Bernadette Peters is a highly acclaimed American actress, singer, and author with a career spanning over six decades. She is primarily known for her work in Broadway musicals, where she has earned numerous Tony and Drama Desk awards. Peters has also graced television and film screens, held solo concerts, and released recordings. Her contributions to Broadway cast albums have garnered four Grammy Awards, solidifying her legacy as a legend in the entertainment industry.
Bernadette Peters was born on February 28, 1948.
In January 1958, at nine years old, Bernadette Peters obtained her Actors Equity Card under the stage name Bernadette Peters, taken from her father's first name, to avoid ethnic typecasting. This marked the beginning of her professional career in the entertainment industry.
Bernadette Peters appeared on NBC television as Anna Stieman in "A Boy Called Ciske", a Kraft Mystery Theatre production, in May 1958.
In December 1958, Peters was in a vignette entitled "Miracle in the Orphanage," part of "The Christmas Tree", a Hallmark Hall of Fame production.
At age 10, Bernadette Peters made her New York stage debut in "The Most Happy Fella".
Carla Thomas originally released the song "Gee Whiz," which Bernadette Peters later covered, in 1960.
Bernadette Peters released her first single in 1962.
Bernadette Peters performed in "The Sound of Music" and "Riverwind" in summer stock at the Mt. Gretna Playhouse in 1964.
Bernadette Peters had participated in a 1966 version of "Dames at Sea" at the Off-Off-Broadway performance club Caffe Cino.
Bernadette Peters was in "Riverwind" at the Bucks County Playhouse in 1966.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the Off-Broadway musicals "The Penny Friend" and "Curley McDimple" and served as a standby in the Broadway production of "The Girl in the Freudian Slip" in 1967.
Bernadette Peters' performance as "Ruby" in the 1968 Off-Broadway production of "Dames at Sea" earned her critical acclaim and her first Drama Desk Award.
Peters made her Broadway debut in "Johnny No-Trump" and starred as Josie in "George M!" opposite Joel Grey, winning the Theatre World Award in 1968.
Peters took on the starring role of Gelsomina in the 1969 musical adaptation of the Italian film "La Strada." Although her performance was well-received, the show unfortunately closed after a single performance.
In 1971, Peters was nominated for her first Tony Award for her role as Hildy in a revival of "On the Town".
Bernadette Peters appeared with Carol Burnett in the 1972 made-for-television version of "Once Upon a Mattress".
Bernadette Peters began her career in feature films and television films in 1973.
In 1974, Bernadette Peters starred in the Broadway musical "Mack and Mabel".
Peters was nominated for another Tony Award for her portrayal of Mabel Normand in the 1974 production of "Mack and Mabel". Her performance in the musical garnered significant recognition, establishing her as a prominent Broadway star.
Bernadette Peters' performance in the 1976 film "Silent Movie" earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the Mel Brooks film "Silent Movie" in 1976.
Bernadette Peters performed and presented at the Academy Awards broadcasts in 1976, 1981, 1983, 1987, and 1994.
Bernadette Peters was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearance on "The Muppet Show" in 1977.
Bernadette Peters and Steve Martin began a romantic relationship in 1977, which lasted approximately four years.
Bernadette Peters appeared as a guest with the Muppets when they hosted "The Tonight Show" in 1979.
Bernadette Peters starred alongside Steve Martin in "The Jerk", a role specifically written for her by Martin in 1979.
In 1979, Bernadette Peters starred opposite Steve Martin in "The Jerk".
Bernadette Peters released her debut solo album, "Bernadette Peters," in 1980, featuring the Top 40 hit single "Gee Whiz."
Bernadette Peters's debut album, originally titled "Decades" but released as "Bernadette Peters," was released in 1980, featuring a cover painted by Alberto Vargas.
Bernadette Peters hosted Saturday Night Live in November 1981.
Bernadette Peters appeared on the cover and in a photo spread in the December 1981 issue of Playboy Magazine. The spread featured her in lingerie designed by Bob Mackie.
Bernadette Peters released her second solo album, "Now Playing," in 1981.
Bernadette Peters's performance in the 1981 film "Pennies from Heaven" earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Comedy or Musical. Her portrayal of Eileen Everson, a schoolteacher who becomes a prostitute, was met with critical acclaim.
