Jennifer Simard

Jennifer Simard is a celebrated actress and singer, renowned for her vibrant presence on Broadway. A graduate of the Boston Conservatory and Hunter College, she launched her career in the 1990s with off‑Broadway spoofs like "Forbidden Broadway: SVU," "The Thing About Men," and "I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change," earning Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominations. In 2007, she made her Broadway debut as Rona Lisa Peretti in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

Simard's breakthrough came in 2016 when she originated Sister Mary Downy in "Disaster!," blending comedic timing with musical flair and earning her first Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She continued to shine in supporting roles on Broadway, appearing as Ernestina in "Hello, Dolly!" (2017), stepping into multiple roles in "Mean Girls" (2018–2019), and playing Sarah -- a performance rooted in personal vulnerability -- in the gender-swapped revival of "Company" (2020–2022), which garnered her second Tony nod. In 2023, Simard originated the Stepmother in "Once Upon a One More Time." Most recently, she has played Helen Sharp in "Death Becomes Her" on Broadway (2024–present), earning her a third Tony nomination.

In addition to her stage work, Simard has appeared in films such as "Somewhere in Queens" and TV shows including "Law & Order," "The Good Wife," "Younger," "Girls5eva," and "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas."

Dedicated to the theater community, Simard is actively involved in mentoring young actors and is a strong advocate for mental health awareness, using her platform to support various causes.