Audra McDonald
Birth Place: Berlin, GERMANY
Reeve Carney, Alex Newell and More to Join THE FESTIVAL (Mar 3, 2026)
Elizabeth Marvel, Andrew Burnap, & More Join THE GILDED AGE Season 4 (Mar 3, 2026)
Audra McDonald and More Lead National Theatre at Home's New Streaming Productions (Mar 3, 2026)
BIO
Audra McDonald is unparalleled in the breadth and versatility of her artistry as both a singer and an actor. The winner of a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy, in 2015 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people and received a National Medal of Arts—America’s highest honor for achievement in the field—from President Barack Obama. In addition to her Tony-winning performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, A Raisin in the Sun, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill—the role that also served as the vehicle for her Olivier Award-nominated 2017 debut in London’s West End—she has appeared on Broadway in The Secret Garden; Marie Christine (Tony nomination); Henry IV; 110 in the Shade (Tony nomination); Shuffle Along, or, The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed; and Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune (Tony nomination).
A Juilliard-trained soprano, her opera credits include La voix humaine and Send at Houston Grand Opera, and Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny at Los Angeles Opera, where the resulting recording earned her two Grammy Awards.
On television, she was seen by millions as the Mother Abbess in NBC’s The Sound of Music Live! and played Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC’s Private Practice. She won an Emmy Award for her role as host of PBS’s Live From Lincoln Center and has received nominations for Wit, A Raisin in the Sun and Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill. Having first appeared as Liz Lawrence on CBS’s The Good Wife, she stars in The Good Fight on Paramount+ as well as in Spectrum’s pandemic-themed drama, The Bite.
On film, she has appeared in Seven Servants, The Object of My Affection, Cradle Will Rock, It Runs in the Family, The Best Thief in the World, She Got Problems, Rampart, Ricki and the Flash, Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, the movie-musical Hello Again, and MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic, Respect.
Her upcoming film projects comprise Higher Ground’s Rustin and FilmNation’s Down Low. McDonald has issued five solo albums on the Nonesuch label as well as Sing Happy with the New York Philharmonic on Decca Gold. She also maintains a major career as a concert artist, regularly appearing on the great stages of the world and with leading international orchestras. A founding member of Black Theatre United, board member of Covenant House International, and prominent advocate for LGBTQAI+ rights, her favorite roles are those performed offstage, as an activist, wife to actor Will Swenson, and mother.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
Awards and Nominations
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Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Gypsy
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Ohio State Murders
Audra McDonald, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune
Audra McDonald, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill
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Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess
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Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shad
Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade
Audra McDonald, 11 in the Shade
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Audra McDonald, A Raisin In The Sun
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Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
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Audra McDonald , A Raisin in the Sun
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Audra McDonald, A Raisin in the Sun
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Audra McDonald
Audra McDonald, Marie Christine
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Audra McDonald, Marie Christine
Audra McDonaldRagtime
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Audra McDonald, Ragtime
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Audra McDonald, Master Class
Videos
Video: HBO Previews Season 3 Finale of THE GILDED AGE in Tense New Sneak Peek
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-08-04 15:21:53
Video: Morgan Spector Recalls Breakout Role in Broadway's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-31 11:11:30
Video: THE GILDED AGE Stars Denée Benton and Louisa Jacobson Talk Season 3, Working with Broadway Legends & More
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-21 13:12:52
Video: Audra McDonald, Denée Benton, & More Discuss Portrayal of Black Elite in THE GILDED AGE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-17 15:20:43
Video: See Andrea Martin as Madame Dashkova in New Sneak Peek of THE GILDED AGE
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-07-07 16:40:07
Video: THE GILDED AGE Stars Morgan Spector and Carrie Coon Discuss Theater's Impact on the Series
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-17 13:56:05
Video: Jordan Tyson Sings 'Strangers Like Me' From TARZAN MCC's MISCAST25
by Michael Major - 2025-06-03 11:56:19
Video: Audra McDonald Reflects on ‘Legend’ Status and GYPSY Role in CBS Interview
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-03 10:59:39
Video: Audra McDonald and GYPSY Cast Perform 'Some People' on THE LATE SHOW
by Stephi Wild - 2025-05-23 07:06:11
Video: SUCCESSION's Kieran Culkin and Sarah Snook Reunite for 'Actors on Actors'
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-24 11:49:14
Video: Audra McDonald & Jake Gyllenhaal Bond Over Stephen Sondheim, Vocal Warmups, & More
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-23 11:48:29
Video: George Clooney & Patti LuPone Sit Down for 'Actors on Actors' Series
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-22 13:25:12
Video: Audra McDonald and the Cast of GYPSY Perform Tiny Desk Concert
by Stephi Wild - 2025-04-22 08:59:26
Video: Audra McDonald Reflects on Kamala Harris' Visit to GYPSY on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-03 14:32:49
Video: Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein & Joy Woods Perform 'Together, Wherever We Go' From GYPSY
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-13 10:10:20
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2026
Reeve Carney, Alex Newell, JJ Niemann, and five new members of the RENT original Broadway company have joined the star-studded line-up for The Festival, the first-of-its-kind three-day outdoor celebration.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 3, 2026
Elizabeth Marvel, Tony Award winner Andrew Burnap, Drama Desk Award nominee Dallas Roberts, and actor/comedian Jim Gaffigan have all joined season four of The Gilded Age as guest stars. Kelley Curran, who plays Enid Winterton, will now appear as a series regular in the new season.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 3, 2026
National Theatre has announced four productions will be available to stream on National Theatre at Home, the NT's pioneering theatre streaming platform, continuing to expand its world-class digital catalogue for audiences around the globe.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 2, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Viola Davis, Colman Domingo, Angela Bassett, and more took home awards this past weekend at the 57th NAACP Image Awards. Check out the full list of winners now.
