Brooks Ashmanskas Found Inspiration for Smash from His Own Experience in the Industry (Exclusive)

Published: June 6, 2025

Brooks Ashmanskas, nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in the hit Broadway musical Smash, opened up to PEOPLE about finding inspiration from his own experience in the entertainment industry.

Ashmanskas, 55, received his third-ever Tony Award nomination for his performance in the acclaimed Broadway musical Smash, the stage adaptation of the NBC series that follows the making of a fictional Marilyn Monroe musical called Bombshell.

In the show, Ashmanskas plays director and choreographer Nigel — a constant source of comedic relief, whether it's when he's driven to his wits' end by the show's star or he's pining over one of the ensemble's dancers.

While speaking with PEOPLE at the 2025 Tony Awards 'Meet the Nominees' event in May, Ashmanskas shared that he often uses comedy in his own life, adding, "You see how people use a sense of humor to navigate their worlds. I know I do that in life. I try to turn that up, usually, as much as I can, no matter what we're doing."

As for his character, the actor revealed that Nigel is "an amalgamation of all the directors I've worked with."

"I've been very fortunate," the actor said. "I've worked with some really wonderful people, and none of them are jerks. I don't even think [Nigel's] a jerk. I think he's very put upon in this situation. I was always imagining how these wonderful directors I've worked with would respond to some of those situations that he finds himself in. Hence the comedy, because usually, those people would just melt with that kind of pressure."

Ashmanskas praises the creative team for seamlessly bringing the unique piece together. "It is such a different experience for a musical, where it really feels like a Neil Simon play," the Tony nominee shared. "We've always said that we're in a play that's surrounded by a musical, and it's very true. The songs existed prior to this, most of them in it, and they're mostly done in a situation of effect, in rehearsal or in performance."

That unique quality, the actor says, can be difficult to navigate. "It's a challenge to bring those two worlds together in the musical. But it's written so well they've done a lot of that work for us. We just have to deliver the performances."

While Ashmanskas has his comedy skills on display in the show, he puts his singing ability — which he showed off in 2018's The Prom — on the back burner. Unlike his fellow nominees in the Best Featured Actor in a Musical category, the actor does not sing a full song in his role.

"I wish I was equipped to sing those songs," Ashmanskas jokes. "It's a very special talent to be able to sing like that."

In addition to his appreciation for the musical, Ashmanskas tuned into the TV show when it was airing over a decade ago.

"I had a lot of friends who were on the show," he explains. "It was fun to just watch my old friends on it, and so I got sucked into the sort of soapiness of it. And I enjoyed it. Plus, it was weird to see that representation of Broadway on television. It was a big deal."

When it comes to entering the awards season, Ashmanskas is playing it cool.

"I try to enjoy it as much as I can," he says. "It doesn't happen all the time. I've been very fortunate. It's my third time being invited to this party, but I've been here for over 35 years."

The actor adds, "I know it's a big deal, and I just try to enjoy it," adding that he's "already got the win just by earning his nomination.

Tickets for Smash are now on sale. The 2025 Tony Awards will air live from N.Y.C.'s Radio City Music Hall Sunday, June 8 on CBS.