Honors and Awards

August Wilson has received many honors and awards; here we list them in chronological order.

1985

New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom)

1986

Whiting Writers' Award (Ma Rainey's Black Bottom)
American Theatre Critics' Association Award (Fences)

1987

Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play (Fences)
New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play (Fences)
Pulitzer Prize for Drama (Fences)
Tony Award for Best Play (Fences)
Outer Critics Circle Award (Fences)

1988

Literary Lion Award from the New York Public Library
New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play (Joe Turner's Come and Gone)

1990

Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Distinguished Pennsylvania Artists
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play (The Piano Lesson)
New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play (The Piano Lesson)
Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Piano Lesson)

1991

Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame award

1992

American Theatre Critics' Association Award (Two Trains Running)
New York Drama Critics Circle Citation for Best American Play (Two Trains Running)
Clarence Muse Award

1996

Peabody Award (The Piano Lesson)
New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play (Seven Guitars)

1999

National Humanities Medal

2000

New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play (Jitney)

2001

Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play (Jitney)

2002

Olivier Award for Best new Play (Jitney)

2004

The 10th Annual Heinz Award in Arts and Humanities
The U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Freedom of Speech Award

2005

Make Shift Award at the U.S. Confederation of Play Writers

2007

Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Revival (Two Trains Running)
New York Drama Circle Critics Award for Best Play (Radio Golf)

2010

Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play (Fences)

2017

Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play (Jitney)
Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay (Fences)