Judith Light Headshot

Judith Light

Birth Place: Trenton, NJ, USA

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Judith Light BIO

Judith Light is known for her extensive body of television, film, and stage work. in 2019 she starred in the musical finale of Transparent, Amazon Prime’s Golden Globe–winning series, created by Jill Soloway, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination and multiple Emmy and Critics’ Choice nominations as well as in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series The Politician with Bette Midler and Ben Platt. Last year, her role in Ryan Murphy’s FX series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story garnered her an Emmy nomination and a Critics Choice nomination.

In 2021, Light played Rosa Stevens in the biographical musical drama film Tick, Tick... Boom! directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda. She later starred in the comedy-thriller The Menu. She also was cast in the comedy-drama Down Low, and comedy-drama The Young Wife starring Kiersey Clemons. On television, Light played Courteney Cox's mother in the Starz horror comedy series Shining Vale, and Blanche Knopf in the HBO Max series Julia, both which premiered in 2022.

Light stars with Alec Baldwin and Mandy Patinkin in Before You Know It which premiered at Sundance and was picked up by distributor 1091; as well as Ms. White Light, that premiered at SXSW; and Lifetime’s Nellie Bly with Christina Ricci. Upcoming, Light can be seen in film Hot Air with Steve Coogan.

In 2017, Light she starred in God Looked Away with Al Pacino at the Pasadena Playhouse. In 2016, the play, All the Ways to Say I Love You (MCC) garnered her a Drama League Award nomination. For the Broadway production of Thérèse Raquin with Kiera Knightly, Light won an Outer Critics Circle Award.

In 2012 and 2013, Light won two consecutive Tony and Drama Desk awards for her performances in Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties; these two performances dubbed her the first actress in nearly two decades to win consecutive Tonys.

For the Pulitzer Prize winning play at MCC Theatre, Wit, she was awarded the Helen Hayes and Eliot Norton awards. In 2011, Light received a Tony nomination for her role as Marie Lombardi in Lombardi, directed by Thomas Kail.

Light starred in and produced the film, Save Me, written by husband Robert Desiderio which premiered at Sundance in 2007. The year before, Light could be seen in the indie film Ira and Abby. Selected TV includes: “Ugly Betty” (Emmy Nomination), “Law and Order, SVU”, “Dallas”, “Who’s the Boss”, “One Life to Live” (Two consecutive Emmys).

Judith Light Photos

Judith Light STAGE CREDITS

[Los Angeles]
Pasadena Playhouse Original Production, 2017
Estelle

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Production, 2016
Faye

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2015
Madame Raquin

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theater Club Production, 2013
Faye

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 2011
Silda Grauman

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2010
Marie Lombardi

[Off-Broadway]
2005
Myra

[Los Angeles]
Reprise! Concert, 2004
Joanne

[Off-Broadway]
2002
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1998
Vivian Bearing [Replacement]

[Broadway]
1976
Julie Herzl

[Off-Broadway]
1976
Francisca

Isabella (Understudy)

[Broadway]
1975
Helene

[Regional (US)]
World Premiere, 1973
Performer


Judith Light Movies

A Step Toward Tomorrow
[ 1996 ] Anna Lerner
Ira & Abby
[ 2006 ] Arlene Black
A Broken Sole
[ 2006 ] Hilary
Save Me
[ 2007 ] Gayle
Rhymes with Banana
[ 2012 ] Judith Light
Scrooge & Marley
[ 2012 ] Narrator
We'll Never Have Paris
[ 2014 ] Jean
Last Weekend
[ 2014 ] Veronika Goss
Digging for Fire
[ 2015 ] Grandma
Hot Air
[ 2018 ] Judith
Before You Know It
[ 2019 ] Sherrell Ghearhardt
Ms. White Light
[ 2019 ] Val
tick, tick... BOOM!
[ 2021 ] Rosa Stevens
The Same Storm
[ 2021 ] Shirlee Salt
The Menu
[ 2022 ] Anne
Down Low
[ 2023 ] Sandy

