News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Rosemary Harris Headshot

Rosemary Harris

Birth Place: Ashby, Suffolk, ENGLAND

Get Rosemary Harris Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Rosemary Ann Harris (born 19 September 1927) is an English actress. She is the recipient of an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and three Laurence Olivier Awards. Harris was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1986, and she won the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre in 2017.



Harris began her stage career in 1948, before making her Broadway debut in 1952. For her New York stage work, she is a four-time Drama Desk Award winner and nine-time Tony Award nominee, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play in for portraying Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter (1966). Her other Tony-nominated roles were in Old Times (1972), The Royal Family (1976), Heartbreak House (1984), Pack of Lies (1985), Hay Fever (1986), A Delicate Balance (1996), Waiting in the Wings (2000), and The Royal Family (2010).

She won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her portrayal of George Sand in the BBC serial Notorious Woman (1976), and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for playing Berta Palitz Weiss in the miniseries Holocaust (1978). For her performance in the historical drama film Tom & Viv (1994) she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Harris is also known for her portrayal of May Parker, the paternal aunt of Peter Parker in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002), Spider-Man 2 (2004), and Spider-Man 3 (2007).

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2018
Mrs. Higgins [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company, 2014
Eleanor

[Broadway]
Roundabout Production, 2012
Miss Helen

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Revival, 2009
Fanny Cavendish

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Levana Julak

[Off-Broadway]
2002
The Wife

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1999
May Davenport

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1996
Agnes

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1994
Sybil Birling

[Broadway]
1991
Grandma Kurnitz [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1985
Judith Bliss

[Broadway]
1985
Barbara Jackson

[Broadway]
1983
Hesione Hushabye

[Off-Broadway]
1980
Arkadina

[Broadway]
1975
Julie Cavendish

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1973
Blanche Du Bois

[Broadway]
1973
Portia

[Broadway]
1971
Anna

[Broadway]
1967
Natasha

[Broadway]
1967
Alice Sycamore

[Broadway]
1967
Gina (Alternate)

[Broadway]
1966
Young Woman (Alternate)

[Broadway]
1966
Signora Ponza (Alternate)

[Broadway]
1966
Lady Teazle

Epilogue

[Broadway]
1966
Eleanor

[Broadway]
1965
Alice Sycamore

[Off-Broadway]
1965
Judith

[Off-Broadway]
1965
Natasha

[Off-Broadway]
1964
Violet

Dona Ana

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Virginia

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Nina

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Lady Teazle

[Broadway]
1960
Lennie

[Broadway]
1958
Jere Halliday

[Broadway]
1958
Hilde

[Broadway]
1956
Cressida

[Broadway]
1952
Mabel


Movies

Beau Brummell
[ 1954 ] Mrs. Fitzherbert
The Shiralee
[ 1957 ] Lily Parker
Uncle Vanya
[ 1963 ] Yelena
A Flea in Her Ear
[ 1968 ] Gabrielle Chandebisse
The Boys from Brazil
[ 1978 ] Mrs. Doring
The Ploughman's Lunch
[ 1983 ] Ann Barrington
Crossing Delancey
[ 1988 ] Pauline Swift
The Delinquents
[ 1989 ] Isobel
The Bridge
[ 1991 ] Aunt Jude
Tom & Viv
[ 1994 ] Rose Haigh-Wood
Hamlet
[ 1996 ] Player Queen
My Life So Far
[ 1999 ] Gamma
Sunshine
[ 1999 ] Valerie Sors
The Gift
[ 2000 ] Annie's Granny
Blow Dry
[ 2001 ] Daisy
Spider-Man
[ 2002 ] May Parker
Being Julia
[ 2004 ] Julia's Mother
Spider-Man 2
[ 2004 ] May Parker
Spider-Man 3
[ 2007 ] May Parker
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
[ 2007 ] Nanette
Is Anybody There?
[ 2008 ] Elsie
Radio Free Albemuth
[ 2010 ] VALIS
This Means War
[ 2012 ] Nana Foster
The von Trapp Family: A Life of Music
[ 2015 ] Older Agathe von Trapp

Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2019 - Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Rosemary Harris

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Rosemary Harris, The Royal Family

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Rosemary Harris, The Royal Family


winner
Obie Awards - 2003 - Performance

Rosemary Harris, All Over

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Rosemary Harris, Waiting in the Wings

Tony Awards - 2000 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rosemary Harris, Waiting in the Wings

Drama Desk Awards - 1996 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Rosemary Harris, A Delicate Balance

Tony Awards - 1996 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rosemary Harris , A Delicate Balance

Olivier Awards - 1993 - Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Rosemary HarrisLost In Yonkers

