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Estelle Parsons

Birth Place: Lynn, MA, USA

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BIO

Parsons was last seen on Broadway in The Velocity of Autumn for which she received her fifth Tony Award nomination. Although she has spent most of her professional life in the theatre, she is most widely known for her Academy Award-winning performance in Bonnie and Clyde, and her decade-long, recurring role of Beverly, mother of the title character in the hit sitcom Roseanne.



In the theatre, she has appeared in plays by the great writers of our time, including Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, Dario Fo, and Horton Foote. She appeared in Roberto Athayde's classic Miss Margarida's Way on Broadway, all over the United States and in London, Dublin, Turkey and Australia. She starred in August, Osage County by Tracy Letts on Broadway for a year and on the road for a year. Recently she played in Good People by David Lindsay-Abair and the Gershwin musical, Nice Work if You Can Get It, with Matthew Broderick. Her most recent New York City appearance was at Playwrights Horizons in Michael Friedman's musical Unknown Soldier which was interrupted by the pandemic. As a director, she created the New York Shakespeare Festival Players for Joseph Papp in the 1980s. She is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio and was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2004.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway Premiere, 2020
Lucy Anderson

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater's Off-Broadway Revival, 2019
Die Alte

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Evelyn

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Alexandra

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2012
Millicent Winter

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2011
Dottie

[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Helga ten Dorp

[US Tour]
National Tour, 2009
Violet Weston

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Performer [Replacement]

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 2005
Maude

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2002
Cora Swanson

[Off-Broadway]
2000
Fannie Mae Gossett

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Grace Stiles

[Broadway]
1994
Felicity

[Broadway]
1992
Denny

[Broadway]
1990
Miss Margarida

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Goya

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Martha Mitchell

[Off-Broadway]
1983
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1981
Ruth

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1980
Performer

[Broadway]
1977
Miss Margarida

[Off-Broadway]
1977
Miss Margarida

[Broadway]
1977
Dede Cooper

[Broadway]
1974
Mert

[Off-Broadway]
1973
Guinevere

[Broadway]
1971
Catherine Reardon

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1970
Widow Begbick

[Off-Broadway]
1970
Leocadia Begbick

[Off-Broadway]
1969
Aase

[Broadway]
1968
Myrtle

[Broadway]
1967
Performer

[Broadway]
1967
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1966
Mrs. Goldman (Suburban Tragedy)

Shirley (Princess)

[Broadway]
1966
A street walker, Madame Rosita

Laureen

[Broadway]
1964
Felicia

[Off-Broadway]
1963
Lizzie

[Broadway]
Unknown, 1963
Mother Courage (Understudy)

Yvette Pottier (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Mrs. Dally (Mrs. Dally)

[Off-Broadway]
1961
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1960
Ollie

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1959
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1958
Reservation Resident

Reservation Resident

Glenda Swenson (Understudy)

Mrs. Kellenbach (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1956
Singer

Mary Mills

[Broadway]
1969
Performer

Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1983]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1973]
General Manager/Press

Awards and Nominations


winner
- 2017 - Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees

Estelle Parsons

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Estelle Parsons, Good People

Helen Hayes Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Estelle ParsonsAugust: Osage County

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons, Morning's at Seven

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Estelle Parsons, Orgasmo Adulto Escapes from the Zoo


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1978 - Unique Theatrical Experience

Estelle Parsons, Miss Magarida's Way

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons , Miss Margarida's Way

Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons , And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little

Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons, Seven Descents of Myrtle


winner
Obie Awards - 1964 - Performance

Estelle Parsons, Next Time I'll Sing To You


winner
Obie Awards - 1964 - Performance

Estelle ParsonsIn the Summer House


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1963 - Performance

Estelle ParsonsMrs. Dally Has a Lover

Videos

News


New York Events Set for 100th Birthday of Geraldine Page

The actress and writer Angelica Page will celebrate the centennial of her mother, Geraldine Page, in association with Yale University’s Beinecke Library which holds the Geraldine Page Papers. Learn about upcoming events.
Úna Clancy Joins THE DEAD, 1904 at Irish Rep

The Dead, 1904, the immersive adaptation of James Joyce’s classic story, has announced a change in casting. Estelle Parsons has departed the production due to personal conflicts.  “Aunt Kate” will be played by Irish actress Úna Clancy.
Kate Baldwin and Christopher Innvar Join Irish Rep's THE DEAD, 1904

The full cast has been revealed for Irish Repertory Theatre's return of The Dead, 1904 - an immersive adaptation of James Joyce’s classic story, “The Dead,” adapted by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Irish poet Paul Muldoon. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: MELTDOWN World Premiere At Theatre for the New City

Toby Armour’s timely new play Meltdown is currently running at Theater for the New City (TNC) until October 27. See photos from the production.
Leslie Uggams to be Honored by Encompass New Opera Theatre

Encompass New Opera Theatre will honor Tony Award winner Leslie Uggams with a musical tribute on October 27, 2024. Learn more about Uggams and about the event.
A History of ROMEO AND JULIET

