Born Beatrice Neuwirth on December 31, 1958 in Newark, New Jersey. Raised in Princeton by a mathematician father and artist mother, Neuwirth began dance lessons at age five. After finishing high school, she went on to study dance at New York’s prestigious Juilliard School.

In 1980, she made her professional debut in a touring production of A Chorus Line. She followed this with several more Broadway musicals, including Bob Fosse's Dancin' and a starring role in Sweet Charity, which earned her a Tony award in 1986.

That same year, Neuwirth made her debut with television audiences as the buttoned-up girlfriend of Dr. Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) on the hit sitcom Cheers. As Lilith Sternin-Crane (the two later married), Neuwirth revealed her comedic talent, winning Emmy awards in both 1990 and 1991 for her supporting role. At her request, she was written out of the series in 1992 to pursue film and stage work, but she continued to make occasional visits to the show and to Grammer's spin-off, Frasier.

On the big screen, Neuwirth started with a steady stream of supporting roles, including Say Anything, Bugsy and Green Card. However, she continued to find roles that better suited her edgy charm on stage. In 1997, her performance in Chicago earned her a second Tony award.

In 2002, Neuwirth finally signed on for a film that spotlighted her talents as Diane, a sexy woman who seduces her best friend's teenage son in the independent comedy Tadpole. Upcoming film projects include supporting roles in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days and The Big Bounce.

Neuwirth was married to theater director Paul Dorman from 1984 to 1991. She currently lives with actor Michael Danek.