Stinton lived in New York, 1978–1985, during which he created the title role in Mamet's "Edmond", and received a Theatre World Award for his role in Mamet's "The Water Engine", on Broadway. He moved to London in 1985, where he spent several years at the National Theatre in addition to work in the West End and in film, television and radio. He returned to New York to earn a Drama Desk Award nomination for his role in the U.S. premier of Richard Nelson's "Some American's Abroad", and played Mr. Robinson in both the London and New York stage versions of "The Graduate".