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Judith Ivey Headshot

Judith Ivey

Birth Place: El Paso, TX, USA

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BIO

Judith Lee Ivey (born September 4, 1951) is an American actress and theatre director. She twice won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play: for Steaming (1981) and Hurlyburly (1984). She also received Best Actress In A Play nomination for Park Your Car in Harvard Yard (1992) and another Best Featured Actress in a Play nomination for The Heiress.



Ivey made her big screen debut playing the female lead role in the 1984 romantic comedy film, The Lonely Guy. She later appeared in the comedy films The Woman in Red (1984), Compromising Positions (1985), Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986), Sister, Sister (1987), and the drama films The Devil's Advocate (1997) and Women Talking (2022), for which she received critical acclaim. On television, Ivey played the leading role in the NBC sitcom Down Home (1990-91), and played Bonnie Jean "BJ" Poteet during the final season of CBS sitcom Designing Women (1992-93). For her role in the television film What the Deaf Man Heard (1997), she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Greater Clements Greater Clements
[Off-Broadway]
Lincoln Center Off-Broadway World Premiere, 2019
Performer
Out of the Mouths of Babes Out of the Mouths of Babes
[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Evvie
The Audience The Audience
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Margaret Thatcher
The Heiress The Heiress
[Broadway]
2012
Aunt Penniman
The Glass Menagerie The Glass Menagerie
[Off-Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2010
Amanda Wingfield
Follies
[Broadway]
Roundabout Revival, 2001
Sally Durant Plummer
The Vagina Monologues
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 1999
Performer [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Voices in the Dark
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1999
Lil
Park Your Car in Harvard Yard
[Broadway]
1991
Kathleen Hogan
Blithe Spirit
[Broadway]
1987
Ruth
Precious Sons
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1986
Bea
Hurlyburly
[Broadway]
1984
Bonnie
Steaming
[Broadway]
1982
Josie
Piaf
[Broadway]
Broadway Production, 1981
Madeleine
Piaf (Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe)
(St. Louis, MO (Regional))
(Standby)
Bedroom Farce
[Broadway]
1979
Kate [Replacement]
[Replacement]
(Understudy)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)

Productions

Vanities
 
[Off-Broadway, 2009]
Director
Secrets of a Soccer Mom
 
[Off-Broadway, 2008]
Director
The Butcher of Baraboo
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
Fugue
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director
Southern Comforts
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
Yeardley Smith: More
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Director

Movies

The Woman in Red
[ 1984 ] Didi
The Lonely Guy
[ 1984 ] Iris
Harry & Son
[ 1984 ] Sally
Compromising Positions
[ 1985 ] Nancy Miller
Brighton Beach Memoirs
[ 1986 ] Blanche
Sister, Sister
[ 1987 ] Charlotte Bonnard
Hello Again
[ 1987 ] Zelda
Miles from Home
[ 1988 ] Frances
In Country
[ 1989 ] Anita
Everybody Wins
[ 1990 ] Connie
Love Hurts
[ 1990 ] Susan Volcheck
There Goes the Neighborhood
[ 1992 ] Peedi Rutledge
Washington Square
[ 1997 ] Aunt Elizabeth Almond
A Life Less Ordinary
[ 1997 ] Celine's Mom
The Devil's Advocate
[ 1997 ] Mrs. Alice Lomax
Without Limits
[ 1998 ] Barbara Bowerman
Mystery, Alaska
[ 1999 ] Joanne Burns
The Stand-in
[ 1999 ] Mrs. Rosensweig
What Alice Found
[ 2003 ] Sandra
Flags of Our Fathers
[ 2006 ] Belle Block
A Bird of the Air
[ 2011 ] Eleanor Reeves
Big Stone Gap
[ 2014 ] Nan MacChesney
Cortez
[ 2017 ] Sandy
Through the Glass Darkly
[ 2020 ] Mama Carmichael
Women Talking
[ 2022 ] Agata

TV Shows

Designing Women
B.J. Poteet
Down Home
Kate McCrorey
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Alice Parker, Jenny's Attorney
The 5 Mrs. Buchanans
Alexandria 'Alex' Buchanan
The Critic
Eleanor Sherman
Sweet Magnolias
[ 2020-2025 ] Bonnie Townsend

Awards and Nominations


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Judith Ivey, Greater Clements

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Judith Ivey, The Heiress

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Ivey, The Heiress

Tony Awards - 2013 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Judith Ivey, The Heiress

Drama Desk Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Judith Ivey, The Lady With All the Answers

