Merle Dandridge

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Merle Dandridge BIO

Having made an indelible mark on stage, television, and video games, Merle Dandridge continues to shine on the small screen, starring in Oprah Winfrey Network’s hit series “Greenleaf” which returned for its fourth season on September 3rd. She previously starred in FX’s “Sons of Anarchy”, CW’s “Starcrossed”, and NBC’s “The Night Shift”. Merle currently is set to star as a series regular opposite Kaley Couco in HBO Max’s upcoming thriller drama series, “The Flight Attendant”.
Born in Japan, raised in Nebraska and schooled in Chicago at Roosevelt University, Dandridge began her acting career with leading roles on Broadway in Spamalot (Lady of the Lake), Rent (Joanne), Aida (Aida), Tarzan(Kala) and Jesus Christ Superstar (Soul Girl, Disciple). Most recently, she played the role of Papa Ge, the sly demon of death, in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Ahrens and Flaherrty's "Once on This Island", for which she received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. Dandridge is the first woman to ever play this role, completely reinventing the character with her fearless portrayal. She has toured the U.S. and Europe six times and has been featured in several regional theatre productions (including multiple stints at The Geffen Playhouse and Pasadena Playhouse). She has also performed at The Hollywood Bowl and at Royal Albert Hall in London.
Dandridge has voiced several videogame characters and worked alongside Neil Druckmann in “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” and starred as Marlene in “The Last Of Us”. She has also voiced various character in “Dota 2”, Alyx Vance in “Half-Life 2”, and Katherine Collins in the Award-winning independent video game “Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture” for which she won the 2016 BAFTA for “Best Performer”.
In her Nebraska hometown, Merle has been inducted into the Hall of Fame where she spends time giving workshops, speeches, performances and participating in projects to raise arts awareness for the school district she grew up in. In Los Angeles, where she currently resides, she serves on the Board of Directors of The Geffen Playhouse and lends her voice and support to Harvest Home LA which provides housing and holistic support to homeless pregnant woman.

Merle Dandridge Photos

Merle Dandridge STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Manhattan Concert Productions Concert, 2020
Pharaoh

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival Production, 2017
Papa Ge

Papa Ge [Replacement]

[Los Angeles]
Hollywood Bowl Production, 2015
The Lady of the Lake

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2006
Kala

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2005
The Lady of the Lake [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2000
Disciple

Soul Girl

Mary Magdalene (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2000
Aida [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1996
Joanne Jefferson [Replacement]


Merle Dandridge Movies

[2008]Nothing But the Truth Celia

[2022]Block Party Crystal Maitland


Merle Dandridge TV Shows

Greenleaf Grace Greenleaf

Sons of Anarchy Rita Roosevelt

The Newsroom Maria Guerrero

The Night Shift Gwen Gaskin

Merle Dandridge Videos

Merle Dandridge News


Merle Dandridge and Jenna Ushkowitz Will Host Benefit Concert For Harvest Home L.A.

Television and Broadway stars Merle Dandridge (The Last of Us, Station 19) and Jenna Ushkowitz (Glee, Waitress) will host a night of pop and Broadway performances as part of a benefit concert for Harvest Home L.A. 

15 Stars You May or May Not Have Known Were in SPAMALOT

With Spamalot returning to Broadway, we're taking a walk down memory lane and reflecting on some of the stars who have appeared in previous productions of the musical. From Broadway to London, Chicago, touring productions, Las Vegas, the Hollywood Bowl, and more, there have been many faces you may recognize who have taken on these roles. 

A SPAMALOT Recap- Everything You Need to Know!

The search for the grail will continue on Broadway this fall! Direct from a sold out run at the Kennedy Center, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical comedy Monty Python’s SPAMALOT will return to Broadway at the St. James Theatre.

Renée Fleming, and More Will Perform in 'Music from Beethoven to Previn' With the Cleveland Orchestra

The Cleveland Orchestra announced celebrated soprano Renée Fleming will return to Severance Music Center on October 15, 2023, joined by pianist Simone Dinnerstein, the Emerson String Quartet, and actress Merle Dandridge (The Last of Us).