Bernadette Peters starred in "Pennies from Heaven" in 1981, for which she won a Golden Globe Award.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the 1982 film "Annie" alongside Carol Burnett.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the film "Annie" in 1982.
In 1982, Bernadette Peters returned to the New York Stage after an eight-year break. She appeared in the Off-Broadway Manhattan Theatre Club's production of the comedy-drama Sally and Marsha, one of her few non-musical roles. This performance earned her a Drama Desk Award Nomination.
Bernadette Peters performed and presented at the Academy Awards broadcasts in 1976, 1981, 1983, 1987, and 1994.
Bernadette Peters returned to Broadway in 1984 as Dot/Marie in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical, Sunday in the Park with George. Her performance received critical acclaim, including a positive review from The New York Times, and earned her a third Tony Award Nomination.
Bernadette Peters performed in the musical "Sunday in the Park with George" in 1984.
In 1985, Peters landed the role of Emma in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Song and Dance on Broadway. She won her first Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance.
1985 marked the year Bernadette Peters took the stage in the musical "Song and Dance".
Peters recorded her role in Sunday in the Park with George for PBS in 1986.
The Broadway cast recording of "Song and Dance," featuring Bernadette Peters, was released in 1986. The recording was notably titled "Bernadette Peters in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Song & Dance'."
In 1987, Bernadette Peters received two notable honors: a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the title of Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year.
In 1987, Bernadette Peters won an ACE Award for her performance as Dot in the recorded PBS version of Sunday in the Park with George.
Bernadette Peters performed and presented at the Academy Awards broadcasts in 1976, 1981, 1983, 1987, and 1994.
Bernadette Peters originated the role of the Witch in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods in 1987. She also won a CableACE Award for her performance as Dot in the television version of Sunday in the Park with George that same year.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the musical "Into the Woods" in 1987.
In 1989, Bernadette Peters starred in two films: James Ivory's Slaves of New York and Buddy Van Horn's action-comedy Pink Cadillac, in which she appeared alongside Clint Eastwood.
Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin collaborated on the album "Dress Casual," released in 1990. The album featured their renditions of songs from Stephen Sondheim's 1966 television play, "Evening Primrose."
Peters appeared in Woody Allen's film Alice and the television film The Last Best Year in 1990.
In 1991, Bernadette Peters played Marie D'Agoult in the James Lapine-directed period drama Impromptu.
Bernadette Peters's debut album was re-released on CD in 1992 under the title "Bernadette," featuring selected songs from "Now Playing" and the original 1980 Vargas cover art.
Bernadette Peters performed at Stephen Sondheim's Kennedy Center Honors ceremony in 1993.
In 1993, Bernadette Peters was part of the musical "The Goodbye Girl".
In 1993, Peters starred in the musical adaptation of Neil Simon's The Goodbye Girl, featuring music by Marvin Hamlisch.
Bernadette Peters was presented with the Sarah Siddons Award in 1994 for her outstanding performance in the Chicago theatrical production of "The Goodbye Girl."
Bernadette Peters performed and presented at the Academy Awards broadcasts in 1976, 1981, 1983, 1987, and 1994.
In 1995, a benefit concert of the musical "Anyone Can Whistle" was held in support of the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
Peters continued her collaborations with Sondheim in 1995 by performing the role of Fay Apple in a benefit concert of Anyone Can Whistle.
On July 20, 1996, Bernadette Peters married investment adviser Michael Wittenberg in a ceremony at the Millbrook, New York, residence of her longtime friend Mary Tyler Moore.
Bernadette Peters held a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1996, with proceeds benefiting the Gay Men's Health Crisis.
Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1996. Notably, she dedicated the second half of the performance to the works of renowned composer Stephen Sondheim.
Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York City in 1996. Notably, she dedicated the second half of the performance to the works of renowned composer Stephen Sondheim.
Bernadette Peters released the album "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" in 1996, which garnered a Grammy Award nomination.
Bernadette Peters was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame at the Gershwin Theatre in New York City in 1996, becoming the youngest individual to receive this honor.
Peters voiced the character Sophie in the animated musical Anastasia in 1997. That same year, she also appeared in the television film Cinderella, which earned her a Golden Satellite Award nomination, and she began voicing Rita the stray cat on the animated series Animaniacs.
