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 highly acclaimed American actress and singer renowned for her extensive career across musical theatre, television, film, solo concerts, and recordings. She is particularly celebrated for her Broadway performances, having earned seven Tony Award nominations, winning two, and nine Drama Desk Award nominations, winning three. Furthermore, four of her Broadway cast albums have achieved Grammy Award wins, solidifying her impact and recognition in the entertainment industry over her six-decade career.
1966: Creation of Evening Primrose
In 1966, Stephen Sondheim wrote the television play Evening Primrose.
1980: Release of Debut Album Bernadette Peters
In 1980, Bernadette Peters released her debut album titled Bernadette Peters, featuring 10 songs and cover art by Alberto Vargas.
1980: Release of Gee Whiz
In 1980, Bernadette Peters released the single "Gee Whiz", a remake of Carla Thomas' 1960 hit, which reached the top forty on the U.S. Billboard pop singles charts.
December 1981: Appeared in Playboy Magazine
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 Now Playing
In 1981, Bernadette Peters released her album Now Playing, featuring songs by various artists including Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, Carole Bayer Sager and Marvin Hamlisch, and Stephen Sondheim.
1990: Recording of Evening Primrose
In 1990, Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin recorded songs from Stephen Sondheim's 1966 television play, Evening Primrose, on the Mandy Patinkin Dress Casual album.
1992: Re-release of Bernadette
In 1992, the album Bernadette Peters was re-released on CD as Bernadette, including some songs from Now Playing.
1995: Benefit concert Anyone Can Whistle
In 1995, the benefit concert Anyone Can Whistle and Peters's "Carnegie Hall" 1996 concert were benefits for the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
1996: Carnegie Hall concert benefit
In 1996, Bernadette Peter's "Carnegie Hall" concert, as well as the 1995 benefit concert Anyone Can Whistle, were benefits for the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
1996: Solo Concert Debut at Carnegie Hall
In 1996, Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City, dedicating the second half to the work of Stephen Sondheim.
1998: Release of Flirting with the Edge
In 1998, Bernadette Peter's song "Dublin Lady" was released on John Whelan's album Flirting with the Edge.
1999: Co-founded 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.
1999: London Concert
In 1999, Bernadette Peters performed a solo concert in London, which was recorded, released on VHS, and aired on US public television stations.
June 2002: Radio City Music Hall Solo Concert Debut
In June 2002, Bernadette Peters made her Radio City Music Hall solo concert debut, which was 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".
March 2005: Pilot for ABC's Adopted
In March 2005, Bernadette Peters filmed a pilot for an ABC situation comedy series titled Adopted, co-starring Christine Baranski, but the show was not picked up.
2005: Release of Sondheim Etc., Etc. Live at Carnegie Hall
In 2005, Bernadette Peters released her solo album titled Sondheim Etc., Etc. Live at Carnegie Hall: The Rest of It, consisting of songs from her 1996 Carnegie Hall concert not included in the earlier recording.
2005: Contribution to 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, with proceeds benefiting the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Mandy Patinkin also sang on the CD.
May 2006: Appearance in Wine and Kisses
In May 2006, Bernadette Peters appeared in the film Come le formiche (Wine and Kisses) alongside F. Murray Abraham, filmed in Italy. She played a rich American involved with an Italian family owning a vineyard.
May 2006: Guest Appearance on Will & Grace
In May 2006, Bernadette Peters made a guest appearance on the NBC series Will & Grace, playing Karen Walker's sharp-tongued sister in the episode "Whatever Happened to Baby Gin?"
November 2006: Guest appearance on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
In November 2006, Bernadette Peters guest-starred as a defense attorney on the NBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
2006: Lincoln Center solo concert debut
In 2006, Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at Lincoln Center in New York City. Stephen Holden reviewed the concert, noting her preternatural innocence and ability to evoke a surrogate childhood playmate.
2006: Adrienne Arsht Center grand opening celebration
In 2006, Bernadette Peters was one of the performers who helped celebrate the grand opening of the Adrienne Arsht Center.
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: 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 reaches bestseller list
For the week of June 8, 2008, Bernadette Peter's children's book Broadway Barks, which includes a CD with her lullaby "Kramer's Song", reached No. 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, receiving praise for her performance.
October 18, 2008: Appearance in Living Proof
On October 18, 2008, Bernadette Peters appeared in the Lifetime television film Living Proof, playing Barbara, an art teacher with breast cancer initially reluctant to participate in a study for the cancer drug Herceptin.
2008: Fund-raiser for the Westport Country Playhouse and Humanitarian Award presentation
In 2008, Bernadette Peters participated in a fund-raiser for the Westport Country Playhouse and presented New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the Humanitarian Award at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation awards.