Interview: Josh Strickland on His Final Time in TARZAN

Josh Strickland originated the title role in Disney’s TARZAN on Broadway in 2006 and has since been the iconic voice of the character as the musical has lived on through the fan favorite cast album and licensing around the world. Now the star returns to TARZAN through October 21, 2023 at Tuacahn.  Josh Strickland happily sat down with BroadwayWorld near the Tuacahn Amphitheatre to discuss his long association with the show from audition to Broadway to Germany, and now in what he calls his “last hurrah” at Tuacahn.

Exclusive: Hear Merle Dandridge Sing in ALICE'S WONDERLAND BAKERY

Merle Dandridge (Jesus Christ Superstar, Rent, Once on This Island)V voices the Silver Queen – and sings! – in a very special upcoming episode of the hit Disney series “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery.” Watch an exclusive video clip from the episode now!

Merle Dandridge, Regina Taylor, Andre Royo & More to Star in IS GOD IS Staged Reading Presented by Lobby Theatre

Lobby Theatre will debut for the first time in Los Angeles with a staged reading of Aleshea Harris’s Obie Award-winning play, ‘IS GOD IS,’ starring Merle Dandridge, Jayme Lawson, Regina Taylor, and Dominique Thorne.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Enters Final Two Weeks of Performances at Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse’s Sondheim Celebration production of  A Little Night Music, directed by David Lee with choreography by Mark Esposito and musical supervision by Darryl Archibald, is in its final two weeks, and must close Sunday, May 28. 

Video: Watch Merle Dandridge Perform 'Send in the Clowns' From A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

Watch Merle Dandridge perform 'Send in the Clowns' from A Little Night Music, now playing at Pasadena Playhouse.

Scoop: Coming Up on the Season Finale of STATION 19 on ABC - Thursday, May 18, 2023

Get all the scoop on STATION 19, airing on ABC on Thursday, May 18, 2023! The Station 19 crew trade in their turnouts for tuxes and gowns as they attend the Firefighters Ball; but when disaster strikes, they jump into action to save the day. Watch a video clip now!

PHOTO FLASH: Premiere de LA SIRENITA en Los Ángeles

El próximo 26 de mayo llegará a los cines el remake de acción real de LA SIRENITA, y el pasado lunes 8 de mayo la cinta tuvo su premiere mundial en Los Ángeles, a la que asistieron el equipo y reparto de la película, además de varios invitados especiales atados al legado de la misma.

Review: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Pasadena Playhouse

Part of its Stephen Sondheim Celebration this spring, “A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC” is another triumph for the Pasadena Playhouse, following up the sublime “Sunday in the Park with George.”

VIDEO: Cast of Pasadena Playhouse's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Sings 'A Weekend in the Country' & 'Send In The Clowns'

Get a first look at the cast of Pasadena Playhouse's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC rehearsing the show-stopping 'A Weekend in the Country.'

Pasadena Playhouse Extends A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

Pasadena Playhouse presents its 50th anniversary production of A Little Night Music which will extend through Sunday, May 28. Performances will begin April 25 and press opening is April 30. 

Pasadena Playhouse Extends Stephen Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC Through The End of May!

Danny Feldman, Producing Artistic Director of Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theater of California, has announced the full cast and creative team for the Playhouse's 50th anniversary production of A Little Night Music which will extend through Sunday, May 28.

Wake Up With BWW 3/3: FUNNY GIRL Sets Closing, First Look at BOB FOSSE'S DANCIN', and More!

Top stories: First look at Bob Fosse's Dancin' and meet eh cast as the show begins previews, plus Funny Girl sets closing date with the lead cast extending their runs. Read more about these and other top stories here!

Merle Dandridge, Michael Hayden, Jodi Long & More to Star in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Pasadena Playhouse

Pasadena Playhouse has announced the cast for the 50th anniversary production of A Little Night Music. See who is starring, and how to purchase tickets!

Episode Five Of THE LAST OF US To Premiere Early On HBO Max

The cast features Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, and more.

HBO Renews THE LAST OF US For A Second Season

Season one stars Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, and more.

VIDEO: Octavia Spencer & Gabrielle Union Lead TRUTH BE TOLD Season Three Trailer

Apple TV+ has unveiled the trailer for the third season of its NAACP Image Award-winning anthology “Truth Be Told” starring Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, who also executive produces, and award-winning actress Gabrielle Union, who joins the all-new season. The video trailer also stars Ron Cephas Jones, Merle Dandridge, and Tracie Thoms.

Merle Dandridge FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Merle Dandridge has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

Merle Dandridge has not appeared in the West End.

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