This time, the reader question was: What is the history of Romeo and Juliet on Broadway?
Lena Hall and Jay Armstrong Johnson Join Abingdon Theatre Company's 32nd Anniversary Gala

Abingdon Theatre Company has announced that Tony Award Winner Lena Hall (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and Jay Armstrong Johnson (Parade) will round out the cast for their 32nd anniversary gala.
Estelle Parsons and Mary Beth Peil to Star in Irish Rep's THE DEAD, 1904

Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons and Obie Award winner and Tony Award nominee Mary Beth Peil will come to The American Irish Historical Society townhouse for the long-awaited return of The Dead, 1904. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Bianca Marroquín, Claybourne Elder, John Riddle, and More Join Abingdon Theatre Company Gala

Abingdon Theatre Company has announced the additional casting to kick off their season at the 32nd anniversary gala honoring longtime board member, Emmy, Olivier, and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Jim Kierstead.
Toby Armour's MELTDOWN to Have World Premiere at Theater for the New City

Toby Armour's new play MELTDOWN, directed by Joan Kane, will have its world premiere at Theater for the New City. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
World Premiere Of LIBERTY TALKS: A COLOSSAL SATIRE Comes to Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater

Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater will present the World Premiere of LIBERTY TALKS: A Colossal Satire by Provincetown playwright Fermin Rojas, directed by Janice L. Goldberg.
Kate Baldwin, Tony Yazbeck, and More Set For Abingdon Theatre Company's 32nd Anniversary Gala

Abingdon Theatre Company has announced the initial casting to kick off their season at the 32nd anniversary gala honoring longtime board member, Emmy, Olivier, and six-time Tony Award-winning producer Jim Kierstead.
Frog & Peach Theatre Company to Present TINKERBELL THEATRE at the LGBT Center

Frog & Peach Theatre Company will present TINKERBELL THEATRE live on Pride Day, June 30th, at the LGBT Center in NYC. Learn more!
Del Hughes Awards Honorees for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management, The Founders Award & Special Recognition Award Revealed

The Stage Managers’ Association (SMA) has announced its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management.
Theatre for the New City to Present August Strindberg Rep in MISS JULIE 1925

From June 27 to July 7, Theater for the New City will present August Strindberg Rep in a production, translated from the Swedish and adapted by Robert Greer, that transplants Strindberg's story to a Long Island country estate in 1925. 
Harlem Stage Announces New Artistic Director and CEO

Harlem Stage has announced producer, director, scholar, and arts and cultural executive Dr. Indira Etwaroo as its new Artistic Director and CEO.
Encompass Opera Presents New Works Inspired By Immigration On June 9

Encompass Opera will present a unique collection of new works inspired by immigration on June 9th.
Abingdon Theatre Company Reveals Upcoming Work in 31st Season Around The Table Reading Series

Abingdon Theatre Company has announced two of the upcoming pieces they are developing through their Around the Table Reading Series.
Cast Set For AMERICAN ROT at La MaMa

AMERICAN ROT – a new play by Kate Taney Billingsley, directed by Estelle Parsons – will be given its world-premiere production at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre. Find out who is starring in the production here!
RPR Productions Presents BIG MAMA AND ME At Episcopal Actors Guild In NYC

Richarda Abrams' new play, 'Big Mama and Me,' explores the intergenerational relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter. Set in the South and Midwest, the play tells the story of Big Mama, a patented inventor and accomplished composer, and the impact she had on those around her. Presented by RPR Productions, the world premiere runs from March 6-9 at the Episcopal Actors Guild in NYC. Featuring music direction by Amina Claudine Myers and co-production by Peggy Abrams.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Estelle Parsons been in?

Estelle Parsons has appeared on Broadway in 25 shows.

How many West End shows has Estelle Parsons been in?

Estelle Parsons has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Estelle Parsons's first West End show?

Estelle Parsons's first West End show was Deathtrap which opened in 2010

What awards has Estelle Parsons been nominated for?

Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees (), Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Velocity of Autumn, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Velocity of Autumn, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Velocity of Autumn, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Good People, Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for August: Osage County , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Morning's at Seven, Outstanding Solo Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Orgasmo Adulto Escapes from the Zoo, Unique Theatrical Experience (Drama Desk Awards) for Miss Magarida's Way, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Miss Margarida's Way, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Seven Descents of Myrtle, Performance (Obie Awards) for Next Time I'll Sing To You, Performance (Obie Awards) for In the Summer House and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Mrs. Dally Has a Lover.

What awards has Estelle Parsons won?

Estelle Parsons has received several prestigious awards throughout her career. She was honored by the Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees. She won the Unique Theatrical Experience award at the Drama Desk Awards for Miss Margarida's Way. Additionally, she received Performance awards from the Obie Awards for Next Time I'll Sing To You and In the Summer House. She also won a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for Mrs. Dally Has a Lover.

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