Betty Buckley

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Betty Buckley most recently led the national tour of Hello, Dolly!
In an award-winning career that encompasses television, film, stage, and concert work around the globe, Betty Buckley is best known as the quintessential musical theatre actress. Stage roles range from the wife of an early U.S. President in 1776, which marked Buckley's Broadway debut, to her critically acclaimed, Olivier Award-nominated performance as the deluded, silent screen star Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, a part she re-created on Broadway to equal success. Buckley also earned a Tony Award for her performance as Grizabella in Cats and a Tony nomination for Triumph of Love.
Her other Broadway credits include Pippin, Song and Dance, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Carrie. Off-Broadway credits include the world premiere of Horton Foote's The Old Friends (Drama Desk Award nomination), White's Lies, Elegies, The Eros Trilogy, Juno's Swans, and I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road. Regional credits include The Perfectionist, Gypsy, The Threepenny Opera, Camino Real, Buffalo Gal, Arsenic and Old Lace, and Grey Gardens at the Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor, NY and The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles, for which she received an Ovation Award Nomination.
In London she starred in Promises, Promises for which she was nominated for an Evening Standard Award and in the British premiere of Dear World.
In addition to her contributions to the stage, Buckley has also released an astonishing 17 solo albums, most recently Ghostlight, produced by Oscar and muti-Grammy Award-winning producer, T Bone Burnett, released in 2014, and Story Songs, released in 2017. Ms. Buckley's 18th solo album, Hope, recorded live at Joe's Pub, was released last spring by Palmetto Records.
She has twice been nominated for a Grammy Award, in 2000 for The Diaries of Adam and Eve and again in 2002 for Stars and the Moon: Live at the Donmar.
She tours in concert worldwide with her ensemble of musicians and in 2015 was featured in the Royal Albert Hall concert of Follies in celebration of Stephen Sondheim's 85th birthday.
Buckley's film roles include Miss Collins in Brian De Palma's classic Carrie (1976) and country singer Dixie Scott in Bruce Beresford's Tender Mercies (1983), which features her rendition of the Academy Award-nominated and Golden Globe Award-winning song "Over You." Ms. Buckley most recently co-starred with James McAvoy in the M. Night Shyamalan film Split (2017), for which she received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Featured Actress.
Additional film credits include Frantic (1988), Another Woman (1988), Wyatt Earp (1999), and M. Night Shyamalan's The Happening (2008). On television, Ms. Buckley played Abby Bradford in the drama series "Eight is Enough" (1977-1981) and received Daytime Emmy Award nominations for her work in both "Bobby and Sarah" (1984) and "Taking a Stand" (1989). She also had recurring roles on the HBO series "Oz" (2001-2003) and "Pretty Little Liars" (2012), and most recently on "Supergirl," "Chicago Med," "The Leftovers," and "Getting On."
In 2017, Buckley was honored with the prestigious Julie Harris Award by The Actor's Fund and in 2009, she received the Texas Medal of the Arts Award in Theater, following her induction into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in Austin, TX, in 2007. She has been awarded two honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts for her contribution to the musical theatre by Marymount College and the Boston Conservatory of Music. In 2012 she was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

Betty Buckley Photos

Betty Buckley STAGE CREDITS

[US Tour]
Revival National Tour, 2018
Dolly Gallagher Levi

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere, 2013
Gertrude Hayhurst Sylvester Ratliff

[West End]
Charing Cross Theatre Production, 2013
Countess Aurelia

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2010
Performer

[Broadway]
Stephen Sondheim Tribute Benefit, 2005
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Performer [Replacement]

[Williamstown, MA (Regional)]
Williamstown Theatre Festival Production, 2003
Jenny

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2003
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
2003
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1999
Performer

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 1998
Rose

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1997
Hesione

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1994
Norma Desmond [Replacement]

[West End]
Original London Production, 1993
Norma Desmond [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1988
Margaret White

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1985
Edwin Drood/Alice Nutting

Edwin Drood / Miss Alice Nutting

[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1985
Emma [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1985
Edwin Drood (Alice Nutting)

Edwin Drood/Alice Nutting

[Off-Broadway]
1985
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1982
Grizabella

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1978
Heather [Replacement]

Heather [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1972
Catherine [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1971
Performer

[West End]
London Production, 1969
Fran Kubelik

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1969
Martha Jefferson

Martha Jefferson [Replacement]


Betty Buckley Videos

Betty Buckley News


Alice Ripley and John McDaniel to Perform at Birdland in April

BIRDLAND JAZZ CLUB will present Tony Award-winning singer and actress Alice Ripley and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musical director and pianist John McDaniel in concert. Learn how to purchase tickets.

CHristine Lavin and Julie Gold Come to Birdland Theater in APRIL FOOLS

BIRDLAND THEATER will present beloved singer/songwriters Christine Lavin and Julie Gold in the show “April Fools” on Tuesday, April 2 at 5:30 PM.

