Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Bernadette Peters
Discover the career path of Bernadette Peters, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Bernadette Peters is a celebrated American actress and singer with a career spanning over six decades. She is primarily known for her work in musical theatre, television, and film, along with solo concerts and recordings. A critically acclaimed Broadway performer, she has garnered numerous accolades, including two Tony Awards (out of seven nominations) and three Drama Desk Awards (out of nine nominations). Furthermore, four of her Broadway cast albums have won Grammy Awards, solidifying her status as a significant figure in entertainment.
1966: Stephen Sondheim's "Evening Primrose"
Stephen Sondheim's television play Evening Primrose, was written in 1966. In 1990, Peters and Patinkin recorded the songs from the play for Patinkin's album.
1980: Release of Debut Album "Bernadette Peters"
In 1980, Bernadette Peters released her debut album, "Bernadette Peters", featuring 10 songs and cover art by Alberto Vargas.
1980: Single "Gee Whiz" Release
In 1980, Bernadette Peters' single "Gee Whiz", a remake of Carla Thomas's song, reached the top forty on the U.S. Billboard pop singles charts.
1980: Original Release of Bernadette Peters Album
The album "Bernadette Peters" originally released in 1980, was re-released on CD in 1992 as "Bernadette".
December 1981: Playboy Magazine Appearance
In December 1981, Bernadette Peters appeared on the cover and in a non-nude spread in Playboy Magazine, posing in lingerie designed by Bob Mackie.
1981: Release of album "Now Playing"
In 1981, Bernadette Peters released her second solo album, "Now Playing", featuring songs by various composers.
1986: Broadway Cast Recording of Song and Dance
In 1986, the Broadway cast recording of Song and Dance (titled Bernadette Peters in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Song & Dance') was released.
1990: Recorded Sondheim Songs with Mandy Patinkin
In 1990, Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin recorded songs from Stephen Sondheim's 1966 television play, Evening Primrose, on Patinkin's album "Dress Casual".
1992: Re-release of "Bernadette Peters" album
In 1992, the "Bernadette Peters" album, originally released in 1980, was re-released on CD as "Bernadette" with some songs from "Now Playing" included.
1995: Benefit Concert Anyone Can Whistle
In 1995, the benefit concert Anyone Can Whistle, featuring Bernadette Peters, was held to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
1996: Carnegie Hall concert
Bernadette Peters's 1996 concert at Carnegie Hall was partially released later on the album "Sondheim Etc., Etc. Live At Carnegie Hall: The Rest of It" in 2005.
1996: Solo Concert Debut at Carnegie Hall
In 1996, Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City, focusing on the work of Stephen Sondheim in the second half.
1996: Grammy Nomination for album "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight"
In 1996, Bernadette Peters was nominated for a Grammy Award for her album, "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight".
1998: Featured on John Whelan's album
In 1998, Bernadette Peters was featured on John Whelan's album "Flirting with the Edge", singing "Dublin Lady".
1999: Co-founding of Broadway Barks
In 1999, Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore co-founded Broadway Barks, an annual animal adopt-a-thon held each July in New York City, hosted by Peters.
1999: London Concert Recording
In 1999, Bernadette Peters performed a solo concert in London, which was recorded, released on VHS, and aired on U.S. Public Television stations.
June 2002: Radio City Music Hall Concert Debut
In June 2002, Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at Radio City Music Hall, based on her album "Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein".
2002: Radio City Music Hall Concert Review
In 2002, Stephen Holden of The New York Times reviewed Bernadette Peters' Radio City Music Hall concert, describing her as "the peaches-and-cream embodiment of an ageless storybook princess... inside a giant soap bubble floating toward heaven," and expressing belief in the dreams behind Rodgers and Hammerstein's songs.
2003: Recording Sessions for Gypsy
In 2003, Andrew Gans wrote about Peters' recording sessions for Gypsy, praising her vocal abilities and emotional conveyance.
March 2005: Pilot for "Adopted"
In March 2005, Bernadette Peters filmed a pilot for an ABC sitcom called "Adopted", co-starring Christine Baranski, but the show was not picked up for a series.
2005: Release of Album
In 2005, Bernadette Peters released the album "Sondheim Etc., Etc. Live At Carnegie Hall: The Rest of It", consisting of songs from her 1996 Carnegie Hall concert.
2005: Singing on Children's Book CD
In 2005, Bernadette Peters sang four songs on the CD accompanying the children's picture book Dewey Doo-it Helps Owlie Fly Again. The proceeds of the CD benefited the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Mandy Patinkin also sang on the CD.