Judith Light TV Shows

American Crime Story
Susan Carpenter-McMillan, Marilyn Miglin
Dallas
Judith Ryland
Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man
Ursula Bacon 'Honey' Chicken, Automated Message
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Judge Elizabeth Donnelly, Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly
One Life to Live
Karen Wolek
Phenom
Dianne Doolan
Queen America
Regina
The Exes
Marjorie
The Politician
Dede Standish
Transparent
Shelly Pfefferman
Twenty Good Years
Gina
Ugly Betty
Claire Meade
Who's the Boss?
Angela Bower

Judith Light Awards and Nominations


winner
Tony Awards - 2019 - Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

Judith Light

Drama League Awards - 2017 - Distinguished Performance Award

Judith Light, All the Ways to Say I Love You

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2017 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Judith Light, All the Ways to Say I Love You

Drama League Awards - 2016 - Distinguished Performance Award

Judith Light, Therese Raquin


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2016 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Light, Therese Raquin


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2013 - Best Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Light, The Assembled Parties

Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Light, The Assembled Parties

Drama League Awards - 2013 - Distinguished Performance Award

Judith Light, The Assembled Parties

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

Judith Light, The Assembled Parties

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

Judith Light, The Assembled Parties


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Light, Other Desert Cities

Drama League Awards - 2012 - Distinguished Performance Award

Judith Light, Other Desert Cities

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2012 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Light, Other Desert Cities


winner
Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Judith Light, Other Desert Cities


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2011 - Best Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Light, Lombardi

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Judith Light, Lombardi

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Judith Light, Lombardi

Tony Awards - 2011 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Judith Light, Lombardi

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play

Judith LightHedda Gabler


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Judith LightWit


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Judith LightWit

Judith Light Videos

Judith Light News


Mark Ruffalo and Jessica Hecht to Star in IRONWEED at BAM


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.

Dan Lauria and Patty McCormack Will Lead the Off Broadway Premiere of JUST ANOTHER DAY at Theater555


Coming next month is the off-Broadway premiere of Just Another Day, a play by Dan Lauria about wonderful old friends who may not even know each other, but who relive and celebrate a life together…maybe. A limited engagement (through June 30), previews begin on Friday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. with an official opening on Sunday, May 12 at 2:00 p.m. at off-Broadway's Theater555.

Laverne Cox and Jessica Hecht to Join Shakespeare Theatre Company Gala


Shakespeare Theatre Company has added presenters Laverne Cox and Jessica Hecht to its lineup for the Company’s annual fund-raising Gala. See who else is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

Audible Theater's DEAD OUTLAW Extends Through April 14


Audible Inc. has announced a one-week extension for the Off-Broadway world-premiere musical Dead Outlaw at Minetta Lane Theatre.

The Public Theater to Present Gala Honoring HELL'S KITCHEN


The Public’s Annual Gala will take place on Wednesday, May 8 with a special performance of HELL’S KITCHEN on Broadway. Learn more about the gala!

Judith Light to be Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award at Shakespeare Theatre Company Gala


Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Judith Light has joined Shakespeare Theatre Company's star-studded line-up and honorees to be celebrated at its annual Gala on April 15, 2024.

Industry Reading Of ONE DAY DOWN Comes To The Dramatists Guild Foundation This Month


Morgan Hogenmiller, Maraika Lumholdt, and Katy Zapanta will present an invite-only industry reading of One Day Down by Samantha Toy Ozeas.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 2, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 2, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Photos: Bradley Cooper, Pedro Pascal & Judith Light Visit Sarah Paulson at APPROPRIATE


The special guests keep on coming to the Hayes Theatre! The company of Appropriate recently welcomed (and posed backstage with) Bradley Cooper, Pedro Pascal and Judith Light. Check out photos here!

THE WHOLE OF TIME, Argentinian Play Inspired by THE GLASS MENAGERIE, Extends Run at Torn Page


Joben Productions has extended the U.S. premiere of The Whole of Time by celebrated Argentinian playwright Romina Paula in a translation by Jean Graham-Jones to February 11. 

LAURA BENANTI: NOBODY CARES to Begin Performances at Audible's Minetta Lane Theatre in February


Audible Inc. will present Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares, a three-night-only comedy show starring Tony Award winner Laura Benanti, featuring all original music co-written with Todd Almond live at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre. See performances dates and learn how to purchase tickets!

