Cady Huffman

Cady Huffman is an American actress, singer, and director known for her extensive work in Broadway musicals, film, and television. Huffman began her theatrical training in acting, ballet, and classical voice as a child before making her Broadway debut as a replacement cast member in the musical "La Cage aux Folles." She joined the original ensemble for Bob Fosse's "Big Deal," a Tony Award-winning musical and the final show directed and choreographed by Fosse. Huffman's early Broadway credits include a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Ziegfeld's Favorite in "The Will Rogers Follies," which received multiple Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Musical Score.

Huffman originated the role of Ulla in Mel Brooks' musical "The Producers." Her performance contributed to the show's record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and an extended run of more than 2,500 performances. Huffman received the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for her work as Ulla, performing alongside Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. She later appeared on Broadway in "The Nance" with Lane, earning an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination, and in "Chicago" as Matron Mama Morton.

In addition to her stage career, Huffman has appeared in films such as "Hero," "The Nanny Diaries," "The Company Men," "Love the Coopers," and "The Sixth Reel." Her television work includes guest and recurring roles on "The Good Wife," "Blue Bloods," "Younger," "Madam Secretary," "Master of None," "Difficult People," and several "Law & Order" series. Huffman's role in "The Producers" led to a recurring part in the television series "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Huffman has also served as a judge on "Iron Chef America" for 10 consecutive seasons on Food Network. Her directing credits include "City of Light" at the SheNYC Summer Theater Festival, as well as productions of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" and "Anything Goes." She is active in charitable work supporting AIDS awareness, breast cancer research, and animal rights. As an advocate for the arts and First Amendment rights, Huffman has spoken at the Sundance Film Festival and at Brown and Harvard Universities, and has addressed lawmakers in Washington. Huffman's career spans Broadway, film, television, and live performance, establishing her as a versatile figure in American entertainment.