Laura Benanti
Date of Birth: July 15, 1979 (47)
Latest News on Laura Benanti:
BIO
Tony® Award-winner and five-time Tony® Award nominee Laura Benanti is a highly celebrated stage and screen actress.
Ms. Benanti has an impressive television roster including Hulu’s LIFE & BETH, created by and starring Amy Schumer, the hit series YOUNGER, HBO Max’s GOSSIP GIRL reboot, and the upcoming second season of HBO Max’s THE GILDED AGE. Other television credits include guest starring roles on CINEMA TOAST, created by Jeff Baena and produced by the Duplass Brothers, ZIWE featuring comedian Ziwe Fumudoh, both for Showtime, as well as INSIDE AMY SCHUMER on Paramount+ (among many others. Benanti has also made widely acclaimed appearances on THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT as Melania Trump. Additionally, Benanti created and executive produced the HBO Max special HOMESCHOOL MUSICAL: CLASS OF 2020 based on her viral social media movement: #sunshinesongs.
In film, Benanti starred in Netflix’s WORTH opposite Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci and Amy Ryan, HERE TODAY opposite Billy Crystal and Tiffany Haddish, and was featured in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s TICK,TICK…BOOM!
In the theater, Ms. Benanti took Broadway by storm at the age of 18 as Maria in THE SOUND OF MUSIC and has subsequently starred in ten more Broadway shows (musicals, straight plays, comedies and dramas) including INTO THE WOODS, NINE (opposite Antonio Banderas), GYPSY (for which she won a Tony Award), SHE LOVES ME, MY FAIR LADY, and Steve Martin’s METEOR SHOWER opposite Amy Schumer and Keegan Michael Key.
Additionally, Benanti co-authored a comedic board book for mothers entitled M is for MAMA (and also Merlot): A Modern Mom’s ABCs, co-written with Metropolitan Opera Star Kate Mangiamelli. She released a self-titled audio album for Sony Music Masterworks and tours the world performing solo concerts alongside highly celebrated musicians and orchestras.
Ms. Benanti also appeared in the Sony Pictures comedy NO HARD FEELINGS opposite Jennifer Lawrence and Matthew Broderick, as well as THE SHADE based on the award-winning short of the same name.
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STAGE CREDITS
See how Laura Benanti connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Laura Benanti from another Broadway star or creative.
Laura Benanti
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Laura Benanti, Meteor Shower
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
Laura Benanti, She Loves Me
winner
Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
winner
Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
winner
Laura Benanti, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown
Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Laura Benanti, In the Next Room, or the vibrator play
winner
Laura Benanti, Gypsy
winner
Laura Benanti, Gypsy
winner
Laura Benanti, Gypsy
Laura Benanti, Nine
Laura Benanti, Into the Woods
Laura Benanti, Into the Woods
Laura Benanti, Swing!
Videos
Video: P!NK Says She is 'Terri-Cited' to Host 2026 Tonys: 'I'll Probably Fall'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-06-03 12:37:13
Video: Laura Benanti's Melania Trump Addresses Recent Press Conference on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-14 10:20:02
Video: Hamish Linklater Guest Stars as Biohacker in New ELSBETH Sneak Peek Clip
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-25 11:37:41
Video: Laura Benanti’s Melania Trump Talks New Film on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-05 12:19:46
Video: Jeremy Renner and Edie Falco Star in MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN Sneak Peek Clip
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-12-18 10:09:23
Video: Laura Benanti Brings Melania Trump Back to THE LATE SHOW for Holiday Segment
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-12-17 10:52:04
Video: Tony Hale Stars in Exclusive Clip From New Episode of ELSBETH Season 3
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-11 10:00:20
Video: Laura Benanti Talks MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN Role, Averted Broadway Strike
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-23 16:08:52
Video: Laura Benanti Returns as First Lady Melania Trump on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-21 10:56:36
Video: Lindsay Mendez Stars in ELSBETH Season 3 Clip with Sondheim Reference
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-07 15:53:47
Video: ELSBETH Season 3 Official Trailer Teases New Guest Stars Stephen Colbert, Annaleigh Ashford, & More
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-26 11:14:29
Video: Watch the Trailer for Laura Benanti: NOBODY CARES Coming to the Roda Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-08-26 19:43:54
Broadway's Jennie Harney-Fleming Goes Viral After Toddler Interrupts Performance
by Michael Major - 2025-07-02 10:52:43
Video: Bryan Cranston Stars in Exclusive Clip From Theater Dramedy EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE GREAT
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-06-05 12:00:20
Video: Christine Allado Performs 'Fly Away' From 'Jo - The Little Women Musical'
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-04-30 13:22:24
Video: Laura Benanti Performs Original Song 'Recovering Ingénue' at 54 Below
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-03-06 22:30:56
Watch Laura Benanti's Hilarious Return as Melania Trump on THE LATE SHOW with Stephen Colbert
by Stephi Wild - 2025-03-04 09:02:12
News
by Stephi Wild - Aug 19, 2026
Derek Hough will bring his DEREK HOUGH DANCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS tour to the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks on November 3, 2026. Tickets go on sale August 21 starting at $55.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 18, 2026
Derek Hough will bring his DANCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS tour to Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater on Sunday, November 22 at 8 PM, with tickets going on sale Friday, August 21 at 10 AM.
