Leslie Uggams
Birth Place: New York, NY, USA
Ariana DeBose, Grey Henson, Robyn Hurder and More Join BROADWAY BACKWARDS Lineup (Mar 3, 2026)
Taylor Trensch, Maggie Kuntz, & More Join THE GILDED AGE Season 4 (Feb 13, 2026)
From Ethel Merman to Liza Minnelli: Revisit the Best of Broadway on THE MUPPET SHOW (Feb 7, 2026)
BIO
Leslie Uggams is a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress and singer whose career has brought her from Harlem to Broadway, the big screen to television. Perhaps best known for her stirring portrayal of Kizzy in the landmark TV mini-series Alex Haley's Roots, Ms. Uggams has performed to critical and popular acclaim ever since her first professional appearances at the age of nine at the famed Apollo Theater in New York City. There she opened for such musical legends as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington. Now, after six decades on stage and screen, she is a legend in her own right. She is on the Board of Directors of the Apollo Theater; was recently awarded an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from the University of Connecticut; and is also the recipient of an American Artist Award from Arena Stage in Washington, DC.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Awards and Nominations
Leslie UggamsOn Golden Pond
Leslie Uggams, King Hedley II
Leslie Uggams , King Hedley II
winner
Leslie Uggams , Hallelujah, Baby!
winner
Leslie Uggams, Hallelujah, Baby!
winner
Leslie Uggams, Hallelujah, Baby!
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: 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: Watch 'The Whole World's Waitin' to Sing Your Song' from JELLY'S LAST JAM
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-02-28 14:25:38
Video: Watch Hugh Jackman in the New DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE Teaser Trailer
by Michael Major - 2024-02-12 09:30:41
VIDEO: Because it's June! Watch Leslie Uggams' Iconic Performance of 'June is Bustin' Out All Over'
by Alan Henry - 2022-06-01 10:04:14
VIDEO: Sneak Peek of BLUES IN THE NIGHT at Ebony Reptertory Theatre
by Gigi Gervais - 2021-11-20 11:12:29
MARK WILLIAM: COME CROON WITH ME to Play Feinstein's at Hotel Carmichael in Carmel
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2021-07-30 10:00:20
BWW Exclusive: Minnie Mouse Teaches Leslie Uggams' Nana Beaver to Tap Dance on MINNIE'S BOW-TOONS!
by Sarah Leiber - 2021-06-18 12:28:58
VIDEO: Audra McDonald & Will Swenson, Phillipa Soo & Steven Pasquale and More Talk Spectrum Originals Series THE BITE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2021-05-18 15:10:53
VIDEO: Because it's June! Watch Leslie Uggams' Iconic Performance of 'June is Bustin' Out All Over'
by Stephi Wild - 2020-06-01 06:50:33
VIDEO: BLUE Celebrates Mothers' Day, Featuring Lynn Whitfield, Phylicia Rashad, and More!
by Stephi Wild - 2020-05-10 11:53:48
Mark William, Two-Time BWW Cabaret Award Winner and MAC Award Nominee, Returns to The Green Room 42
by Nicole Rosky - 2020-03-02 12:23:32
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 3, 2026
Additional stars have joined the lineup of Broadway luminaries bringing to life LGBTQ+ stories through show tunes at Broadway Backwards, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
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 Josh Sharpe - Feb 7, 2026
It's time to meet Broadway's best on The Muppet Show tonight! With the new special now streaming, we have rounded up some of the best of Broadway talent during the show's original run.
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 4, 2026
Amas Musical Theatre will celebrate its 58th Anniversary at its annual Gala Benefit on Monday, May 11, 2026 at “Rosetta's Place” at Penthouse 45 (432 West 45th Street - NYC).
by Gillian Blum - Jan 31, 2026
Producer, director, and New Federal Theatre founder Woodie King Jr. passed away at 88 on January 29 following complications from emergency heart surgery.
by Brett Cullum - Jan 6, 2026
'I went to school, did a couple of cruise ships, and then I moved to New York with two bags and a tube of Chapstick, and I've lived there for 15 years now. Which makes me official, I think.'
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 24, 2025
Porchlight Music Theatre has announced that Leslie Uggams, the multi-award-winning Broadway, film, TV, and recording star, has been appointed to its Artistic Advisory Board. Uggams was recently honored at the company’s 2025 ICONS Gala: Celebrating Leslie Uggams.
by Stephen Mosher - Sep 24, 2025
The sun has come out, and it will come out once a month at The Beechman.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 19, 2025
Award-winning Porchlight Music Theatre launched its 31st season with the ICONS GALA: Celebrating Leslie Uggams, Sunday, Sept. 14 at The Ritz-Carlton Chicago at Water Tower Place. See photos here!
by - Sep 19, 2025
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 19, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 18, 2025
Broadway alums Jordan Fisher, Leslie Uggams, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and more will serve as 2025 narrators for Disney World's annual Candlelight Procession in EPCOT.
by Gavin Glynn - Aug 31, 2025
This one of its kind world premiere event also pays tribute to Bernstein’s passion for education, with proceeds supporting MTG’s Youth Education Outreach programs.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 24, 2025
The Gilded Age recently wrapped up its third season on HBO, to record-setting viewership. Much to the delight of theatre fans, the cast of the show includes a wealth of actors who are beloved for their work in theatre. Cast by Adam Caldwell and Bernie Telsey, The Gilded Age shoots in the New York area, which gave the team the ability to cast many actors who regularly work in theatre.
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 14, 2025
Season 3 of The Gilded Age went out with a bang, as the finale episode of the HBO costume drama attracted 5.0 million viewers in its first three days of release in the U.S.
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 11, 2025
WaterTower Music has released the official soundtrack for Season 3 of The Gilded Age, featuring original music by acclaimed composers Harry and Rupert Gregson-Williams. Listen to it now!
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 7, 2025
As viewers prepare for the Season 3 finale, The Gilded Age continues to remain on top. According to new reports, the penultimate seventh episode of the HBO costume drama brought in 4.6 million viewers during its first three days.
by Josh Sharpe - Aug 4, 2025
Ahead of the season finale airing of The Gilded Age, HBO Max has shared a new preview of the episode, which sees the Russell family navigate the aftermath of the shocking ending. Watch it now!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 1, 2025
Dionne Warwick deluxe 12-CD box set Make It Easy on Yourself: The Scepter Recordings, 1962-1971 is available now! Learn more and see how to purchase here!
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 31, 2025
According to new reports, the recent sixth episode of HBO's The Gilded Age has reached a new ratings high, with 4.5 million viewers tuning in during its first three days.
by Josh Sharpe - Jul 31, 2025
To celebrate the success of the ongoing third season of The Gilded Age, Broadway alum Morgan Spector visited The Tonight Show to chat with Jimmy Fallon about the series and looked back on his Broadway debut in A View From the Bridge. Check out the interview!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Leslie Uggams has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.
Leslie Uggams has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for On Golden Pond , Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for King Hedley II , Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for King Hedley II, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hallelujah, Baby!, Best New Personalities (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Hallelujah, Baby! and Performance (Theatre World Awards) for Hallelujah, Baby!.
Leslie Uggams has won several prestigious awards for her performance in Hallelujah, Baby! These include the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best New Personalities, and the Theatre World Award for Performance.
Videos