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Bernadette Peters

Birth Place: Ozone Park, NY, USA

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BIO

Bernadette Peters is an American actress, singer, and children's book author. Over a career spanning more than six decades, she has starred in musical theatre, television and film, performed in solo concerts and released recordings. She is a critically acclaimed Broadway performer, having received seven nominations for Tony Awards, winning two (plus an honorary award), and nine Drama Desk Award nominations, winning three. Four of the Broadway cast albums on which she has starred have won Grammy Awards.


Regarded by many as the foremost interpreter of the works of Stephen Sondheim, Peters is particularly noted for her roles on the Broadway stage, including in the musicals Mack and Mabel (1974), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Song and Dance (1985), Into the Woods (1987), The Goodbye Girl (1993), Annie Get Your Gun (1999), Gypsy (2003), A Little Night Music (2010), Follies (2011), and Hello, Dolly! (2018). She has recorded six solo albums as well as many cast albums, and performs regularly in her own solo concert act.
Peters first performed on the stage as a child actress and then a teenager in the 1960s, and in film and television from the 1970s. She was praised for this early work and for appearances on, among other programs, The Muppet Show and The Carol Burnett Show, and for her roles in films including Silent Movie (1976), The Jerk (1979), Pennies from Heaven (1981, for which she won a Golden Globe Award), and Annie (1982). She has also acted in television shows such as Ally McBeal, Smash (2012–2013), Mozart in the Jungle (2014–2018), The Good Fight (2017–2018), Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020–2021) and High Desert (2023).
Peters made her West End debut in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, running at the Gielgud Theatre from September 2023 to January 2024. The revue is scheduled to transfer to Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in March 2025, following a pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2025
Performer
Hello, Dolly! Hello, Dolly!
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2017
Dolly Gallagher Levi [Replacement]
Follies Follies
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2011
Sally Durant Plummer
Follies Follies
[Washington, DC (Regional)]
Kennedy Center Revival, 2011
Sally Durant Plummer
A Little Night Music A Little Night Music
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2009
Desirée Armfeldt [Replacement]
Bounce
[New York]
Reading, 2006
Performer
Gypsy Gypsy
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2003
Rose
Annie Get Your Gun
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1999
Annie Oakley
Into the Woods
[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 1997
Witch
Skin of Our Teeth
[New York]
Workshop, 1996
Sabina
Sunday in the Park with George
[Broadway]
Reunion Concert, 1994
Marie
Dot
The Goodbye Girl
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1993
Paula
Into the Woods
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1987
Witch
Witch [Replacement]
Song and Dance
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1985
Emma
Sunday in the Park with George
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1984
Dot
Dot [Replacement]
Marie
Marie [Replacement]
Sunday in the Park with George
[Off-Broadway]
Playwrights Horizons Workshop, 1983
Dot (Act One)
Annette (Act Two)
Dot
Sally and Marsha
[Off-Broadway]
1982
Sally
Mack & Mabel
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1974
Mabel Normand
Dames at Sea
[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 1973
Ruby
Cherry
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production [Cancelled], 1972
Performer
On the Town
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1971
Hildy Esterhazy
W.C.
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1971
Performer
La Strada
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1969
Performer
Dames at Sea
[Off-Broadway]
1969
Ruby
Dames at Sea
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1968
Ruby
Ruby
A Mother's Kisses
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1968
Performer
George M!
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1968
Josie Cohan
Curley McDimple
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1967
Alice
Alice
Johnny No-Trump
[Broadway]
1967
Bettina
The Girl in the Freudian Slip
[Broadway]
1967
Leslie Maugham (Standby)
The Penny Friend
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1966
Cinderella
Cinderella
Gypsy
[US Tour]
1st National Tour, 1961
Thelma
Hawaiian Girl
The Most Happy Fella
[Broadway]
City Center Revival, 1959
Tessie

