Annaleigh Ashford

After appearing as Natalie in *Feeling Electric* at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2005, Annaleigh Ashford joined the first national tour of *Wicked* as Pfanne and understudy for Glinda. She made her Broadway debut in 2007, originating the role of Margot in *Legally Blonde: The Musical*, and later appeared in *Catch Me If You Can*. Ashford returned to *Wicked* in 2007 as Glinda on Broadway before transferring with the role to the Chicago production in 2008.

In 2008, Ashford made her film debut in *Sex and the City* and also appeared in *Rachel Getting Married*. She participated in readings of *The Addams Family*, *Bring It On*, *Company*, and other developing musicals. In 2010, she starred as Jeanie in the Broadway revival of *Hair*, directed a concert at Birdland Jazz Club, and appeared in readings of *Heathers* and *Carrie*.

Ashford played Maureen Johnson in the Off-Broadway revival of *Rent* (2011–2012) and appeared in the Off-Broadway musical *Dogfight* (2012), performing on its cast recording. On television, she guest-starred on *Smash* (2012–2013). In 2013, she voiced a troll in Disney’s *Frozen* and originated the role of Lauren in the Broadway production of *Kinky Boots*, earning Tony and Drama Desk Award nominations.

She joined the Showtime series *Masters of Sex* in 2013, becoming a series regular in its second season. In 2014, she starred as Essie Carmichael in the Broadway revival of *You Can’t Take It with You*, winning the 2015 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She subsequently starred in the Broadway revival of *Sylvia* (2015–2016). Her debut album, *Lost in the Stars: Live at 54 Below*, was released in 2015.

In 2016, Ashford appeared as Columbia in *The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again*. She starred opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in New York City Center’s concert production of *Sunday in the Park with George* and reprised the role of Dot/Marie in the Broadway revival in 2017. That year she also appeared as Helena in Shakespeare in the Park’s *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, joined the cast of the film *A Rainy Day in New York*, and made her New York Philharmonic debut in *New Year’s Eve: Bernstein on Broadway*.

Ashford appeared in *The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story* (2018), co-starred in the film *Second Act* (2018), and was cast in the musical film *American Reject*. In 2020, she began starring as Gina in the CBS sitcom *B Positive*, remaining with the series through its conclusion in 2022. She portrayed Paula Jones in *American Crime Story: Impeachment* (2021) and Irene in *Welcome to Chippendales* (2022).

In 2023, Ashford returned to Broadway as Mrs. Lovett in the revival of *Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street* opposite Josh Groban. Her performance earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy Award nomination as part of the cast album.