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Judith Ivey , The Lady With All the Answers


winner
The Lortels - 2010 - Outstanding Lead Actress

Judith Ivey, The Glass Menagerie

Helen Hayes Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Judith IveyThe Subject Was Roses

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1996 - Best Actress - Play

Judith Ivey, A Fair Country

Tony Awards - 1992 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Judith Ivey, Park Your Car in Harvard Yard


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1985 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Ivey, Hurlyburly


winner
Tony Awards - 1985 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Judith Ivey, Hurlyburly


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1983 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Ivey, Steaming


winner
Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Judith Ivey, Steaming

Tony Awards - 1983 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Judith Ivey, Steaming

Videos

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News


Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Donna McKechnie to be Honored at Gingold Theatrical Photo
Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Donna McKechnie to be Honored at Gingold Theatrical Group Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 6, 2025

Gingold Theatrical Group will host a one-night-only gala fundraiser, which will honor Tony Award winner Danny Burstein, Gray Coleman, and Tony Award winner Donna McKechnie with the Golden Shamrock Award. 
A Complete Guide to the Plays of Samuel D. Hunter Photo
A Complete Guide to the Plays of Samuel D. Hunter
by Sidney Paterra - Nov 2, 2025

Samuel D. Hunter’s plays have quietly shaped contemporary American drama. Known for their compassionate look at working-class lives in his native Idaho, Hunter’s works explore faith, loneliness, community, and redemption with remarkable empathy. Hunter (finally) just made his Broadway debut in 2025 with Little Bear Ridge Road, now running at the Booth Theatre.
Garry Marshall Theatre To Celebrate 50 Years Of LAVERNE & SHIRLEY And Honor Yeardley Photo
Garry Marshall Theatre To Celebrate 50 Years Of LAVERNE & SHIRLEY And Honor Yeardley Smith
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 3, 2025

The Garry Marshall Theatre (GMT), in partnership with producer Bob Boyett, will host its annual fundraiser on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at Verse LA, a modern-day supper club in Los Angeles.
Theatre Aspen Reveals Recipients of the 2025 Solo Flights Festival Grants Photo
Theatre Aspen Reveals Recipients of the 2025 Solo Flights Festival Grants
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 18, 2025

Theatre Aspen has revealed the two grant recipients from the 2025 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund. Learn more about the recipients and about the Fund here!
Pasadena Playhouse Unveils Expansion of Educational Offerings Photo
Pasadena Playhouse Unveils Expansion of Educational Offerings
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 9, 2025

Pasadena Playhouse has revealed the largest and broadest slate of community classes for all ages after the historic purchase of the Pasadena Playhouse campus. Learn more!
JANE EYRE WASN'T A WHORE Comes To Edinburgh Fringe Festival Photo
JANE EYRE WASN'T A WHORE Comes To Edinburgh Fringe Festival
by Stephi Wild - Jul 7, 2025

JANE EYRE WASN'T A WHORE is set to make its World Premiere at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The solo show, written and performed by Carly Polistina and directed by Alexandra Brokowski, will be running in August.
Previews: PALM SPRINGS YOUNG PLAYWRIGHT'S FESTIVAL at Palm Springs Cultural Center Photo
Previews: PALM SPRINGS YOUNG PLAYWRIGHT'S FESTIVAL at Palm Springs Cultural Center
by Kay Kudukis - Jun 3, 2025

Casting is everything,” said legendary director Martin Scorsese. “If you get the right people, they make you look good as a director.”  That philosophy is on full display at this year’s Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival, where two outstanding student-written plays will be brought to life by an all-star lineup of actors and directors from stage and screen.
Westport Country Playhouse Will Perform Script in Hand Playreading of THE SHARK IS BR Photo
Westport Country Playhouse Will Perform Script in Hand Playreading of THE SHARK IS BROKEN
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2025

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of “The Shark Is Broken,” based on true events during the making of the film “Jaws.'
Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival Reveals 2025 Winners Photo
Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival Reveals 2025 Winners
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2025

The Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival (PSYPF) has announced the two winning playwrights for its 2025 season. Learn more about the winners and their productions here!
Westport Country Playhouse to Present STILL Script in Hand Playreading Photo
Westport Country Playhouse to Present STILL Script in Hand Playreading
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 29, 2025

Westport Country Playhouse will present a Script in Hand playreading of “Still,” a romantic story of two reunited lovers. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Westport Country Playhouse Stages Romantic Comedy THEATRE PEOPLE Photo
Westport Country Playhouse Stages Romantic Comedy THEATRE PEOPLE
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 6, 2025