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 12, 2026
Tony Award winner Ali Louis Bourzgui visited students at NYC's Broadway Artists Alliance for a Q&A about originating the role of David in THE LOST BOYS and his journey as a performer.
by Marissa Faith Curley - Aug 9, 2026
Following the success of a 2025’s tour of Tweedy’s Massive Circus, Scottish clown Tweedy is back with a brand new solo show at the iconic purple cow. The show has just received a Gold Festivals Award EFFTA from the Fringe Theatre Awards.
by - Aug 4, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is August 4, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours:
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2026
September L. Davis will bring her Apology Tour to Studio Seaview Off-Broadway this fall, with nine dates set for September. Read September L. Davis' personal announcement about the show!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 3, 2026
Laura Benanti and her daughter Ella took to Instagram to share a recent unpleasant encounter they shared with September Davis, in which the star tried to get Ella thrown out of Sardi's.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 24, 2026
Two-time Tony nominee Alex Brightman, currently starring in SCHMIGADOON! on Broadway, visited Broadway Artists Alliance for a Q&A with students, sharing lessons on rejection, vocal health, and defining personal success. Check out photos of his visit.
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 21, 2026
Four-time Emmy winner Derek Hough announced a multi-city DANCE FOR THE HOLIDAYS tour, kicking off in Phoenix and wrapping in San Jose, with stops in Seattle, Austin, Salt Lake City, and Nashville.
by - Jul 15, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 15, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 13, 2026
Emmy Award Winner Derek Hough will be delivering Chicago’s opening monologue on Broadway. A post-performance talk back with Mark Ballas will follow the performance.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 6, 2026
Direct from an acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe and two sold-out Off-Broadway engagements, Steppenwolf Theatre will present Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares, a one-woman comedy show from the mind of Tony Award winner Laura Benanti.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 15, 2026
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts has named Jason Daunter as its new Theatre Director. Mr. Daunter’s responsibilities include planning, organizing, and managing all aspects of the theatre, its rehearsal hall, and the staff.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 8, 2026
Last night saw the 79th Annual Tony Awards, celebrating the incredible theater work seen on Broadway this past year. Take a look inside the CBS and Pluto TV broadcasts below, including presenters, performances, and acceptance speeches from shows like The Lost Boys, Schmigadoon!, Ragtime, Titaníque, and more.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
The 2026 Tony Awards red carpet officially kicks off in Rockefeller Plaza today at 3:30pm ET. Watch live interviews with all of Broadway's biggest stars, co-hosted by Richard Ridge and Michael James Scott.
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
The stars are aligning at Rockefeller Center! That's where the best of Broadway comes together today to walk the red carpet ahead of the 79th Annual Tony Awards- the biggest celebration in the American theatre. BroadwayWorld of course will be on hand at Radio City Music Hall all night to keep you up to speed on what's going on onstage, backstage, and behind the scenes!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 5, 2026
The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills revealed its 2026-2027 season, opening in the Bram Goldsmith Theater in September with the Joshua Redman Quartet, plus more.
by Michael Major - Jun 5, 2026
BroadwayWorld will be live on the Tony Awards red carpet on Sunday with special guest co-host Michael James Scott! The Aladdin alum, who will also be performing with The Book of Mormon, will join Richie Ridge on the red carpet.
by Michael Gioia - Jun 5, 2026
Former Tony Awards seat fillers exclusively tell BroadwayWorld what it was like sitting next to the stars on Broadway’s biggest night.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 4, 2026
South Coast Repertory announced Laura Benanti will perform her one-woman comedy show and Hershey Felder will hold a month-long residency with three productions as part of the theater's 2026-27 SCR Presents Series in Costa Mesa.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Laura Benanti has appeared on Broadway in 14 shows.
Laura Benanti has not appeared in the West End.
Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Meteor Shower, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for She Loves Me, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for She Loves Me, Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for She Loves Me, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for She Loves Me, Best Featured Actress in a Musical (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for In the Next Room, or the vibrator play, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Gypsy, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Gypsy, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Nine , Outstanding Featured Actress - Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods , Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Swing!.
Laura Benatti has received numerous Broadway accolades throughout her career. She won Best Featured Actress in a Musical at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. She earned Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical nominations from both the Drama Desk Awards and Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Her performance in Gypsy also garnered critical recognition, earning her Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical nominations from both the Drama Desk Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards.