Movies

Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies
[ 1973 ] Allison
The Longest Yard
[ 1974 ] Warden's Secretary
Vigilante Force
[ 1976 ] Little Dee
W.C. Fields and Me
[ 1976 ] Melody
Silent Movie
[ 1976 ] Vilma Kaplan
The Jerk
[ 1979 ] Marie
Heartbeeps
[ 1981 ] Aqua
Pennies from Heaven
[ 1981 ] Eileen
Tulips
[ 1981 ] Rutanya Wallace
Annie
[ 1982 ] Lily
Slaves of New York
[ 1989 ] Eleanor
Pink Cadillac
[ 1989 ] Lou Ann McGuinn
Alice
[ 1990 ] Muse
Impromptu
[ 1991 ] Marie D'Agoult
Anastasia
[ 1997 ] Sophie
Let It Snow
[ 1999 ] Elise Ellis
It Runs in the Family
[ 2003 ] Rebecca Gromberg
Wine and Kisses
[ 2007 ] Mary Ann
Coming Up Roses
[ 2011 ] Diane
Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return
[ 2013 ] Glinda
The Broken Hearts Gallery
[ 2020 ] Eva Woolf
tick, tick... BOOM!
[ 2021 ] Sunday' Legend
Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas
[ 2021 ] Deb

TV Shows

Kraft Theatre
Anna Stieman
The Christmas Tree
Girl
George M!
Josie Cohan
Once Upon a Mattress
Lady Larken
The Owl and the Pussycat
Doris
Maude
Kathy Griffith
All in the Family
Linda Galloway
McCloud
B.B. Murchison
McCoy
Brenda Brooks
All's Fair
[ 1976-1977 ] Charley Drake
The Islander
Trudy Engles
The Martian Chronicles
Genevieve Seltzer
Baryshnikov in Hollywood
The Girl in 'The Sheik'
Faerie Tale Theatre
Sleeping Beauty, Princess Debbie
David
Marie Rothenberg
The Last Best Year
Jane Murray
Carol & Company
Kate Benton
Fall from Grace
Tammy Faye Bakker
The Carol Burnett Show
Skit Characters
American Playhouse
[ 1986-1991 ] The Witch, Dot, Marie
The Larry Sanders Show
Bernadette Peters
Cinderella
Cinderella's Stepmother
The Odyssey
Circe
Holiday in Your Heart
Faith Shawn
What the Deaf Man Heard
Helen Ayers
The Closer
Victoria Sherwood
Teacher's Pet
Fifi
Ally McBeal
Cassandra Lewis
Prince Charming
Margo, Titania
Frasier
Rachel
Bobbie's Girl
Bailey Lewis
Adopted
Sarah Leaf
Will & Grace
Gin
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Stella Danquiss
Boston Legal
Judge Marianna Folger
Living Proof
Barbara Bradfield
Grey's Anatomy
Sarabeth Breyers
Ugly Betty
Jodie Papadakis
Smash
[ 2012-2013 ] Leigh Conroy
Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce
Annie
Mozart in the Jungle
[ 2014-2018 ] Gloria Windsor
The Good Fight
[ 2017-2018 ] Lenore Rindell
Katy Keene
Ms. Freesia
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
[ 2020-2021 ] Deb
High Desert
Rosalyn, Ginger

Awards and Nominations


winner
Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater

Bernadette Peters

Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Follies


winner
Tony Awards - 2012 - Isabelle Stevenson Award

Bernadette Peters


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2003 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Bernadette Peters, Gypsy

Tony Awards - 2003 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Gypsy


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Bernadette Peters, Annie Get Your Gun


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Annie Get Your Gun


winner
Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Annie Get Your Gun

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1993 - Best Actress - Musical

Bernadette Peters, The Goodbye Girl

Tony Awards - 1993 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, The Goodbye Girl

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Bernadette Peters, Into the Woods


winner
Drama League Awards - 1986 - Distinguished Performance Award

Bernadette Peters, Song and Dance


winner
Tony Awards - 1986 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Song and Dance

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Sunday in the Park with George

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Sunday in the Park with George

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Bernadette Peters, Sally and Marsha

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actress - Musical

Bernadette Peters, Mack & Mabel

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Bernadette Peters, Mack and Mabel


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Bernadette Peters , On The Town


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1969 - Outstanding Performance

Bernadette Peters, Dames at Sea


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1968 - Performance

Bernadette Peters, George M!