March 8, 2009: Celebration of Senator Ted Kennedy's last birthday
On March 8, 2009, Bernadette Peters helped celebrate Senator Ted Kennedy's last birthday, singing "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame" at a private concert held at the Kennedy Center.
May 2009: Appearance on Ugly Betty
In May 2009, Bernadette Peters appeared in the ABC series Ugly Betty as Jodie Papadakis, a magazine mogul running the YETI program.
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: Benefit concert for Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
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 as a benefit for both Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, raising an estimated $615,000.
November 19, 2009: Opening of The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
On November 19, 2009, Bernadette Peters helped to celebrate the opening of The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center.
2009: Adelaide Cabaret Festival Headliner
In 2009, Bernadette Peters headlined the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Adelaide, Australia. The Sunday Mail noted that Peters showed "the verve, vigour and voice of someone half her age."
2009: Benefit performance on Seabourn Odyssey and Anniversary Gala Headliner
In 2009, Bernadette Peters performed on the Seabourn Odyssey for a benefit for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. On November 21, 2009, she headlined The Alliance of The Arts Black Tie Anniversary Gala in Thousand Oaks, California.
February 8, 2010: Honoring Angela Lansbury at Drama League of New York benefit
On February 8, 2010, Bernadette Peters honored Angela Lansbury at the annual Drama League of New York benefit, singing "Not While I'm Around".
March 2010: Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday 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.
April 2010: Release of Stella is a Star
In April 2010, Bernadette Peters released her second children's book, Stella is a Star, which includes a CD with an original song written and performed by her.
April 24, 2010: Book reading and signing at Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
On April 24, 2010, Bernadette Peters introduced her book Stella is a Star at a reading and signing at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, where she also sang part of the song included with the book.
2010: Starred in A Little Night Music
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: Starred in Follies at the Kennedy Center
In 2011, Bernadette Peters starred as Sally Durant Plummer in the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts production of the Sondheim–Goldman musical Follies, receiving high praise for her performance.
March 2012: Appearance on Smash
In March 2012, Bernadette Peters first appeared in the NBC series Smash as Leigh Conroy, Ivy's mother, a retired Broadway star, in the episode "The Workshop."
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 presumed role as Marilyn.
2012: Received Isabelle Stevenson Award
At the 66th Tony Awards in 2012, Bernadette Peters was honored with the Isabelle Stevenson Award for her substantial contributions to humanitarian, social service, and charitable organizations, particularly her work with Broadway Barks.
2012: Patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society
In 2012, Bernadette Peters became a Patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society.
April 2013: Appearance on Smash
In April 2013, Bernadette Peters appeared in "The Parents" episode of Smash, singing an original song "Hang the Moon" as Leigh.
May 2013: Appearance on Smash
In May 2013, Bernadette Peters appeared in "The Phenomenon" episode of Smash.
2013: Touring with cabaret act
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. A reviewer noted her natural warmth and ability to deliver emotionally resonant performances.
2014: Starred in Mozart in the Jungle
In 2014, Bernadette Peters began playing Gloria Windsor in Mozart in the Jungle, a web video series by Amazon Studios.
2014: Performance at the 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, a fundraiser for the new David Geffen Hall in celebration of Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday. She sang "It Never Entered My Mind." PBS planned to broadcast the event 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, Stella and Charlie Friends Forever, about her rescue dog Charlie joining her household.
June 2016: Concerts in the UK
In June 2016, Bernadette Peters gave 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 the recurring role of Lenore Rindell in the CBS television series The Good Fight.
January 20, 2018: Debut in Hello, Dolly!
On January 20, 2018, Bernadette Peters began performing as Dolly in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! at the Shubert Theatre, succeeding Bette Midler.
July 15, 2018: Final Performance in Hello, Dolly!
On July 15, 2018, Bernadette Peters gave her final performance as Dolly in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! at the Shubert Theatre.
2018: Received Brooke Astor Award
In 2018, Bernadette Peters received the Brooke Astor Award from the Animal Medical Center for her lifelong commitment to animal welfare.
2020: Appearance in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist
In 2020, Bernadette Peters played Deb in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.
2020: Appearance in Katy Keene
In 2020, Bernadette Peters played Ms. Freesia in the series Katy Keene.
2021: Appearance in Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas
In 2021, Bernadette Peters appeared 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 tribute concert produced by Cameron Mackintosh, at the Sondheim Theatre in London.
2022: Broadway Barks holds in-person animal adoption event
In 2022, Broadway Barks held its first in-person animal adoption event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The event was briefly interrupted by activists protesting against the Humane Society of New York.
September 2023: West End Debut in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
In September 2023, Bernadette Peters made her West End debut alongside Lea Salonga in the tribute revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre.
January 2024: Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre
In January 2024, Bernadette Peters was performing alongside Lea Salonga in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre.
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