Helen Hayes Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Rosemary HarrisHay Fever

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

Rosemary Harris, Hay Fever


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Rosemary Harris, Pack of Lies


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1985 - Best Actress

Rosemary Harris, Pack of Lies

Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rosemary Harris, Pack of Lies

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Rosemary Harris, Heartbreak House

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

Rosemary Harris, Heartbreak House

Olivier Awards - 1983 - Actress of the Year in a Revival

Rosemary HarrisHeartbreak House

Olivier Awards - 1981 - Actress of the Year in a Revival

Rosemary HarrisAll My Sons


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Actress - Play

Rosemary Harris, The Royal Family

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rosemary Harris , The Royal Family


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Performance

Rosemary Harris, The Merchant of Venice


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Performance

Rosemary Harris, A Streetcar Named Desire


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1972 - Outstanding Performance

Rosemary Harris, Old Times


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1972 - Best Actress

Rosemary Harris, Old Times


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rosemary Harris, Old Times


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1969 - Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress

Rosemary HarrisPlaza Suite


winner
Drama League Awards - 1967 - Distinguished Performance Award

Rosemary Harris


winner
Tony Awards - 1966 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Rosemary Harris, The Lion in Winter


winner
Obie Awards - 1965 - Performance

Rosemary HarrisAPA Repertory


winner
Obie Awards - 1962 - Performance

Rosemary HarrisAPA Repertory


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1953 - Performance

Rosemary Harris, The Climate of Eden

Videos

News


Review: Theater UnCorked's THE LION IN WINTER Roars with Royal Intrigue

Theater UnCorked has opened its sixth season with a sharp, searing production of “The Lion in Winter” that lays out a powerful story of a royal family struggling both with succession planning and with each other. It may be an unconventional offering given this season’s predictable plethora of holiday productions, but the drama – which inspired the Fox-TV series “Empire” – is definitely a gift for discerning theatergoers.
79th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony Set for June 2025

The 79th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday evening, June 2, 2025 beginning at 7:00PM. The awards are the oldest awards given for Outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway Debut Performances.
The York Theatre Company To Celebrate Noël Coward At I LIKE AMERICA Concert

The York Theatre Company and The Noël Foundation has announced a one-night-only concert, 'I LIKE AMERICA,' celebrating 125 years of Noël Coward on Sunday, October 6.
Every Broadway Person in ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING

Just in time for the fourth season, we compiled a list of the Broadway stars that appear across the first three seasons- and announced cast for the fourth- and how you might know them on the stage.
Cast Members From THE WIZ, STEREOPHONIC, and More Honored With 2024 Theatre World Awards

The 2024 Honorees have been announced for the Theatre World Award for an Outstanding Debut Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production. Learn more about the honorees here!
Len Cariou & Peter Filichia To Be Honored at 78th Annual Theatre World Awards

The Theatre World Awards Board of Directors has announced two of the individuals to be honored at 78th Annual Theatre World Awards to be held on Monday evening, June 10, 2024 beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Date Set for The 78th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony

The 78th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday evening, June 10, 2024 beginning at 7:00PM. Hosted annually by well-known theater journalist, Peter Filichia, the historic 78th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony will be produced by Theatre World Awards, Inc. Board of Directors / Dale Badway.
New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL Beginning Next Month

Four women writers of the Harlem Renaissance meet in 'Telling Tales Out of School' by Wesley Brown, directed by Woodie King, Jr. at Castillo Theatre/ASP. The play offers a unique perspective on the Harlem Renaissance by providing a character study of four of its most-noted female prime movers. Check out event information here!
Brian Stokes Mitchell Will Receive the John Willis Award For Lifetime Achievement In The Theatre At 2023 Theatre World Awards

The Theatre World Awards Board of Directors announced that Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell is the recipient of the 10th Annual John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, which will be presented to him at this year's Theatre World Award ceremony.
Julie Benko, Jodie Comer & More Will Receive 2023 Theatre World Awards

The Theatre World Awards Board of Directors has announced the 2023 Honorees for the Theatre World Award for an Outstanding Debut Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway Production. See the full list!
New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL in May

New Federal Theatre will present 'Telling Tales Out of School,' a new play by Wesley Brown, from May 2 to 7 as a work in progress at Castillo Theatre/ASP.
AMT Theater To Present LIES By Jerry Slaff To Kick Off New Play Reading Series

AMT Theater, New York's newest Off Broadway house, announces the first in a series of New Play Readings.
New Biography ROBERT PRESTON - FOREVER THE MUSIC MAN Out Now