Videos

More Videos

News


STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Extends for Two More Weeks Photo
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Extends for Two More Weeks
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2025

Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, has extended for two more weeks. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Annaleigh Ashford and James Lapine to Honor Mandy Patinkin at Signature Theatre Photo
Annaleigh Ashford and James Lapine to Honor Mandy Patinkin at Signature Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 24, 2025

Virginia’s Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Mandy Patinkin with the company’s fourteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more about the event and see how to purchase tickets.
Rocky Paterra, Esther Fallick, Sean McManus Join COMEDIANS SING SONDHEIM Photo
Rocky Paterra, Esther Fallick, Sean McManus Join COMEDIANS SING SONDHEIM
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 19, 2025

This Sunday, New York City comedians will show off their singing chops at Send in the Clowns: Comedians Sing Sondheim, a one-night tribute show celebrating the musical theater legend who turns 95 this week.
Bernadette Peters to Open Milwaukee Rep's New Associated Bank Theater Center Photo
Bernadette Peters to Open Milwaukee Rep's New Associated Bank Theater Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Three-time Tony Award recipient Bernadette Peters will headline a special concert to mark the grand opening of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Associated Bank Theater Center. Learn more and see how to attend.
Video: Watch Bernadette Peters Sing 'Broadway Baby' on THE TONIGHT SHOW Photo
Video: Watch Bernadette Peters Sing 'Broadway Baby' on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Michael Major - Mar 13, 2025

Bernadette Peters sat down on the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon last night to discuss returning to Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. Watch the video of her bursting into a rendition of 'Broadway Baby.'
HIRSCHFELD'S SONDHEIM Poster Book Will Be Released This Year Photo
HIRSCHFELD'S SONDHEIM Poster Book Will Be Released This Year
by Stephi Wild - Mar 13, 2025

A new poster book titled Hirschfeld’s Sondheim will be released later this year.  For the first time ever, Al Hirschfeld’s art of Stephen Sondheim’s musicals will be made available, packaged in an oversized removable poster book.
Melissa Errico to Bring THE STORY OF A ROSE To D.C. Region Photo
Melissa Errico to Bring THE STORY OF A ROSE To D.C. Region
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025

Tony Award-nominated Broadway actress, singer and author Melissa Errico will take the stage at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center in May. Learn more about the performance and see how to attend!
Melissa Errico to Bring THE STORY OF A ROSE To D.C. Region Photo
Melissa Errico to Bring THE STORY OF A ROSE To D.C. Region
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 12, 2025

Tony Award-nominated Broadway actress Melissa Errico will take the stage at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on May 7, with her mesmerizing new musical presentation, The Story of a Rose: A Musical Reverie on The Great War.
Mainland Regional High School To Stage HELLO, DOLLY! Photo
Mainland Regional High School To Stage HELLO, DOLLY!
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 11, 2025

Mainland Regional High School will present its highly anticipated spring musical, Hello, Dolly!, a Broadway classic that will take the stage on March 20, 21, and 22 at 7:00 PM, with a special matinee performance on March 22 at 1:00 PM.
SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. to be Presented at the Ahmanson Theatre Photo
SHREK THE MUSICAL JR. to be Presented at the Ahmanson Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 7, 2025

Center Theatre Group and Pasadena Playhouse will present a special, one-night-only, benefit performance of Altadena and Eliot Arts Magnet’s production of Shrek The Musical JR. Learn how to attend.
Season Ticket Holders Share Their Excitement About The Muny's 107th Season in 2025 Photo
Season Ticket Holders Share Their Excitement About The Muny's 107th Season in 2025
by James Lindhorst - Mar 7, 2025

On Monday, March 10, 2025, new season subscriptions go on sale for The Muny’s107th season. The 2025 season brings the premieres of BRING IT ON, COME FROM AWAY, DISNEY’S FROZEN, and DEAR EVAN HANSEN to The Muny stage in Forest Park. EVITA, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, AND JERSEY BOYS round out the seven show season. This season promises to be as exceptional as last year’s magical season. 
Ben Platt and More To Honor Mandy Patinkin At Signature Theatre Gala Photo
Ben Platt and More To Honor Mandy Patinkin At Signature Theatre Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 5, 2025