May 2006: Guest Appearance on "Will & Grace"
In May 2006, Bernadette Peters appeared as Karen Walker's sister on the NBC series "Will & Grace", in the episode titled "Whatever Happened to Baby Gin?".
May 2006: Appearance in "Come le formiche (Wine and Kisses)"
In May 2006, Bernadette Peters appeared in the film "Come le formiche (Wine and Kisses)" with F. Murray Abraham, filmed in Italy, playing a rich American.
November 2006: Guest Appearance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
In November 2006, Bernadette Peters appeared as a defense attorney on the NBC series "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".
2006: Solo Concert Debut at Lincoln Center
In 2006, Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at Lincoln Center in New York City. Stephen Holden reviewed this concert, noting her radiant innocence and ability to evoke a surrogate childhood playmate.
2006: Performance at Adrienne Arsht Center's Grand Opening
In 2006, Bernadette Peters was among the performers celebrating the grand opening of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami.
May 2007: Guest Appearance on "Boston Legal"
In May 2007, Bernadette Peters appeared as a judge on the ABC series "Boston Legal".
2007: "Broadway's Back" Concert
In 2007, Bernadette Peters helped the Broadway community celebrate the end of the stagehand strike in a "Broadway's Back" concert at the Marquis Theatre.
2007: Participation in charity reading of "Love Letters"
In 2007, Bernadette Peters participated in a charity reading of the play "Love Letters" with actor John Dossett.
June 8, 2008: Broadway Barks Book Reached Bestseller List
On June 8, 2008, Bernadette Peters' children's book Broadway Barks, published by Blue Apple Books, reached #5 on The New York Times Children's Best Sellers: Picture Books list.
September 2008: Guest Appearance on "Grey's Anatomy"
In September 2008, Bernadette Peters appeared as an accident victim in "Grey's Anatomy".
October 18, 2008: Appearance in "Living Proof"
On October 18, 2008, Bernadette Peters appeared in the Lifetime television film "Living Proof", playing Barbara, a breast cancer patient.
2008: Fund-raiser and Humanitarian Award Presentation
In 2008, Bernadette Peters participated in a fund-raiser for the Westport Country Playhouse. She also took part in the opening ceremony and dedication of the renovated TKTS discount ticket booth in Times Square, and presented New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the Humanitarian Award at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation awards.
May 2009: Appearance in "Ugly Betty"
In May 2009, Bernadette Peters appeared in the ABC series "Ugly Betty" as Jodie Papadakis.
June 2009: Adelaide Cabaret Festival Performance
In June 2009, Bernadette Peters' appearance at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival was filmed and broadcast in Australia.
November 9, 2009: A Special Concert for Broadway Barks
On November 9, 2009, Bernadette Peters held a concert, "A Special Concert for Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares", at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. The concert benefited both Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, raising an estimated $615,000 for the two charities.
2009: Adelaide Cabaret Festival Headliner
In 2009, Bernadette Peters headlined the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Adelaide, Australia. The Sunday Mail noted her youthful verve, vigor, and voice.
2009: Benefit Performance on Seabourn Odyssey and Thousand Oaks Gala
In 2009, Bernadette Peters performed on an overnight cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey for the Adrienne Arsht Center benefit in Miami. On November 21, 2009, she headlined The Alliance of The Arts Black Tie Anniversary Gala at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, California, after having helped celebrate the opening of the Arts Plaza fifteen years prior.
February 8, 2010: Honoring Angela Lansbury at Drama League Benefit
On February 8, 2010, Bernadette Peters honored Angela Lansbury at the annual Drama League of New York benefit by singing "Not While I'm Around".
March 2010: Sondheim 80 Benefit
In March 2010, Bernadette Peters helped Stephen Sondheim celebrate his 80th birthday in the Roundabout Theatre Company "Sondheim 80" benefit, serving as one of the Honorary Chairs. She had previously participated in the Roundabout Theatre's Sondheim gala for his 75th birthday.
April 24, 2010: Book Introduction and Signing
On April 24, 2010, Bernadette Peters introduced her book, Stella is a Star, at a reading and signing during the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in Los Angeles, California, where she also sang part of the accompanying song.
2010: Starring in "A Little Night Music" Broadway Revival
In 2010, Bernadette Peters starred in the Broadway revival of Sondheim's "A Little Night Music", taking over the role of Desirée Armfeldt from Catherine Zeta-Jones.
