Dana Ivey
Birth Place: Atlanta, GA, USA
Annaleigh Ashford, Sandra Caldwell, & Ann Harada Join YOU MIGHT KNOW HER FROM Live Podcast Recording at Laurie Beechman Theatre (Feb 18, 2026)
Stream Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Online Now (Feb 12, 2026)
Miguel Cervantes, Kathryn Gallagher and More to Join NYSAF's 40th Anniversary Gala (Nov 25, 2025)
BIO
Before moving to New York City in the late 1970s, Ivey appeared in numerous stage productions in the United States and Canada and served as director of DramaTech in Atlanta from 1974 to 1977. She made her television debut in the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow in 1978. Ivey made her Broadway debut in Macbeth (1981) and the following year appeared in a revival of Noël Coward’s Present Laughter (1982), receiving the Clarence Derwent Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. In 1984, she appeared in Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George and in a revival of Heartbreak House, receiving Tony Award nominations for both productions. Her stage work also included Quartermaine’s Terms, Driving Miss Daisy, in which she originated the title role, and Mrs. Warren’s Profession (2005), earning Obie Awards for these performances.
Ivey’s film career began with Explorers (1985). She also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s film The Color Purple (1985) and later in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988). Her subsequent film credits include Postcards from the Edge (1990), The Addams Family (1991), Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992), The Adventures of Huck Finn (1993), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Addams Family Values (1993), Sabrina (1995), Simon Birch (1998), Orange County (2002), Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde (2003), Rush Hour 3 (2007), The Leisure Seeker (2017), and The Importance of Being Earnest. She also appeared in Two Weeks Notice (2002).
Her television credits include a starring role in the sitcom Easy Street and guest appearances on series including Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, Frasier, Oz, The Practice, Sex and the City, Monk, Ugly Betty, and Boardwalk Empire. On stage, she appeared in the New York premiere of Evan Smith’s The Savannah Disputation at Playwrights Horizons in 2009. In 2010, she appeared as Winnie in Samuel Beckett’s Happy Days at the Westport Playhouse. She returned to Broadway in the Roundabout Theatre Company production of The Importance of Being Earnest (2011) as Miss Prism and later appeared as Mrs. Candour in The School for Scandal (2016) at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.
In film, she appeared in The Help (2011) and Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight (2013).
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STAGE CREDITS
Awards and Nominations
Dana Ivey, Butley
winner
Dana Ivey, Mrs. Warren's Profession
Dana IveyCat on a Hot Tin Roof
Dana Ivey, The Rivals
Dana Ivey, Major Barbara
winner
Dana Ivey, The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Dana Ivey, The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Dana Ivey, The Last Night of Ballyhoo
Dana Ivey, Sex and Longing
Dana IveyWencelas Square
winner
Dana Ivey, Driving Miss Daisy
winner
Dana Ivey, Wenceslas Square
winner
Dana Ivey, Driving Miss Daisy
Dana Ivey, Heartbreak House
Dana Ivey, Present Laughter & Quartermaine's Terms
Videos
Angela Lansbury, Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, and More Set for Acting Company's Ruby Ball, 12/3
by Nicole Rosky - 2012-11-13 11:38:32
TV: Broadway Beat Goes Inside THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Opening Night
by Broadway Beat - 2011-01-19 13:41:25
STAGE TUBE: Roundabout Staff Discusses The Importance of Being Earnest
by Gabrielle Sierra - 2010-12-28 14:29:50
STAGE TUBE: Brian Bedford Talks THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
by Jessica Lewis - 2010-12-16 14:07:28
News
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 18, 2026
You Might Know Her From, the acclaimed podcast hosted by Anne Rodeman and Damian Bellino, will record its first-ever live episode on February 28th at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in New York City.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 12, 2026
Oscar Wilde's beloved comedy, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, is now available for streaming, offering audiences a chance to enjoy this classic play from home.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2025
New York Stage and Film's 40th Anniversary Gala, commemorating 40 years of developing new works and a reunion of acclaimed artists at SAF, will honor Board Member Douglas Harmon and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 14, 2025
Tony Award nominee Jordan Donica and Jessica Vosk will perform at The Acting Company's “What Dreams May Come” Gala. Learn more about the upcoming gala and see how to purchase tickets.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 24, 2025
The Acting Company will present “From Great Expectations, What Dreams May Come” honoring Bartlett Sher and Timothy A. Wilkins. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
by Bruce Glikas - Dec 18, 2024
Eureka Day by Jonathan Spector, directed by Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro, is now officially open on Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there at opening night and you can check out photos from the red carpet here!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 22, 2024
Producers announced an industry reading of the new musical in development WATCHER IN THE WOODS. Check out all of the details on who will star and who leads the creative team here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024
On May 17th BAM will present IRONWEED: An Evening of Art & Humanity, based on William Kennedy’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024
Tony Award winner Julie White will host The Acting Company’s “Fantastic Journeys” Gala honoring Stephen McKinley Henderson. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Apr 14, 2024
This time, the reader question was: How often are people Tony Award-nominated for different shows in the same season?
