Alan Cumming reveals to Harry Connick Jr. why the FBI once escorted him off of a plane in Washington DC

Tony winner Alan Cumming paid a visit to Harry Connick Jr.’s daytime talk show this week and was asked by the host to reveal a big secret.

‘I was once escorted off a plane by the FBI,’ Cumming replied.

Connick, of course, wanted details.

‘I was on my way to Washington to sing at the Kennedy Center Honors, there was a tribute to Cabaret and I was asked to sing,’ Cumming explained.

‘I missed the plane. The plane I got on was making it very tight for me to get there and I was opening the show.’

It turns out that among those waiting for Cumming inside the Kennedy Center was then-President Bill Clinton in addition to the honorees and an impressive collection of Hollywood and Washington elite.

‘When the President is coming to the Kennedy Center, maybe everywhere, once the President arrives they lock the doors,’ Cumming said.

‘So basically the FBI was sent to get me to make sure I got there in the time before the President arrives so I could start the show.’

The FBI agents did not have to spend any time looking for Cumming.

‘I was actually at the door when they opened the door,’ he said.

‘I remember thinking, “Are these Mormons?” They had the same outfit as a Mormon. The door opened and there were these two enormous Mormon looking people going “Alan Cumming!” and they pulled me down the escalator the wrong way and then we drove up into the grass because they had the flashing thing on.

‘It was very exciting.’

Below is Cumming’s performance on that night.