Bernadette Peters collaborated with musician John Whelan, lending her vocals to the song "Dublin Lady." This track was featured on Whelan's album "Flirting with the Edge," released in 1998.
Bernadette Peters graced the stage in "Annie Get Your Gun" in 1999.
Bernadette Peters performed a concert in London in 1999, which was recorded and subsequently released on video. This concert, similar in format to her Carnegie Hall debut, also received exposure on U.S. Public Television, further solidifying her presence in the entertainment industry.
Bernadette Peters received The Actors' Fund Artistic Achievement Medal in 1999.
In 1999, Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore co-founded Broadway Barks, an annual animal adopt-a-thon event held in New York City each July.
Peters won her second Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance as Annie Oakley in the 1999 Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun.
Bernadette Peters discussed her career and craft on an episode of Inside the Actors Studio that aired in November of 2000.
In 2001, Bernadette Peters was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on the Fox series Ally McBeal.
Peters appeared as Circe in the 2001 miniseries The Odyssey.
In June 2002, Bernadette Peters debuted her concert "Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein" at Radio City Music Hall. The concert featured songs from the album of the same name, which had been released earlier that year.
Peters was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children's Special for her work in the 2002 television film Bobbie's Girl.
In June 2002, Bernadette Peters debuted her concert "Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein" at Radio City Music Hall. The concert featured songs from the album of the same name, which had been released earlier that year.
Bernadette Peters co-hosted the Tony Awards ceremony with Gregory Hines in 2002.
Bernadette Peters had a significant year in 2002, receiving an honorary doctorate from Hofstra University and being inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame.
In 2003, Bernadette Peters received critical acclaim for her recording of songs from the musical "Gypsy." Critics praised her powerful vocals and the emotional depth she brought to the performance, particularly her rendition of "Rose's Turn."
Peters appeared in the film It Runs in the Family alongside Michael Douglas. She also appeared in the film Prince Charming. On stage, she starred as Mama Rose in the Broadway revival of Gypsy, earning another Tony nomination. Peters also performed at the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony for Burnett.
The year 2003 saw Bernadette Peters starring in the musical "Gypsy".
In March 2005, Peters filmed a pilot for an ABC situation comedy titled Adopted, in which she co-starred with Christine Baranski. The pilot was not picked up.
Michael Wittenberg, Bernadette Peters' husband, passed away on September 26, 2005, at the age of 43. He died in a helicopter crash in Montenegro while on a business trip.
Bernadette Peters contributed her vocals to four songs on the CD accompanying the 2005 children's book "Dewey Doo-it Helps Owlie Fly Again." Proceeds from the book benefited the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Notably, her "Sunday in the Park with George" co-star Mandy Patinkin also lent his voice to the project.
In 2005, Bernadette Peters released the live album "Sondheim Etc., Etc. Live At Carnegie Hall: The Rest of It." This album featured previously unreleased recordings from her 1996 Carnegie Hall concert.
Peters appeared in the penultimate episode of the NBC series Will & Grace, "Whatever Happened to Baby Gin?", as Karen Walker's (Megan Mullaly) sister.
In May 2006, Peters appeared in the film Come le formiche (Wine and Kisses) with F. Murray Abraham. She played a rich American who becomes involved with an Italian family who owns a vineyard.
Peters appeared as a defense attorney on an episode of the NBC series, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Bernadette Peters made her solo concert debut at Lincoln Center in New York City in 2006. Her performance was met with critical acclaim, with reviewers highlighting her stage presence and ability to connect with the audience.
Bernadette Peters was among the performers who helped celebrate the grand opening of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami in 2006. Her participation underscored her support for the arts and her prominent standing in the entertainment world.
Peters guest-starred as a judge on an episode of the ABC series Boston Legal.
Bernadette Peters was part of the "Broadway's Back" concert held at the Marquis Theatre in 2007. The concert celebrated the end of the stagehand strike.
Peters participated in a reading of the Sondheim-Weidman musical Bounce and a charity reading of the play Love Letters with actor John Dossett.
Bernadette Peters released her first children's book, "Broadway Barks," on June 8, 2008. The book, illustrated by Liz Murphy, promotes pet adoption and features a song written and performed by Peters. It reached #5 on The New York Times Children's Best Sellers: Picture Books list.
Peters appeared as an accident victim in an episode of the medical drama Grey's Anatomy.