by Stephi Wild - Feb 12, 2024
The Acting Company has announced that Stephen McKinley Henderson will receive the John Houseman Award Honor, and William H. Wright II will receive the Joan M. Warburg Award Honor, as part of The Acting Company’s “Fantastic Journeys” Gala.
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 31, 2023
Producer Douglas Thompson announced development of the musical WATCHER IN THE WOODS, based on the 1976 novel by Florence Engel Randall, with music by Johanna Telander, book & lyrics by Douglas Thompson, and directed by Saki Kawamura.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 5, 2023
Producer Laura Elrick is thrilled to announce that acclaimed Meisner Teacher and Director Steven Ditmyer will be directing Al Tapper's Bettinger's Luggage, scheduled to open September 19th, 2023 at AMT Theater.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 1, 2023
See photos from The Acting Company's gala featuring Ezra Knight as the host!
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 26, 2023
Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of Summer, 1976, opened last night at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the big night here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 6, 2023
Ezra Knight will host The Acting Company’s annual Reimagined Renaissance Gala, featuring a performance by Sara Bareilles. See how to purchase tickets!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 9, 2023
Rainn Wilson will receive the Joan M. Warburg Award Honor and that Dakin Matthews will receive the John Houseman Award Honor, as part of The Acting Company’s annual Reimagined Renaissance Gala on April 24, 2023 at Capitale.
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 20, 2022
Irish Repertory Theatre just celebrated opening night of the New York Premiere of Chester Bailey by Emmy Award winner Joseph Dougherty ('thirtysomething,' My Favorite Year) and directed by Emmy Award nominee Ron Lagomarsino (Digby, 'Homefront'). Starring real-life father and son, Tony Award winner Reed Birney and Ephraim Birney, Chester Bailey will run through November 13, 2022. Check out photos from opening night!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 13, 2022
Red Bull Theater today announced that André De Shields will be honored with the Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater at REVELRY, its benefit event on Monday June 13th at 6pm.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 17, 2021
Florida Repertory Theatre’s 2021-2022 Season continues with Alfred Uhry’s modern classic, “Driving Miss Daisy.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a timeless story about the power of friendship and the endurance of human connection.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Dana Ivey has appeared on Broadway in 17 shows.
Dana Ivey has not appeared in the West End.
Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Butley, Performance (Obie Awards) for Mrs. Warren's Profession, Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Rivals, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Major Barbara , Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Last Night of Ballyhoo , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Sex and Longing, Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Wencelas Square, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Driving Miss Daisy, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Wenceslas Square, Performance (Obie Awards) for Driving Miss Daisy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Heartbreak House and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Present Laughter & Quartermaine's Terms.
Dana Ivey has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Performance Obie Award for Mrs. Warren's Profession and another Performance Obie Award for Driving Miss Daisy. She was honored with the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for The Last Night of Ballyhoo. Additionally, Dana Ivey won the Best Actress in a Play award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards twice: once for Driving Miss Daisy and again for Wenceslas Square.
Videos