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Elizabeth Franz

Birth Place: Akron, OH, USA

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BIO

Elizabeth Franz is an American actress known for her work in theater, film, and television. Born in Akron, Ohio in 1941, Franz began her career in the 1970s, performing in various off-Broadway productions before making her Broadway debut in 1978 in the play "Da" by Hugh Leonard.



Franz's breakthrough role came in 1983 when she originated the role of Linda Loman in the Broadway production of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman." Her performance earned her critical acclaim and a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She later reprised the role in a 1999 revival of the play, earning another Tony nomination for her performance.

In addition to her work on stage, Franz has also appeared in numerous films and television shows. She made her film debut in 1986 in "The House of Blue Leaves" and went on to appear in other films such as "Sabrina" (1995) and "The Savages" (2007). On television, Franz has had recurring roles on shows such as "Law & Order" and "The Good Wife."

Despite her success in film and television, Franz has remained dedicated to the theater and has continued to appear in productions both on and off Broadway. She has appeared in numerous productions at the Roundabout Theatre Company, including "The Cherry Orchard" (1996) and "Morning's at Seven" (2002). In 2010, she starred in the Broadway production of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" by Neil Simon.

Franz's most recent work was in the 2014 off-Broadway production of "The Jacksonian" by Beth Henley. In the play, Franz played the role of Eva White, a woman who becomes entangled in the lives of the other characters. Franz's performance was praised by critics, with The New York Times calling it "mesmerizing" and "haunting."

Throughout her career, Franz has been recognized for her contributions to the theater. In addition to her Tony Award and nominations, she has also received a Drama Desk Award and an Obie Award for her performances. She was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2007.

Offstage, Franz has been involved in various charitable organizations, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Actors Fund. She has also been a mentor to young actors, teaching classes and workshops at various theater schools and programs.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Franz is a highly respected actress with a distinguished career in theater, film, and television. Her performances have earned her critical acclaim and numerous awards, and she has remained dedicated to the theater throughout her career. Her most recent work in "The Jacksonian" was a testament to her talent and versatility as an actress.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Classic Stage Company Production, 2015
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2010
Aunt Ev

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Mrs. K

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Ellie

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2002
Aaronetta Gibbs

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1999
Linda

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Kate

[Off-Broadway]
1997
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1995
Maria Vasilyevna Voinitskaya

[Off-Broadway]
1992
Abbess

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 1992
Performer

[Broadway]
1991
Mrs. Bridgenorth

[Broadway]
1990
Ida

[Broadway]
1986
Kate [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Yelena

[Broadway]
1985
Nora

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1983
Kate Jerome

[Off-Broadway]
1981
Sister Mary Ignatius/ Sarah Siddons

[Off-Broadway]
1981
Sister Mary Ignatius/ Sarah Siddons

[Off-Broadway]
1979
Sister Mary Ignatius

[Broadway]
1977
Sharlotta Ivanovna

[Broadway]
1977
Sharlotta Ivanovna (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
1975
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1967
Courtier, Ambassador, Soldier, Attendant

[Off-Broadway]
1967
Ruth Ann Chenier

[Off-Broadway]
1965
Performer


Movies

The Secret of My Success
[ 1987 ] Grace Foster
Jacknife
[ 1989 ] Pru Buckman
School Ties
[ 1992 ] Jane Dillon
Sabrina
[ 1995 ] Joanna
The Pallbearer
[ 1996 ] Aunt Lucille
Thinner
[ 1996 ] Leda Rossington
The Substance of Fire
[ 1996 ] Miss Barzakian
Twisted
[ 1996 ] Mrs. Bundress - A Social Worker
A Fish in the Bathtub
[ 1998 ] Bea Greenberg
Story of a Bad Boy
[ 1999 ] Nice Nun
Christmas with the Kranks
[ 2004 ] Bev Scheel
Take Me to the River
[ 2015 ] Evelyn

TV Shows

Another World
Alma Rudder
Judging Amy
Vivian Galloway
Sisters
Gladys Lear

Awards and Nominations


winner
The Lortels - 2008 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Elizabeth Franz, The Piano Teacher

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Elizabeth FranzMorning's at Seven

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

Elizabeth Franz, Morning's at Seven


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Elizabeth Franz, Death of a Salesman

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Elizabeth Franz, Death of a Salesman


winner
Tony Awards - 1999 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Elizabeth Franz, Death of a Salesman

Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Elizabeth Franz, Brighton Beach Memoirs

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Elizabeth Franz, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You


winner
Obie Awards - 1980 - Performance

Elizabeth Franz, Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You

News


SISTER MARY IGNATIUS EXPLAINS IT ALL FOR YOU Comes to the Hollywood Fringe Festival

Mmmkay Productions has announced a Hollywood Fringe Festival production of Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, written by Christopher Durang and directed by Jeramiah Peay. The cast will feature (in alphabetical order) Shayna Gabrielle, Lea Madda, Michael Mullen, Will Potter, Chris Ramirez, and Liam Risinger.
BWW Review: BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS at Orange Park Community Theatre

Brighton Beach Memoirs began its run at Orange Park Community Theatre on April 1st. Make no mistake, this is no April Fools prank, the cast and crew have put on a lovely performance for Orange Park and the surrounding areas.
Alley Mills Joins the Ensemble of MORNING'S AT SEVEN

Television and stage veteran Alley Mills (“The Wonder Years”; Williamstown Theatre Festival, four seasons) will assume the role of Arry in the new production of Paul Osborn’s Morning’s At Seven, currently playing through January 9 at Theatre at St. Clement’s (423 W. 46th Street, NYC). 
Photos: Lindsay Crouse, Alma Cuervo, Judith Ivey & More Star in MORNING'S AT SEVEN Opening at Theatre at St. Clements

Morning’s At Seven, Paul Osborn’s treasured comedy classic, returns to New York this fall for the first time in 20 years featuring an all-star cast including Academy Award nominee and Obie Award winner Lindsay Crouse (The Homecoming), Obie Award winner Alma Cuervo (On Your Feet!, Uncommon Women and Others), and more!
Lindsay Crouse, Judith Ivey, Dan Lauria and More Star in MORNING'S AT SEVEN Beginning Performances October 20

Morning's At Seven, Paul Osborn's treasured comedy classic, returns to New York this fall for the first time in 20 years featuring an all-star cast.
Outdoor and Online Programming Expands Goodman Audiences by 150,000+

Over the past year, more than 150,000 people consumed Goodman's 12 online streaming productions, beginning with Jocelyn Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play directed by Lili-Anne Brown.
Goodman Theatre Streams Famed DEATH OF A SALESMAN In Collaboration With Showtime And The Actors Fund

In an unprecedented collaboration with Showtime and The Actors Fund, Goodman Theatre is proud to present the stream of the Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Arthur Miller's Death of A Salesman, starring two-time Tony Award winner Brian Dennehy and directed by Goodman Theatre Artistic Director and Tony Award winner Robert Falls.
PLAY OF THE DAY! Today's Play: BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS by Neil Simon

During this time when productions all over the world have been put on pause, we are coming together to celebrate plays that have left their mark on theater history. This week we will be focusing on the plays of Neil Simon. Today's play, Brighton Beach Memoirs!
Photo Flash: Inside the Stage Managers' Association Del Hughes Awards

The Stage Managers' Association (SMA) presented its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management to three stage managers from the worlds of Broadway, Off-Broadway, Touring, Regional Theatre, and Opera - Rich Costabile, Barbara Donner, and Mary K Klinger. In addition to the three Lifetime Achievement Awards, the SMA recognized Janet Friedman with The Founders Award, a special recognition for her many years of service to the SMA and for embodying the values expressed by the Founders of the SMA. The event was celebrated at Connelly's Times Square on September 23rd, 2019. The SMA thanks Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids for their leading sponsorship of the event.
Tickets Available For Stage Managers' Association Del Hughes Awards 2019; Plus Speakers Announced

On Monday, September 23, 2019, the Stage Managers' Association (SMA) will present its annual Del Hughes Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Art of Stage Management to three stage managers from the worlds of Broadway, Off-Broadway, Touring, Regional Theatre, and Opera - Rich Costabile, Barbara Donner, and Mary K Klinger. In addition to the three Lifetime Achievement Awards, the SMA will recognize Janet Friedman with The Founders Award, a special recognition for her many years of service to the SMA and for embodying the values expressed by the Founders of the SMA.
Industry Reading Set for New Play FOR BETTER FOR WORSE Starring Andrew Chappelle & Alison Luff