Westport Country Playhouse will stage the romantic comedy, “Theatre People,” from March 25 through April 12. Filled with romance, misunderstandings, and surprises, the plot focuses on a married playwright couple who are trying to concoct a surefire Broadway hit but create as much drama among themselves as on paper.
Submissions Open for Theatre Aspen's Sixth Annual SOLO FLIGHTS Festival Photo
Submissions Open for Theatre Aspen's Sixth Annual SOLO FLIGHTS Festival
by Joshua Wright - Jan 27, 2025

Theatre Aspen is now accepting submissions through Friday, April 11 for the organization's sixth annual one-person show festival, Solo Flights, to be held from September 2-9, 2025, at Theatre Aspen's Hurst Theatre.
Photo Special: Celebrating BC/EFA Executive Director Tom Viola Photo
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. 
A SHERLOCK CAROL Comes to Westport Country Playhouse Photo
A SHERLOCK CAROL Comes to Westport Country Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Dec 4, 2024

Westport Country Playhouse will stage “A Sherlock Carol,” a family-friendly holiday production based on two classic tales, “The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle,” a classic Sherlock Holmes story, and “A Christmas Carol.'
En Garde Arts to Honor Emily Mann at 2024 Annual Benefit Photo
En Garde Arts to Honor Emily Mann at 2024 Annual Benefit
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 15, 2024

En Garde Arts will honor esteemed multi-award-winning director and playwright Emily Mann at its 2024 Annual Benefit. Learn more about the honoree and the event, and see how to purchase tickets.
Westport Country Playhouse Opens 2024-25 Season with THE 39 STEPS Photo
Westport Country Playhouse Opens 2024-25 Season with THE 39 STEPS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 28, 2024

Westport Country Playhouse will open its 2024-25 Season with “The 39 Steps,” a fast-paced frenzy of espionage and murderous mayhem based on Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 classic film, with a dash of Monty Python's zany humor, running from October 22 through November 9.
Westport Country Playhouse Opens 2024-25 Season With THE 39 STEPS Photo
Westport Country Playhouse Opens 2024-25 Season With THE 39 STEPS
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 18, 2024

Westport Country Playhouse announced its 2024-25 season opener with THE 39 STEPS, running from October 22 to November 9.
FROM KABUL WITH LOVE & More Receive Theatre Aspen 2024 Solo Flights Project Advanceme Photo
FROM KABUL WITH LOVE & More Receive Theatre Aspen 2024 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund Grant
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2024

Theatre Aspen has revealed two grant recipients of the 2024 Solo Flights Project Advancement Fund. Learn more about the Fund and about the projects.
THE 39 STEPS to Open Westport Country Playhouse 2024-25 Season Photo
THE 39 STEPS to Open Westport Country Playhouse 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 2, 2024

Westport Country Playhouse has revealed its 2024-25 season opener, THE 39 STEPS, a comedic adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's classic film. The production promises a blend of suspense and humor for theatergoers. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Photos: Gingold Theatrical Group Gala Honors Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty Photo
Photos: Gingold Theatrical Group Gala Honors Lynn Ahrens and Steven Flaherty
by Genevieve Rafter Keddy - Sep 25, 2024

Gingold Theatrical Group recently held its 2024 Golden Shamrock Gala. The evening honored Broadway composing team Lynn Ahrens & Stephen Flaherty with the Golden Shamrock Award for their tireless work as supporters of human rights and their artistic excellence in musical theater writing. Check out photos from inside the event here!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Judith Ivey been in?

Judith Ivey has appeared on Broadway in 11 shows.

How many West End shows has Judith Ivey been in?

Judith Ivey has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Judith Ivey been nominated for?

Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Greater Clements, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Heiress, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Heiress, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Heiress, Outstanding Solo Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for The Lady With All the Answers, Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Lady With All the Answers, Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for The Glass Menagerie, Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for The Subject Was Roses, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Fair Country, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Park Your Car in Harvard Yard, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Hurlyburly, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Hurlyburly, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Steaming, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Steaming and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Steaming.

What awards has Judith Ivey won?

Judith Ivey has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Outstanding Actress in a Play award from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Greater Clements. She earned the Outstanding Lead Actress award from The Lortels for The Glass Menagerie. Additionally, she won the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards twice, once for Hurlyburly and again for Steaming. She also won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for both Hurlyburly and Steaming.

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