2011: Role in "Follies" at the Kennedy Center
In 2011, Bernadette Peters played Sally Durant Plummer in the Kennedy Center production of Sondheim's "Follies". She reprised the role in the Broadway revival later that year.
2011: Performance on Follies recording
In 2011, Steven Suskin reviewed Peters' performance on the recording of Follies, praising her portrayal of Sally.
March 2012: Appearance in "Smash"
In March 2012, Bernadette Peters first appeared in the NBC series "Smash" as Leigh Conroy, Ivy's mother, singing "Everything's Coming Up Roses".
May 2012: Appearance in "Smash" Season Finale
In May 2012, Bernadette Peters appeared in the season 1 finale of "Smash", titled "Bombshell", celebrating Ivy's role as Marilyn.
2012: Isabelle Stevenson Award
At the 66th Tony Awards in 2012, Bernadette Peters was presented with the honorary Isabelle Stevenson Award for her volunteer work with Broadway Barks and other charitable contributions.
2012: Patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society
In 2012, Bernadette Peters became a Patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society.
April 2013: Appearance in "Smash" as Leigh
In April 2013, Bernadette Peters appeared in "The Parents" episode of Smash as Leigh, singing the song "Hang the Moon".
May 2013: Appearance in "Smash" Episode "The Phenomenon"
In May 2013, Bernadette Peters appeared in "The Phenomenon" episode of Smash.
2013: Touring with Cabaret Act and Concert Series
Since 2013, Bernadette Peters has been touring intermittently with her cabaret act, An Evening with Bernadette Peters, and a concert series, "Bernadette Peters in Concert".
April 2014: Concert Performances in Australia
In April 2014, Bernadette Peters gave concert performances in Australia, receiving positive reviews for her natural warmth and ability to convey the emotional content of a song, breathing new life into "Send In the Clowns".
2014: Role in Mozart in the Jungle
In 2014, Bernadette Peters began playing Gloria Windsor in Mozart in the Jungle, an Amazon Studios web series.
2014: Performance at Olivier Awards Ceremony
In 2014, Bernadette Peters performed at the Olivier Awards ceremony, singing the song "Losing My Mind".
December 2015: Sinatra: Voice for a Century Concert
In December 2015, Bernadette Peters performed in the concert Sinatra: Voice for a Century at Lincoln Center as a fundraiser for the new David Geffen Hall, celebrating Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday. She sang "It Never Entered My Mind." The event, hosted by Seth MacFarlane with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Sting, Billy Porter, Sutton Foster and Fantasia Barrino, was planned to be broadcast by PBS as part of its "Live from Lincoln Center" series.
2015: Release of "Stella and Charlie Friends Forever"
In 2015, Bernadette Peters released her third children's book, titled Stella and Charlie Friends Forever, about her rescue dog Charlie joining her household and getting along with her older dog, Stella.
June 2016: Concerts in the UK
In June 2016, Bernadette Peters performed concerts in the UK at the Royal Festival Hall, Manchester Opera House, and Edinburgh Playhouse.
2017: Recurring role in The Good Fight
In 2017, Bernadette Peters began playing Lenore Rindell in The Good Fight.
January 20, 2018: Broadway Debut in Hello, Dolly!
On January 20, 2018, Bernadette Peters began performances in the title role of Hello, Dolly! on Broadway, succeeding Bette Midler.
July 15, 2018: Final Performance as Dolly
On July 15, 2018, Bernadette Peters gave her final performance as Dolly in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!
2018: Brooke Astor Award from the Animal Medical Center
In 2018, Bernadette Peters received the Brooke Astor Award from the Animal Medical Center for her lifelong commitment to animal welfare, including the over 2,000 adoptions to date at Broadway Barks events.
2020: Role in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
In 2020, Bernadette Peters began playing Deb in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.
2020: Role in Katy Keene
In 2020, Bernadette Peters played Ms. Freesia in the series Katy Keene.
2021: Role in Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas
In 2021, Bernadette Peters played Deb in the television film Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas.
May 3, 2022: Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends Tribute Concert
On May 3, 2022, Bernadette Peters participated in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, a Cameron Mackintosh-produced tribute concert at the Sondheim Theatre, London.
September 2023: West End Debut in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
In September 2023, Bernadette Peters made her West End debut in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, at the Gielgud Theatre.
January 2024: End of Run in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
In January 2024, Bernadette Peters' run in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre concluded.
April 2025: Broadway Transfer of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
In April 2025, Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters, transferred to Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
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