Robert Preston - Forever The Music Man chronicles the life and career of the enigmatic Hollywood and Broadway actor, and original Music Man star, Robert Preston.
77th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony Set for June 2023

The 77th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday evening, June 5, 2023 beginning at 7:00PM. The Theatre World Awards are the oldest awards given for Outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway Debut Performances.
Chain Theatre Announces WHAT PASSES FOR COMEDY As Next Production, Beginning October 28

The critically-acclaimed Chain Theatre has announced the world premiere production of G.D. Kimble's WHAT PASSES FOR COMEDY, directed by Chain Managing Director Rick Hamilton.
WHAT PASSES FOR COMEDY Comes to Chain Theatre Next Month

The critically-acclaimed Chain Theatre has announced the world premiere production of G.D. Kimble’s WHAT PASSES FOR COMEDY, directed by Chain Managing Director Rick Hamilton. WHAT PASSES FOR COMEDY will play a limited engagement at Chain Theatre.
HAIR Co-Creator James Rado Dies at 90

James Rado, the Tony and Grammy Award-winning sole surviving co-creator of the ground-breaking Broadway musical HAIR - The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, died peacefully Tuesday evening, June 21, 2022 in New York City surrounded by his loving family. 
Photos: On the Red Carpet for the 2022 Theatre World Awards

The Theatre World Awards celebrated the 2022 Theatre World Award Honorees, a special 'Outstanding Ensemble' Award to 21 cast members making their Broadway debut in the Broadway Revival of The Music Man, the 13th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater Honoree Michael Oberholtzer, and the 9th Annual John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre Honoree Harvey Fierstein at the historic 76th Annual Theatre World Awards Ceremony that returned to a live in-person presentation on the set of the Jeffrey Richards production of the critically acclaimed Broadway Revival of American Buffalo.
Photos: Go Backstage with the 2022 Theatre World Awards Winners

On Monday night, the Theatre World Awards celebrated the 2022 Theatre World Award Honorees, a special 'Outstanding Ensemble' Award to 21 cast members making their Broadway debut in the Broadway Revival of The Music Man, the 13th Annual Dorothy Loudon Award for Excellence in the Theater Honoree Michael Oberholtzer, and the 9th Annual John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre Honoree Harvey Fierstein.
The Wilma Theater to Honor Co-Founding Artistic Director Blanka Zizka at FÊTE 2022

The Wilma Theater announced today that Fête 2022 will honor retiring Co-Founding Artistic Director Blanka Zizka, who recently departed the company after 40 years in the position. Fête 2022 will be held on Monday June 13, 2022.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Rosemary Harris been in?

Rosemary Harris has appeared on Broadway in 27 shows.

How many West End shows has Rosemary Harris been in?

Rosemary Harris has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Rosemary Harris been nominated for?

Special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards), Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Royal Family , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Royal Family, Performance (Obie Awards) for All Over, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Waiting in the Wings, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Waiting in the Wings, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Delicate Balance, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Delicate Balance, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Olivier Awards) for Lost In Yonkers, Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Hay Fever, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Hay Fever, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Pack of Lies, Best Actress (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Pack of Lies, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Pack of Lies, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Heartbreak House, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Heartbreak House, Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for Heartbreak House, Actress of the Year in a Revival (Olivier Awards) for All My Sons, Outstanding Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Royal Family, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Royal Family, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Merchant of Venice, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for A Streetcar Named Desire, Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for Old Times, Best Actress (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Old Times, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Old Times, Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress (Evening Standard Awards) for Plaza Suite, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Lion in Winter, Performance (Obie Awards) for APA Repertory, Performance (Obie Awards) for APA Repertory and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for The Climate of Eden.

What awards has Rosemary Harris won?

Rosemary Harris has won several prestigious awards throughout her career, including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. She received an Obie Award for Performance in All Over and earned the Outstanding Actress in a Play Award from the Drama Desk for Pack of Lies. Harris also won the Best Actress Award from the Outer Critics Circle for Pack of Lies. Her other notable Drama Desk Awards include Outstanding Actress for The Royal Family, Outstanding Performance for A Streetcar Named Desire, Outstanding Performance for The Merchant of Venice, and Outstanding Performance for Old Times. Additionally, she won the Best Actress Award from the Outer Critics Circle for Old Times and the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for the same production. Harris received the Natasha Richardson Award for Best Actress at the Evening Standard Awards for her role in Plaza Suite and was honored with the Distinguished Performance Award from the Drama League. She also received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play for The Lion in Winter and earned multiple Obie Awards for Performance in APA Repertory, as well as a Theatre World Award for Performance in The Climate of Eden.

Get Rosemary Harris Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos