Sean Hayes Will Host 64th Annual Tony Awards

NEW YORK (CBS) Actor/Comedian Sean Hayes will host the 64th Annual Tony Awards broadcasting live from New York's Radio City Music Hall on June 13.

Best known as Jack McFarland on NBC's "Will & Grace," the 39-year-old actor has filled many roles since that star-making turn - a role which garnered him an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

"I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Tony Awards," said Hayes. "As the new guy on Broadway, it's an honor to be included in the established alumni."

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Hayes is in the Broadway production of "Promises, Promises" where he plays lead Chuck Baxter, who longs for co-worker Fran Kubelik (played by actress Kristin Chenoweth), a performance which has the actor at the center of heated controversy. Newsweek columnist Ramin Sedooteh dismissed Hayes as a "too gay" actor, unconvincingly trying to "play it straight." Co-star Kristin Chenoweth quickly came to Hayes' defense turning it into a media back-and-forth with actors and critics taking sides.

Last year's host was Neil Patrick Harris, another openly gay actor. Harris plays a straight character on the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother."

It will be interesting to see how Hayes reacts to the controversy when the broadcast airs. He is currently nominated for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in the 1968 revival.

The Tony Awards ceremony will air 8 p.m. ET live on CBS.