by Drew Eberhard - Mar 2, 2026
The Quintessential voice, the one and only Audra McDonald. Captivating the room and singing selections from Broadway’s Great American Songbook, totaling 15 incredible selections in a swift 90-minute presentation.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 26, 2026
Tony winner Adrienne Warren, most recently seen on Broadway in The Last Five Years, is among the performers on the official soundtrack for The Gray House, the new historical series from Prime Video. Listen to the soundtrack now.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 24, 2026
Kim H. Kowalke, President of the Kurt Weill Foundation for Music and founder of the Lenya Competition, has announced the eighteen versatile singer-actors who have advanced to the Competition's semifinal round.
by - Feb 23, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 23, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 22, 2026
Broadway's biggest night will be back in 2026! The Tony Awards, Broadway's most beloved tradition, returns in June, honoring theater professionals for distinguished achievement in the 2025/2026 Broadway season. What can you expect this time around? We've got the scoop!
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 21, 2026
Keen Company will present MIXTAPE: VOLUME 2, a one-night event curated by Adam Gwon, featuring a diverse lineup of performances on March 2, 2026, at National Sawdust in Brooklyn. The evening includes original songs, dance, and more to benefit the Keen Teen's Festival of New Work.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2026
New York Women in Film & Television has announced the honorees for the 2026 NYWIFT Muse Awards, which include Audra McDonald and more! Learn more about the honorees here.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2026
The Theatre Group at SBCC will present A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS from March 4-21, 2026, at the Garvin Theatre.
by Jeffrey Kare - Feb 18, 2026
Inspired by the music and upbringing of Alicia Keys. Hell’s Kitchen follows Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, we meet her dynamic family, a musical mentor who changes her life, and the neighborhood that helps her grow up.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 16, 2026
ROMERO & JULIET, a zombie rock musical, completed a sold-out world premiere run at the Greer Cabaret Theater in Pittsburgh. Check out photos of the production.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2026
Casting details have been released for the upcoming fourth season of The Gilded Age, the HBO costume drama full of Broadway and stage veterans. New additions to the cast include Tony Award winner Bonnie Milligan, Tony Award nominee Taylor Trensch, Maggie Kuntz (John Proctor Is the Villain, The Outsiders), and more.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 12, 2026
ROMERO & JULIET will debut as a zombie rock musical, fusing the cinematic legacy of George Romero with Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers. Check out photos of the show.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 8, 2026
The Broadway production of Ragtime was a glorious accomplishment, a riveting testament to the original American musical and to all that America itself could be. The show ran for 834 performances at the Ford Center, closing in the final year of the 20th century. It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, taking home four.
by Jeffrey Kare - Feb 6, 2026
On February 13th & 14th, the North Carolina Symphony will be presenting BRAVO BROADWAY. Three guest vocalists are coming down to the Triangle area to perform showstoppers from beloved Broadway musicals such as WICKED, RENT, HAMILTON, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, and more. I recently got to speak with each of them.
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 31, 2026
Before the 2026 winner is announced on Sunday, February 1, take a listen to all five of the 2026 Grammy-nominated albums, including Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her, Gypsy, Just in Time, and Maybe Happy Ending.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 29, 2026
Tanglewood has revealed the details of its 2026 season, opening in late June and continuing to Labor Day weekend. The schedule brings many of the world’s most exciting musicians to the beautiful Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Audra McDonald has appeared on Broadway in 18 shows.
Audra McDonald has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.
Audra McDonald's first West End show was Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill which opened in 2017
Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gypsy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Ohio State Murders, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Best Actress (Olivier Awards) for Lady Day At Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Leading Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Lady Day at emerson's Bar & Grill, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Best Leading Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Porgy and Bess, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess , Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess , Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Porgy and Bess , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (tie) (Drama Desk Awards) for 110 in the Shad, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for 110 in the Shade, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for 110 in the Shade, Best Featured Actress in a Play (BroadwayWorld Awards) for A Raisin In The Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Distinguished Achivement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Marie Christine, Outstanding Actress - Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Marie Christine, Best Featured Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Master Class.
Audra McDonald has won numerous prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Gypsy. For Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, she won Best Leading Actress in a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards. For Porgy and Bess, McDonald was honored with Best Leading Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards, the Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards. She tied for Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for 110 in the Shade. For A Raisin in the Sun, she earned Best Featured Actress in a Play at the BroadwayWorld Awards, Outstanding Featured Actress - Play at the Drama Desk Awards, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards. Additionally, McDonald received the Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre at the Drama League Awards. She won Outstanding Actress - Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for Marie Christine, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for Ragtime, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for Master Class.
Videos