Peters starred in the Lifetime television film Living Proof, in which she played Barbara, an art teacher battling breast cancer, who hesitates to participate in a study for the cancer drug Herceptin.
Throughout 2008, Bernadette Peters participated in several fundraising events and ceremonies. She was involved in a fundraiser for the Westport Country Playhouse, the opening ceremony and dedication of the renovated TKTS discount ticket booth in Times Square, and presented the Humanitarian Award to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation awards.
On March 8, 2009, Bernadette Peters participated in a private concert and ceremony at the Kennedy Center to celebrate Senator Ted Kennedy's last birthday. She sang "There Is Nothin' Like a Dame" at the event, which was hosted by Bill Cosby and attended by numerous senators, representatives, and then-President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Peters appeared in five episodes of the ABC series Ugly Betty as Jodie Papadakis, a magazine mogul in charge of the YETI (Young Editors Training Initiative) program.
Peters appeared at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June. The performance was filmed and broadcast in Australia later that month.
On November 9, 2009, Bernadette Peters held a benefit concert titled "A Special Concert for Broadway Barks Because Broadway Cares" at the Minskoff Theatre in New York City. The concert raised approximately $615,000 for Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Bernadette Peters participated in the opening celebration of The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center on November 19, 2009.
On November 21, 2009, Bernadette Peters was the headliner at The Alliance of The Arts Black Tie Anniversary Gala. The event took place at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks, California, a venue Peters had helped inaugurate fifteen years prior.
Bernadette Peters was the headlining act at the 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival in Adelaide, Australia. Her performances were well-received, with critics and audiences alike praising her energy and vocal abilities.
Bernadette Peters was recognized as the National Dance Institute Artistic Honoree in 2009.
Bernadette Peters paid tribute to Angela Lansbury by singing "Not While I'm Around" at the annual Drama League of New York benefit on February 8, 2010.
Bernadette Peters joined the Roundabout Theatre Company's "Sondheim 80" benefit concert in March 2010, celebrating Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday. She was also one of the Honorary Chairs for the event.
"Stella is a Star," Bernadette Peters's second children's book, was released in April 2010. The book, which encourages self-acceptance, includes a CD featuring a song written and performed by Peters.
Bernadette Peters introduced her second children's book, "Stella is a Star," at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books on April 24, 2010. During the event, she read excerpts from the book and performed a portion of the included song.
Bernadette Peters appeared in "A Little Night Music" in 2010.
Peters starred as Desirée Armfeldt in the Broadway revival of Sondheim's A Little Night Music. She took over the role from Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Bernadette Peters was the recipient of the Sondheim Award from the Signature Theatre in 2011.
In 2011, Bernadette Peters took on the role of Sally Durant Plummer in the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts production of the musical "Follies."
In 2011, Bernadette Peters was part of the musical "Follies".
The 2011 recording of the musical "Follies" featured Bernadette Peters in the role of Sally. Her performance on the recording was met with positive reviews, with critics noting the compelling nature of her portrayal.
Bernadette Peters made her first appearance as Leigh Conroy, Ivy's mother, in the NBC series "Smash" in the episode "The Workshop" in March 2012.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the season 1 finale of "Smash," titled "Bombshell," in May 2012.
Bernadette Peters was honored with the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the 66th Tony Awards in 2012. This award recognized her significant contributions to humanitarian work, particularly her dedication to Broadway Barks.
Bernadette Peters became a Patron of The Stephen Sondheim Society in 2012.
Bernadette Peters was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by New Dramatists, an organization dedicated to supporting emerging playwrights, in 2012. They acknowledged her for her innovative contributions to the theater and for consistently bringing out the best in the work of composers and writers.
Bernadette Peters received the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the Tony Awards in 2012.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the television show "Smash" from 2012 to 2013.
Bernadette Peters continued her recurring role in "Smash" in April 2013, appearing in "The Parents" episode where she sang an original song, "Hang the Moon," and the episode "Opening Night."
In May 2013, Peters appeared in the "Smash" episode "The Phenomenon" and starred in the Sondheim and Wynton Marsalis staged concert revue "A Bed and a Chair: A New York Love Affair" at New York City Center.
Bernadette Peters appeared in the television show "Smash" from 2012 to 2013.