Norah Jones and yMusic to Join Punch Brothers' ENERGY CURFEW MUSIC HOUR at Audible Theater This Week


Norah Jones and yMusic(Alex Sopp, flute; Mark Dover, clarinet; CJ Camerieri, trumpet; Rob Moose, violin; Nadia Sirota, viola; and Andrew Janss, cello) will appear as special guest artists this Wednesday, January 10 at The Energy Curfew Music Hour.

Judith Light Wins Peacock Their First Primetime Emmy For POKER FACE


Peacock won its first-ever Primetime Emmy Award tonight with Judith Light winning Outstanding Guest Actress In A Comedy Series for her role as Irene Smothers in POKER FACE's “Time of the Monkey.” The award was presented at tonight's Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony, and this is Light's first-ever Primetime Emmy Award win.

SNL's Darrell Hammond to Bring Solo Show CRAY to Audible's Minetta Lane Theatre


Audible Theater will present CRAY, starring SNL's Darrell Hammond. Get all the details on this exciting new production featuring the talented comedian.

CENTER OF THE YOUNIVERSE & More Set for Audible Theater December Audio Slate


Audible Theater has revealed its December audio slate, featuring five new originals.

Judith Light Joins Billy Crystal's Apple TV+ Series BEFORE


Judith Light is joining Billy Crystal in the cast of his upcoming Apple TV+ series, Before. Adam Bernstein will be directing the pilot episode from Paramount TV Studios. Written by Sarah Thorp, Before is a psychological thriller about a child psychiatrist, Eli (Crystal), who recently lost his wife, Lynn (Light).

THE WHOLE OF TIME, Inspired By The Glass Menagerie, to be Staged In Townhouse in December


Discover the U.S. premiere of 'THE WHOLE OF TIME' by Romina Paula, inspired by 'The Glass Menagerie' and staged in a private townhouse for 22 people. Dec 28 - Jan 27.

Audible Theater Adds Three New Live Shows for THE ENERGY CURFEW MUSIC HOUR with Punch Brothers


Audible Inc. will present three additional live performance dates for The Energy Curfew Music Hour, featuring the Grammy Award-winning band Punch Brothers, at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre.

Photos: Inside the 2023 Manhattan Theatre Club Fall Benefit With Christine Baranski, Nathan Lane, Sarah Jessica Parker, and More!


Manhattan Theatre Club hosted its 2023 Fall Benefit on Monday, November 13. The evening began at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) with an advance screening of the new film ALL ARTS Docs: Manhattan Theatre Club, a Home for Artists ahead of its November 21 premiere on ALL ARTS.

2011 Tony Nominations Announced! THE BOOK OF MORMON Leads With 14!


Past Tony winners Anika Noni Rose and Matthew Broderick announced the 2011 Tony Awards nominees live from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City.

Judith Light FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Judith Light been in?

Judith Light has appeared on Broadway in 6 shows.

How many West End shows has Judith Light been in?

Judith Light has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Judith Light been nominated for?

Judith Light has been nominated for various awards, including the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award (Tony Awards), Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for "All the Ways to Say I Love You," Outstanding Solo Performance (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for the same production, and Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for "Therese Raquin." She also received nominations for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "Therese Raquin," Best Featured Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for "The Assembled Parties," and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for the same show. Additionally, she was nominated for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for "The Assembled Parties," Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for the same production, and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Other Desert Cities." Light also received nominations for Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for "Other Desert Cities," Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for the same show, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for "Other Desert Cities." Furthermore, she was nominated for Best Featured Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for "Lombardi," Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for "Lombardi," and Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for the same production. Light also received nominations for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for "Lombardi," Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Play (Helen Hayes Awards) for "Hedda Gabler," and Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for "Wit."

What awards has Judith Light won?

Judith Light has won the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award at the Tony Awards, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Therese Raquin," Best Featured Actress in a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "The Assembled Parties," Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Other Desert Cities," Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Other Desert Cities," Best Featured Actress in a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards for "Lombardi," Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Wit," and another Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Wit."

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