Bebe Neuwirth — Biography

Bebe Neuwirth, born Beatrice Jane Neuwirth, is a celebrated American performer, recognized for her talents as an actress, singer, and dancer. Her extensive work on both theater stages and the silver screen has garnered significant acclaim, including two Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, and a Drama Desk Award. Neuwirth's journey in musical theater began on Broadway in 1980 with a role in A Chorus Line. Her theatrical achievements include two Tony Awards: one for her supporting performance as Nickie in the 1986 revival of Sweet Charity, and a second for her leading portrayal of Velma Kelly in the 1996 revival of Chicago. She also took on the roles of Lola in the 1994 revival of Damn Yankees and Morticia Addams in The Addams Family musical in 2010. On television, Neuwirth achieved widespread recognition for her role as Dr. Lilith Sternin, the wife of Frasier Crane, in the popular sitcom Cheers, a starring part that led to her recurring appearance on the spin-off series Frasier. These television performances earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Her television career also includes her role as Bureau Chief/ADA Tracey Kibre in the short-lived NBC series Law & Order: Trial by Jury from 2005 to 2006. From 2014 to 2017, she was a fixture on the CBS political drama Madam Secretary, portraying Nadine Tolliver. Further television credits include appearances in Blue Bloods between 2013 and 2019, The Good Fight from 2018 to 2021, and her current role in Julia. In the realm of film, Neuwirth brought Nora Shepherd to life in the original Jumanji in 1995 and returned for Jumanji: The Next Level in 2019. Her cinematic resume also features roles in Say Anything... (1989), Green Card (1990), Bugsy (1991), Celebrity (1998), Summer of Sam (1999), and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003).