Since 2013, Bernadette Peters has been intermittently touring with her cabaret act, "An Evening with Bernadette Peters," and a concert series titled "Bernadette Peters in Concert." These engagements continued to showcase her versatility and enduring appeal as a performer.
The Drama League honored Bernadette Peters with their Special Award of Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre in 2013. The award acknowledged her substantial contributions to musical theater.
Bernadette Peters embarked on a concert tour in Australia in April 2014. Her performances were met with positive reviews, with critics highlighting her vocal talents and her ability to connect with the material on an emotional level.
From 2014 to 2018, Bernadette Peters was part of the television show "Mozart in the Jungle".
From 2014 to 2018, Peters played Gloria Windsor in the Amazon Studios series "Mozart in the Jungle." In 2014, she also guest-starred in the Bravo series "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce" in the episode "Rule #21: Leave Childishness to Children."
Bernadette Peters delivered a performance of "Losing My Mind" at the Olivier Awards ceremony in 2014.
The concert "Sinatra: Voice for a Century" was broadcasted as part of PBS's "Live from Lincoln Center" series in December 2015. The concert, a celebration of Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday, saw Bernadette Peters performing "It Never Entered My Mind."
In 2015, Bernadette Peters released her third children's book, "Stella and Charlie Friends Forever," which tells the story of her rescue dog, Charlie, joining her household and his relationship with her older dog, Stella.
In 2015, the Drama League recognized Bernadette Peters as the Centennial Honoree at their Centennial Gala. The event featured a musical tribute to Peters, with performances by many of her past co-stars, including the original and current casts of "Dames at Sea." The League praised Peters for embodying the highest standards of American musical theater.
Bernadette Peters was honored with the John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre at the Theatre World Awards on May 23, 2016.
Bernadette Peters embarked on a concert tour in the United Kingdom in June 2016. Her tour included performances at prestigious venues like the Royal Festival Hall in London, Manchester Opera House, and Edinburgh Playhouse, further solidifying her international acclaim.
Bernadette Peters appeared in "The Good Fight" from 2017 to 2018.
Bernadette Peters took on the recurring role of Lenore Rindell in the CBS television series "The Good Fight" in 2017.
Bernadette Peters took on the title role in the Broadway revival of "Hello, Dolly!" at the Shubert Theatre, beginning her run on January 20, 2018.
Bernadette Peters concluded her successful run as Dolly in the Broadway revival of "Hello, Dolly!" on July 15, 2018.
Bernadette Peters was the guest of honor at the Manhattan Theatre Club's 2018 Fall Benefit in November 2018.
Bernadette Peters starred in "Hello, Dolly!" in 2018.
From 2014 to 2018, Bernadette Peters was part of the television show "Mozart in the Jungle".
Bernadette Peters was honored with the Brooke Astor Award by the Animal Medical Center in 2018. The award recognized her continuous dedication to animal welfare, including the more than 2,000 adoptions facilitated by the Broadway Barks events.
Bernadette Peters received the Prince Rainier III Award in 2019, which recognized her outstanding artistry and her significant philanthropic contributions.
Bernadette Peters appeared as Ms. Freesia in the television series "Katy Keene" in 2020.
Bernadette Peters joined the cast of "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" in 2020, playing the role of Deb. Her performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
From 2020 to 2021, Bernadette Peters appeared in "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist".
Bernadette Peters reprised her role as Deb in the television film "Zoey's Extraordinary Christmas" in 2021.
From 2020 to 2021, Bernadette Peters appeared in "Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist".
On May 3, 2022, Bernadette Peters participated in "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends," a tribute concert staged at the Sondheim Theatre in London. Produced by Cameron Mackintosh, the event celebrated the legacy of the legendary composer.
In 2022, Broadway Barks held its first in-person animal adoption event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event saw the participation of numerous Broadway stars and animal shelters. During the event, activists briefly interrupted Bernadette Peters' speech as they protested against the Humane Society of New York, one of the participating shelter organizations.
Bernadette Peters made her West End debut in September 2023, starring alongside Lea Salonga in the tribute revue "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends" at the Gielgud Theatre.
In 2023, Bernadette Peters appeared in the show "High Desert".
The run of "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends" at the Gielgud Theatre, featuring Bernadette Peters, concluded in January 2024.
"Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends," with Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, is scheduled to transfer to Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in March 2025, following a pre-Broadway engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles.