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Donna Lynne Champlin

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BIO

Champlin took on the title role of Very Warm for May, her Broadway debut in James Joyce's The Dead, then By Jeeves, Hollywood Arms, Sweeney Todd, Billy Elliot the Musical, and The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, for which she won the 2007 Obie Award. Other credits include: No, No Nanette, Very Good Eddie, First Lady Suite, Harold and Maude, My Life with Albertine, Bloomer Girl, and Jolson. She also performed with Len Cariou in the Simply Sondheim inaugural concert which celebrated the opening of the Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts.



Champlin's awards include the 2019 Gracie Award for Best Supporting Actress, 2013 Drama Desk Award, 2007 OBIE award, the Princess Grace Award, the title of National Tap Dance Champion four consecutive times, and she has received grants from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, The Anna Sosenko Trust, Princess Grace Foundation, and has received The Charlie Willard Memorial Grant.

Champlin's film and television credits include The Dark Half, the 2000 and 2006 Annual Tony Awards, The View, Law & Order, The Good Wife, The Good Fight, The Good Doctor, and Live with Regis and Kelly. From 2015 to 2019, she starred in the role of Paula Proctor in The CW comedy-drama series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend., Hortense in Another Period and Barb in Netflix's Feel the Beat. In 2022, she appeared in the Showtime series The First Lady.

Champlin released a solo album entitled Old Friends, performs a one-woman show entitled Finishing the Hat, and teaches acting at the Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Hartford, and New York University. She spends her downtime writing, raising money for JDRF, BCEFA, The Actors Fund, and lives with her family in NYC.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Transport Group Concert Production, 2018
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
2016 Shakespeare in the Park Production, 2016


[Off-Broadway]
Transport Group Revival, 2014


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2008
Ensemble [Replacement]

"Expressing Yourself" Dancer [Replacement]

Lesley [Replacement]

Dead Mum [Replacement]

Ensemble [Replacement]

"Expressing Yourself" Dancer [Replacement]

Lesley [Replacement]

Dead Mum [Replacement]

[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2008
Performer


[Chester, CT (Regional)]
World Premiere, 2006
Ann Mitchell


[New York]
New York Musical Theatre Festival Production, 2006
Gracie


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
Pirelli


[Chester, CT (Regional)]
Goodspeed Production, 2005
Gracie


[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 2005
Maria/Mourner/Nancy Mersch/Motorist #2/Sunshine/Moving Man #2


[Off-Off-Broadway]
Off-Off-Broadway Revival, 2004
Mary Gallagher


[New York]
Reading, 2003
Performer


[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2003
Grandmother/Francoise


[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Older Helen


[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2001
Honoria Glossop


[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert, 2001
Daisy


[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2000
Mary Jane Morkan [Replacement]

[Replacement]

Miss Molly Ivors (Understudy)

Mary Jane Morkan (Understudy)

(Unknown)

Miss Molly Ivors (Unknown)

Mary Jane Morkan (Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

Miss Molly Ivors (Unknown)

(Unknown)

(Unknown)

Mary Jane Morkan (Unknown)

Miss Molly Ivors (Unknown)

(Unknown)

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer


Movies

My Secret Billionaire
[ 2011 ] Sandra
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
[ 2014 ] Broadway Lady
Downsizing
[ 2017 ] Leisureland Administrator
Yes, God, Yes
[ 2019 ] Mrs. Veda
Feel the Beat
[ 2020 ] Miss Barb

TV Shows

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Paula Proctor
Law & Order
Sergeant Angelyne Robinson
Submissions Only
Kim Gifford
Selected Shorts
Performer
The Perfect Couple
Nikki Henry
Batman: Caped Crusader
Leslie Thompkins
Selected Shorts
Performer
The Perfect Couple
Nikki Henry
Batman: Caped Crusader
Leslie Thompkins

Awards and Nominations


winner
Obie Awards - 2007 - Performance

Donna Lynne Champlin The Dark at the Top of the Stairs


winner
Obie Awards - 2007 - Performance

Donna Lynne ChamplinThe Dark at the Top of the Stairs

Videos

News


SCHMIGADOON! Musical Gets NYC Reading
by Nicole Rosky - May 22, 2025

BroadwayWorld has just learned that Broadway Video and No Guarantees Productions are presenting a New York City reading of Schmigadoon! We have all of the details here!.
Photos: ELSBETH Season Finale Photos Reveal CHICAGO Musical Number, Returning Guest Stars
by Josh Sharpe - May 5, 2025

Ahead of its airing this Thursday, CBS has shared first-look photos of the Season 2 finale of Elsbeth, which reveal a special musical number: Chicago's iconic 'Cell Block Tango.' Take a look at the photos here!
Nichelle Lewis and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 14, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including The Wiz's Nichelle Lewis, and many more. See the full lineup! 
Interview: Charles Kirsch Celebrates Iconic Broadway Flops at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 5, 2025

The star-studded 2/19 show (also being live-streamed) shines a spotlight on gems from that musicals that never made it, introduced and sung by members of the original casts of the shows they came from.
See Joaquina Kalukango, Kerry Ellis & More in February at 54 Below
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 31, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. See the full lineup featuring stars including Joaquina Kalukango, Kerry Ellis and more. Learn more.
YoungArts Announces The 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars In The Arts Nominees
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 31, 2025

YoungArts has announced the nominees for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students who exemplify artistic and academic excellence.
Backstage Babble: Beyond the Walls of Joe Allen Restaurant Comes to 54 Below
by Stephi Wild - Jan 14, 2025

54 Below will present a special edition of Backstage Babble Live celebrating under-appreciated musicals, including those on the iconic “flop wall” at Joe Allen Restaurant.
Review: THE RANDY ANDYS HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR at The Green Room 42 Offers Cheer
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 23, 2024

There was plenty of old-fashioned fun at the Randy Andy’s Holiday Spectacular. The trio’s 12/19 show featured plenty of special guests, song, dance and enough laughter and holiday cheer to keep you warm all through New Year’s.
Photo Special: Celebrating BC/EFA Executive Director Tom Viola
by Robert Diamond - Dec 16, 2024

All of us here at BroadwayWorld wanted to pay tribute to Tom, and to our strong partnership, by taking a look back with this photo gallery below. 
Interview: THE RANDY ANDYS Spread Holiday Cheer at Green Room 42
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 12, 2024

The Randy Andys are 'The Andrews Sisters gone modern.' Their HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR show is old-fashioned fun with a modern twist. We spoke to the group's founder Alison Mahoney about the 12/19 show
Caitlin Houlahan, Nik Walker And More To Lead ALICE IN NEVERLAND Industry Reading
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 12, 2024

The new musical Alice in Neverland will host an industry reading at New 42 Studios on  Thursday, December 12, 2024, in New York City.
Feature: Celebrate the Holidays With 7 Cabaret Shows in NYC
by Rebecca Kaplan - Dec 9, 2024

Need a holiday pick-me-up? Looking for something fun to do with family in town? Look no further than these 7 cabaret shows in NYC - all with tickets still available. From Melissa Errico to jazz and original holiday songs, this list has it all!
Donna Lynne Champlin Joins The Randy Andys Holiday Spectacular at Green Room 42
by Stephi Wild - Dec 2, 2024

Donna Lynne Champlin, Broadway veteran, OBIE, Drama Desk, Princess Grace and Gracie Award Winner, will be joining The Randy Andys Holiday Spectacular!
Broadway on Bluesky: A Guide to the Growing Social Media Platform
by Michael Major - Nov 18, 2024

As social media users flock to Bluesky for a Twitter/X alternative, find out more about how you can create a perfectly Broadway-themed algorithm. Find out how to create an account, which Broadway stars to follow on Bluesky, and more!
Deborah Grace Winer Releases FLASH FORCE! Podcast Featuring Broadway Alums
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 27, 2024

Deborah Grace Winer has recently released the first two episodes of her new scripted comedy podcast, which features an array of Broadway performers. FLASH FORCE! Middle-Aged Women Superheroes Save Democracy is available to stream on all platforms.
Katrina Lenk, Amber Gray, Aisha De Haas & More to Star in Second Annual FREEFEST
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2024

The New Group has revealed the casts for its second annual FreeFest, featuring a diverse lineup of performances and events. Learn more about the programming and see how to purchase tickets.
Freestyle Love Supreme, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and John Lloyd Young Will Headline Transport Group Gala
by Stephi Wild - Apr 5, 2024

Transport Group has announced performers for its 2024 gala will include Tony Award winners Freestyle Love Supreme, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and John Lloyd Young.  
BWW Q&A: Rob Fisher on SWEENEY TODD at Virginia Arts Festival
by Joshua Wright - Mar 26, 2024

Virginia Arts Festival has cast one of Broadway’s leading lights in the role of a new, key position at the Festival: The Goode Family Artistic Advisor for Musical Theater and American Songbook.
Donna Lynne Champlin & More to Star in SWEENEY TODD at Virginia Arts Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 13, 2024

Virginia Arts Festival will present Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning musical Sweeney Todd in an orchestral performance. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Transport Group 2024 Gala Will Honor Jennifer Costello and Jan Svendsen Weiss This April
by Stephi Wild - Feb 28, 2024

Transport Group has announced that its 2024 gala will honor Broadway producer Jennifer Costello and Activate4Good founder Jan Svendsen Weiss with its Transporting American Theatre Award on Tuesday, April 30, at The Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47 Street.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Donna Lynne Champlin been in?

Donna Lynne Champlin has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has Donna Lynne Champlin been in?

Donna Lynne Champlin has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Donna Lynne Champlin been nominated for?

Performance (Obie Awards) for The Dark at the Top of the Stairs and Performance (Obie Awards) for The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

What awards has Donna Lynne Champlin won?

Donna Lynne Champlin has won the Obie Award for Performance for her work in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

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