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Leslie Uggams

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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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

STAGE CREDITS

Jelly's Last Jam Jelly's Last Jam
[Off-Broadway]
Encores! Concert Revival Production, 2024
Gran Mimi
Gypsy Gypsy
[Regional (US)]
Connecticut Rep Production, 2014
Rose
The First Breeze of Summer
[Off-Broadway]
2008
Gremmar
On Golden Pond On Golden Pond
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2005
Ethel Thayer
Stormy Weather
[New York]
Workshop, 2004
Lena Horne
Hallelujah, Baby!
[New York]
Workshop, 2004
Momma
Blue
[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 2003
Peggy Clark
Thunder Knocking on the Door
[Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Broadway Production, 2002
Good Sister Dupree
Thoroughly Modern Millie Thoroughly Modern Millie
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2002
Muzzy Van Hossmere [Replacement]
[Replacement]
King Hedley II
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2001
Ruby
The Old Settler
[Off-Broadway]
1998
Elizabeth Borny
Call Me Madam
[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 1996
Performer
Anything Goes
[US Tour]
National Tour, 1988
Reno Sweeney
Anything Goes
[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 1987
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
Jerry's Girls
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1985
Performer
Jerry's Girls
[US Tour]
National Tour, 1985
Blues in the Night
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1982
Woman #1
Her First Roman
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1968
Cleopatra
Hallelujah, Baby!
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1967
Georgina

Awards and Nominations

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Leslie UggamsOn Golden Pond

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Leslie Uggams, King Hedley II

Tony Awards - 2001 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Leslie Uggams , King Hedley II


winner
Tony Awards - 1968 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Leslie Uggams , Hallelujah, Baby!


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 1967 - Best New Personalities

Leslie Uggams, Hallelujah, Baby!


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1967 - Performance

Leslie Uggams, Hallelujah, Baby!

Videos

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News


Interview: Darrell T. Joe of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Broadway At The Hobby C Photo
Interview: Darrell T. Joe of DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at Broadway At The Hobby Center
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.'
Leslie Uggams Joins Porchlight Music Theatre’s Artistic Advisory Board Photo
Leslie Uggams Joins Porchlight Music Theatre’s Artistic Advisory Board
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.
Review: ANDREA MCARDLE'S BROADWAY ON DEMAND at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Will Be In Photo
Review: ANDREA MCARDLE'S BROADWAY ON DEMAND at The Laurie Beechman Theatre Will Be In Demand
by Stephen Mosher - Sep 24, 2025

The sun has come out, and it will come out once a month at The Beechman.
Photos: Porchlight Music Theatre Celebrates Leslie Uggams at its ICONS Gala Photo
Photos: Porchlight Music Theatre Celebrates Leslie Uggams at its ICONS Gala
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!
Interview: Robert Yacko of AN EVENING WITH THE MAESTRO at The Broad Stage of Santa Mo Photo
Interview: Robert Yacko of AN EVENING WITH THE MAESTRO at The Broad Stage of Santa Monica
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.
Listen: THE GILDED AGE Season 3 Soundtrack Now Streaming Photo
Listen: THE GILDED AGE Season 3 Soundtrack Now Streaming
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!
Video: HBO Previews Season 3 Finale of THE GILDED AGE in Tense New Sneak Peek Photo
Video: HBO Previews Season 3 Finale of THE GILDED AGE in Tense New Sneak Peek
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!
Video: Morgan Spector Recalls Breakout Role in Broadway's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE Photo
Video: Morgan Spector Recalls Breakout Role in Broadway's A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE
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!
HBO Renews Broadway-Filled THE GILDED AGE For A Fourth Season Photo
HBO Renews Broadway-Filled THE GILDED AGE For A Fourth Season
by Michael Major - Jul 28, 2025

HBO's The Gilded Age has been renewed for a fourth season. From creator Julian Fellowes (“Downton Abbey”), HBO’s The Gilded Age has achieved praise for its star-studded ensemble cast of Broadway talent, costume design, and production design.
Leslie Uggams to be Celebrated at Porchlight Music Theatre's 2025 ICONS GALA Photo
Leslie Uggams to be Celebrated at Porchlight Music Theatre's 2025 ICONS GALA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 24, 2025

Porchlight Music Theatre has revealed that multi-award winner Leslie Uggams is the 2025 ICON Award recipient and will attend the signature fundraising event. Learn more!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Leslie Uggams been in?

Leslie Uggams has appeared on Broadway in 8 shows.

How many West End shows has Leslie Uggams been in?

Leslie Uggams has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Leslie Uggams been nominated for?

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!.

What awards has Leslie Uggams won?

Leslie Uggams has won several notable 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.

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