Betty Buckley

Betty Lynn Buckley is an American actress and singer. She won the 1983 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Grizabella in the original Broadway production of "Cats". Buckley went on to play Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" (1994–96) in both London and New York, receiving a 1995 Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical, and was nominated for the 1997 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for "Triumph of Love". Her other notable Broadway credits include "1776" (1969), "Pippin" (1973), "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" (1985), and "Gypsy" at the Papermill Playhouse. She is also a two-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee, a two-time Grammy Award nominee, and a 2012 American Theater Hall of Fame inductee. Buckley has garnered further recognition with awards such as the Julie Harris Award from The Actor’s Fund for Artistic Achievement in 2017 and the Texas Medal of the Arts Award in Theater in 2009.

Buckley starred in the TV series "Eight Is Enough" from 1977 to 1981 and played gym teacher Ms. Collins in the 1976 film "Carrie", before going on to star in the short-lived Broadway musical version of "Carrie" in 1988, playing Carrie White's mother, Margaret. Her other film roles include Dixie Scott in "Tender Mercies" (1983), Sondra Walker in "Frantic" (1988), Kathy in "Another Woman" (1988), and Mrs. Jones in "The Happening" (2008). She received a Saturn Award nomination for her role as Dr. Karen Fletcher in the 2016 film "Split". Her other television credits include the series "Oz" (2001–03), the series "Preacher" (2018), and a recurring role on the CW's "Supergirl". From September 2018 to August 2019, she starred as the title role in the U.S. national tour of "Hello, Dolly".

In addition to her acting career, Buckley has made significant contributions to music and education. She has recorded 17 CDs, including "Story Songs" released in April 2017, and received a Grammy nomination for her album "Stars and the Moon, Betty Buckley Live at the Donmar". Passionate about teaching, Buckley conducts workshops in scene study and song interpretation in various locations including New York City, Los Angeles, and Texas at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Buckley also offers performances in various formats such as solo, duo, trio, band, and symphony performances, and hosts an event titled "Meditations on Broadway: An Evening with Betty Buckley."