Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald's distinguished career has been marked by an impressive array of accolades, including a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards, and an Emmy Award. These achievements, the result of her exceptional performances in all four acting categories, have cemented her status as one of the most celebrated actors of her generation. Her notable roles have spanned both stage and screen, with performances in award-winning shows such as "Carousel," "Master Class," "Ragtime," "A Raisin in the Sun," "Porgy and Bess," and "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill." Her performance in "Gypsy" earned her a 2025 Tony nomination. Her talents have also been showcased on television, where she portrayed Dr. Naomi Bennett on "Private Practice" and Liz Lawrence in "The Good Wife" and its spinoff "The Good Fight."

McDonald's diverse range of talents extends beyond acting, as she has also made a name for herself as a classical soprano. Her performances with prestigious opera houses and symphony orchestras, including the Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Berlin Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic, have been met with critical acclaim. Her recording with the Los Angeles Opera of Kurt Weill's "Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny" won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Album and Best Opera Recording.

McDonald's contributions to the arts have been recognized at the highest levels, with her being honored with the National Medal of Arts in 2016 by President Barack Obama and her induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 2017. Her filmography includes roles in films such as "Ricki and the Flash," "Beauty and the Beast," "Respect," and "Rustin."