The Blue Strawberry Brings Broadway Veterans Melissa Errico, John Lloyd Young, and Alice Ripley to St. Louis

Blue Strawberry Showroom and Lounge welcomes a pair of Tony winning actors and a Tony nominee in the coming months. Melissa Errico, Alice Ripley, and John Lloyd Young will bring their cabaret shows to the club in mid-town St. Louis. Errico, a 2008 Tony nominee, will perform her show of Sondheim classics on April 26th and 27th. Young, the Tony winner for Lead Actor in a Musical for his role as Franki Valli in JERSEY BOYS, performs on May 8th and 9th. The Tony winner for NEXT TO NORMAL, Alice Ripley, will be joined by Grammy and Emmy Winner John McDaniel on May 24th and 25th to share their music and stories from a lifetime on Broadway.  

Interview: Betty Buckley on Adding IMAGINARY to Her Horror Film Résumé

Since her film debut in Carrie, Betty Buckley has carved out a lengthy history with horror movies. BroadwayWorld caught up with Buckley to discuss working with Jason Blum on her new film, Imaginary, how she got her start in horror films with Carrie, and how she created her new short film, The Mayfly.

Betty Buckley's Animated Short Film Sets Film Festival Debut

Betty Buckley has created, wrote and narrated The Mayfly, an animated short film. Animated traditionally in 2D, The Mayfly is the story of Megalyn Mayfly, who goes against all expectations and dedicates her short life to music and dance. Her quest takes her from Central Park West to the Upper East Side's Carlyle Hotel.

Previews: HEART LIKE A WHEEL: RITA HARVEY SINGS LINDA RONSTADT at City Winery

City Winery NYC presents Rita Harvey’s ‘Heart Like A Wheel’ – A Tribute to the Music of Linda Ronstadt live on March 2nd at 1pm.

GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY & More Lead Los Angeles's Spring 2024 Top Theatre Shows

Los Angeles is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for Spring 2024 include Girl From the North Country​​​​​​​ and more!

Betty Buckley Will Return to Joe's Pub in May

Tony Award-winning, stage and screen icon Betty Buckley will return to Joe’s Pub in New York City for six live performances on May 16-18, 2024. Find out how to get tickets to catch Ms. Buckley at Joe's Pub here!

WHISPER DARKLY Concept Album Featuring Brad Oscar, Alli Mauzey & More Out Now

The concept album of the new immersive electro-swing musical Whisper Darkly is available in digial and streaming formats now.

Review: BETTY Celebrates 38 Years Performing Together to cheers at Joe's Pub

BETTY has been making music for 38 years. BroadwayWorld got a taste of their world – the wildness, the women, the wow. Their show on February 14th was quite something at Joe's Pub, welcomed by cheering fans.

Robert Klein and Julie Gold Among The 14 Honorees At The 39th Annual BISTRO AWARDS GALA

Celebrate the musical and comedy artistry of Robert Klein, Julie Gold, and more at the 39th Annual Bistro Awards Gala on April 1 at Gotham Comedy Club. Hosted by Steve Hayes, the event honors exceptional artists with performances and special awards.

Complete Cast Set for SWIMMING IN JERUSALEM: A MODERN MUSICAL PARABLE

Swimming in Jerusalem: A Modern Musical Parable will be presented in a concert format for five free public performances at off-Broadway's Theater555. Learn how to purchase tickets.

The Broadway Community Pays Tribute to Chita Rivera

Social media timelines are flooded in memoriam of Broadway icon Chita Rivera, who passed at the age of 91. Take a look at her life and legacy on the Great White Way.

SWIMMING IN JERUSALEM: A Modern Musical Parable to Have Free Public Performances at Theater555

Swimming in Jerusalem: A Modern Musical Parable, exploring relationships among citizens of Israel as presented through the complex experiences of teenage swimmers in a YMCA swim club in Jerusalem, will be presented in a concert format for five free public performances at off-Broadway's Theater555.

Lea Salonga, Gavin Creel, Vanessa Williams, Brian d'Arcy James & More Set for MISCAST24

MCC Theater has revealed that Miscast24 will take place on Monday April 15, 2024 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Learn additional details!

Photos & Video: Celebrate 60 Years of HELLO, DOLLY!

60 years ago today, on January 16, 1964, Hello, Dolly! arrived on Broadway. Check out some videos to celebrate the show!

Brad Oscar, Alli Mauzey & More to Star in Immersive Musical WHISPER DARKLY Concept Cast Album

The new immersive electro-swing musical Whisper Darkly – the first musical written in the retro-inspired genre – will release a concept cast album on Friday, February 23. Learn more about how to pre-save the music here!

NiCori Studios & Productions To Present CATS: Young Actor's Edition

NiCori Studios & Productions has announced that they will be the first in NJ to produce “CATS: Young Actor's Edition”, the brand new, one-hour adaptation of the world renowned Andrew Lloyd Webber TONY Award winning musical on Thursday through Sunday, January 25, 26 and 27, 2024. 

Rebecca Spencer And Philip Fortenberry To Debut New Concert THE BERGMAN PROJECT at The Stirling Club

Rebecca Spencer and Philip Fortenberry debut new concert in Las Vegas. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Betty Buckley FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Betty Buckley has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.

Betty Buckley has appeared on London's West End in 3 shows.

Betty Buckley's first West End show was Promises, Promises which opened in 1969

Betty Buckley has been nominated for several awards throughout her career, including Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Old Friends," Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Triumph of Love," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Triumph of Love," Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Triumph of Love," Best Actress in a Musical at the Olivier Awards for "Sunset Boulevard," Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Cats," and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Cats."

Betty Buckley has won the Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "Triumph of Love" and the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Cats."

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