Stockard Channing

Stockard Channing, born Susan Antonia Williams Stockard on February 13, 1944, is an accomplished American actress. She notably portrayed Betty Rizzo in the film Grease (1978) and First Lady Abbey Bartlet in the NBC television series The West Wing (1999–2006). She originated the role of Ouisa Kittredge in the stage and film versions of Six Degrees of Separation; the 1993 film version earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Channing won the 1985 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the Broadway revival of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. She also won Emmy Awards for The West Wing and The Matthew Shepard Story, both in 2002. She is a woman of notable transformation. From starting out in experimental theater to her considerable transformation for her role in The Girl Most Likely To..., Channing’s drive and commitment to her craft are evident. Her time in the Broadway show, They're Playing Our Song (1980–81) and subsequent roles on the stage show her dedication to the field.

Channing's career also includes roles in films such as The Fortune (1975), The Big Bus (1976), The Cheap Detective (1978), Heartburn (1986), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), Up Close & Personal (1996), Practical Magic (1998), and Woody Allen's Anything Else (2003). She also played the recurring role of Veronica Loy on the CBS drama The Good Wife (2012–16). Despite these numerous accomplishments, her career had its share of ups and downs. She has been hailed as "the next big thing" in cinema, but some of her projects did not fare well at the box office. Yet, she persevered and remained dedicated to her craft, consistently delivering powerful performances in all her roles.