in the Sam Mendes production of "Richard III," which toured 12 cities around the world as part of the three-year Old Vic/BAM/Bridge Project.

Inspired by Jack Lemmon, Spacey has launched initiatives to help young people get their start in the competitive worlds of film and theatre, including: The Kevin Spacey Foundation, which offers support to young actors, writers, directors and producers; and the short film competition "Jameson First Shot," which awarded writers and directors from around the world the opportunity to direct a short film starring a major actor. Recently, Spacey was awarded an Honorary Knighthood from Her Majesty the Queen for his work with the Old Vic, education and philanthropy.

This year marks the 71st anniversary of the TONY Awards, which were first held on April 6, 1947 at the Waldorf Astoria's Grand Ballroom. The ceremony is presented by Tony Award Productions, which is a joint venture of the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, which founded the Tonys.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producers. Weiss will also serve as director for the 18th consecutive year.

RATING: To Be Announced