Producers Hunt Lowry announced today that an industry reading of Arnold's play For Better For Worse will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at District Social (252 W 37th St.). 
Judith Light and Tony Kushner to Be Honored with DGF's Evans-Kingsley Awards

Actress Judith Light and playwright Tony Kushner are set to receive DGF Madge Evans & Sidney Kingsley Awards. Former DGF Fellow, Oliver Houser, also announced as recipient of the DGF Stephen Schwartz Award.
Podcast: 'Keith Price's Curtain Call' Welcomes Director and Author Isaac Klein

Director Isaac Klein stops by the studio to talk about his new book, SCHOOL OF DOING, featuring the lessons of Master Teacher, Director, and personal mentor, Gerald Freedman.
Weston Playhouse Wraps Historic 2017 Season

On September 23, 2017, Weston Playhouse at Walker Farm celebrated its Grand Opening. Located on a 5-acre farmstead north of the Weston Playhouse on Route 100/Main Street, the new facility complements the theatre company's summer use of the historic flagship Weston Playhouse on the Weston Village Green. Over 650 enthusiastic well-wishers made their way to Weston for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and an afternoon of performances, outdoor music, and self-guided tours.
Dana Smith-Croll, George E. Salazar and Marilyn Sokol to Star in RAGING SKILLET at TheaterWorks

TheaterWorks announced final casting today for RAGING SKILLET by Jacques Lamarre the 5th show of TheaterWorks 31st Season.
Weston Playhouse Theatre Company Leaders to Pass the Torch After 2018 Season

Weston Playhouse Theatre Company Founding Directors Malcolm Ewen, Tim Fort, and Steve Stettler, celebrating their thirtieth season at the helm of Vermont's oldest professional theatre, have announced that the company's 2018 season will be their last. 
Weston Playhouse Theatre Company presents LOST IN YONKERS

The Weston Playhouse continues its season of award winners with the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning comedy, Lost in Yonkers. This Neil Simon classic is made even more memorable with the Weston stage debut of Tony winner Elizabeth Franz in the central role of Grandma Kurnitz.
Greensboro Arts Alliance Announces 2017 Mainstage Summer Season

The Greensboro Arts Alliance and Residency (GAAR), under the Artistic Direction of Sabra Jones, is proud to announce its 1st Annual Opera Festival as part of the 2017 Summer Season in Vermont. Heidi Lauren Duke choreographs & directs Mezzo-Soprano Martha Prewitt in Lee Hoiby's comedy Bon Appetit!, written about the legendary chef Julia Child, from June 30 - July 5, 2017, at the Town House (20 Church St.)  in Hardwick, Vermont.  The return of opera performance marks a full circle moment for Hardwick's historic Town Hall which was, in fact, built as an opera house in 1898.
BWW Review: THE ROYAL FAMILY at Guthrie Theater

Of the three shows currently running at the Guthrie, THE ROYAL FAMILY is definitely the lightweight, longer on comedy and razzle-dazzle production values than on importance. (The other two shows are KING LEAR and PROMISE LAND, a barebones physical theater take on the Hansel and Gretel tale retold as an immigrant story.) Loosely based on the Barrymore acting clan, THE ROYAL FAMILY follows three generations of a prominent and wealthy family of performers, with particular attention to the female line.
Perpetual Students: A Historic Look at Chekov's THE CHERRY ORCHARD on Broadway

The Cherry Orchard is Anton Chekhov's masterpiece about a family on the edge of ruin-and a country on the brink of revolution. The story of Lyubov Ranevskaya and her family's return to their fabled orchard to forestall its foreclosure captures a people-and a world-in transition, and presents us with a picture of humanity in all its glorious folly. By turns tragic and funny, The Cherry Orchard still stands as one of the great plays of the modern era.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Elizabeth Franz been in?

Elizabeth Franz has appeared on Broadway in 12 shows.

How many West End shows has Elizabeth Franz been in?

Elizabeth Franz has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Elizabeth Franz been nominated for?

Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for The Piano Teacher, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Morning's at Seven , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Morning's at Seven, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Death of a Salesman, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Death of a Salesman , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Death of a Salesman, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Brighton Beach Memoirs, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You and Performance (Obie Awards) for Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.

What awards has Elizabeth Franz won?

Elizabeth Franz has won the following awards: Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for The Piano Teacher; Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Death of a Salesman; Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Death of a Salesman; and Performance (Obie Awards) for Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You.

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