Betty Buckley

Betty Buckley (born July 3, 1947) is an American actress, singer, and music teacher whose career spans over six decades, encompassing Broadway triumphs, notable film and television roles, and a prolific recording legacy. Raised in Fort Worth, Texas, she made her Broadway debut in the original production of 1776 in 1969 and quickly earned the nickname “The Voice of Broadway” from New York Magazine, a testament to her powerful mezzo‑soprano and commanding stage presence. Her breakthrough came in 1982 when she originated the role of Grizabella in Cats, delivering the iconic performance of “Memory” and securing the 1983 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, a milestone that cemented her status as a theatrical legend. Buckley later portrayed Norma Desmond in both the London (1994) and New York (1995) productions of Sunset Boulevard, garnering an Olivier Award nomination and a Tony nomination for Triumph of Love in 1997, while also appearing in revivals such as The Mystery of Edwin Drood and touring as the title character in Hello, Dolly! from 2018‑2019.

Beyond the stage, Buckley achieved mainstream recognition as Abby Abbott on the television dramedy Eight Is Enough (1977‑1981) and as Miss Collins in the 1976 film Carrie, later reprising a related role in the 1988 Broadway adaptation of the same story. Her film credits include Tender Mercies (1983), Frantic (1988), Another Woman (1988), M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening (2008) and Split (2016), the latter earning her a Saturn Award nomination. She has also appeared in acclaimed series such as Oz, The Pacific, Preacher, and Supergirl. A two‑time Grammy nominee and inductee of the American Theater Hall of Fame (2012), Buckley continues to record, tour, and teach, sharing her artistry with new generations of performers.