Legendary actor Michael Crawford has shared insights into his interactions with Donald Trump behind the scenes, following the US President’s recent presentation of a prestigious medal to the Hollywood icon for his contributions to American arts.

Hailing from Wiltshire, Michael has been a prominent presence in both stage and screen for over six decades. Widely known for his portrayal of Frank Spencer in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em and as the original star of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of the Opera, he performed over 1,300 times from the musical’s debut in 1986 until his final show in Los Angeles in 1991.

During a ceremony at the Oval Office last week, Michael was awarded the Kennedy Centre medal alongside music legends Kiss, country star George Strait, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and actor Sylvester Stallone. Trump commended Michael as “the great star of Broadway” and lauded the 2025 honorees as a highly accomplished group.

Describing Trump and his team as “good company,” Michael recalled a light-hearted moment between the US President and Sylvester Stallone. He recounted an incident where Trump playfully sprayed cologne on Stallone’s face, leading to a comedic exchange between the two.

In a recent interview with The Times, Michael expressed skepticism regarding Trump’s claim of having footage of Phantom of the Opera from various angles, stating that while some recordings exist, the entire production was not taped. He humorously suggested investigating the possibility of an unauthorized recording by Trump.

The 2025 Kennedy Centre medal recipients were handpicked by Trump after he replaced the previous nominating board. This restructuring of the Kennedy Centre, driven by the president’s personal interest, has stirred controversy within the Washington arts community, with reports of decreased ticket sales following Trump’s increased involvement.

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