On April 14, 2025, Virginia's Tony Award-winning Signature Theatre will honor star of stage and screen Mandy Patinkin with the company's fourteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. The Stephen Sondheim Award will be presented at a black-tie Gala Benefit at The Anthem and will benefit Signature Theatre's artistic, education, and community programs.
Frank Hartenstein, Broadway Stage Manager, Passes Away at 85 Photo
Frank Hartenstein, Broadway Stage Manager, Passes Away at 85
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 4, 2025

Frank Hartenstein, a stage manager whose body of work included collaborating with some of Broadway's most celebrated luminaries over the last 50 years, died on Friday, February 21. Learn more about Hartenstein's life and career.
LES MISERABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR Adds Performances in Sydney and Melbourne Photo
LES MISERABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR Adds Performances in Sydney and Melbourne
by Stephi Wild - Mar 3, 2025

Due to demand, extra performances have been added in Australia for LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA SPECTACULAR! The World Tour arrives at the ICC Sydney Theatre on 30 April 2025.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 28, 2025 Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 28, 2025
by - Feb 28, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 28, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: THE BRYCE EDWARDS FRIVOLITY HOUR Hits the Birdland Stage Photo
Photos: THE BRYCE EDWARDS FRIVOLITY HOUR Hits the Birdland Stage
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 27, 2025

On Monday, February 24, nouveau vaudevillian Bryce Edwards stormed the Birdland stage with another edition of his Frivolity Hour! Check out photos from the show!
Up on the Marquee: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Photo
Up on the Marquee: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS
by Jennifer Broski - Feb 26, 2025

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, is coming to Broadway! Check out photos of the new broadway marquee here.
Broadway Theatre Project to Welcome Michael Orland And Kevin Chamberlin As Guest Facu Photo
Broadway Theatre Project to Welcome Michael Orland And Kevin Chamberlin As Guest Faculty
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 25, 2025

The Broadway Theatre Project has revealed that Michael Orland and Kevin Chamberlin will be joining their guest faculty for the upcoming summer musical theater project. Learn more!
Review: OLD FRIENDS at Ahmanson Theatre Photo
Review: OLD FRIENDS at Ahmanson Theatre
by Evan Henerson - Feb 20, 2025

To watch these singers perform these numbers is to dream about entire revivals of Sondheim shows built around some of these actors, maybe even productions that have their genesis at the Ahmanson.
FOOTLOOSE Will Be Performed as Part of Vanguard University's Department Of Theatre Ar Photo
FOOTLOOSE Will Be Performed as Part of Vanguard University's Department Of Theatre Arts
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

New York-based distribution company Cinema Guild has announced the North American theatrical release of You Burn Me (Tú me abrasas), the latest work from Matías Piñeiro.Vanguard University’s Theatre Arts Department will present Footloose written by Dean Pitchford, adapted by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie, and music by Tom Snow.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Bernadette Peters been in?

Bernadette Peters has appeared on Broadway in 22 shows.

How many West End shows has Bernadette Peters been in?

Bernadette Peters has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What awards has Bernadette Peters been nominated for?

Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater (Drama League Awards), Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Follies, Isabelle Stevenson Award (Tony Awards), Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Annie Get Your Gun, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Annie Get Your Gun , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Annie Get Your Gun, Best Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Goodbye Girl, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Goodbye Girl, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Into the Woods, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Song and Dance, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Song and Dance, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sally and Marsha, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Mack & Mabel, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Mack and Mabel, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for On The Town, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Dames at Sea and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for George M!.

What awards has Bernadette Peters won?

Bernadette Peters has won several prestigious awards, including the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theater (Drama League Awards) and the Isabelle Stevenson Award (Tony Awards). She has received the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award from the Drama Desk Awards for her performances in Gypsy and Annie Get Your Gun. Additionally, she won the Outstanding Actress in a Musical award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Annie Get Your Gun. Peters won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for Annie Get Your Gun and for Song and Dance. She has also been honored with the Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League Awards for Song and Dance, and the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for On The Town. Other notable achievements include the Outstanding Performance award from the Drama Desk Awards for Dames at Sea and the Theatre World Award for George M!.

What was Bernadette Peters's first West End show?

Bernadette Peters's first West End show was Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends which opened in 2023

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