Audra McDonald

Acting

Audra McDonald

Born July 3, 1970 · Berlin, Germany (age 56)

Audra Ann McDonald is an American actress and singer. Primarily known for her work on the Broadway stage, she has won six Tony Awards, more performance wins than any other actor, and is the only person to win in all four acting categories. She has performed in musicals, operas, and dramas such as A Moon for the Misbegotten, 110 in the Shade, Carousel, Ragtime, Master Class, and Porgy and Bess. In …

Known For

Beauty and the BeastBeauty and the Beast · 2017
Beauty and the Beast
★ 7.02017
MovieFamilyFantasy
A live-action adaptation of Disney's version of the classic tale of a cursed prince and a beautiful young woman who helps him break the spell.
Ricki and the FlashRicki and the Flash · 2015
Ricki and the Flash
★ 5.82015
MovieComedyDrama
Meryl Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning home, Ricki gets a shot at redemption and a chance to make things right as she faces the music with her family.
Cradle Will RockCradle Will Rock · 1999
Cradle Will Rock
★ 6.51999
MovieDrama
A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.
RespectRespect · 2021
Respect
★ 6.82021
MovieDramaMusic
The rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom.
Down LowDown Low · 2023
Down Low
★ 5.22023
MovieComedy
A repressed gay man develops an unlikely friendship with a young masseur who teaches him to embrace life.
The Object of My AffectionThe Object of My Affection · 1998
The Object of My Affection
★ 5.81998
MovieDramaRomance
A pregnant New York social worker begins to develop romantic feelings for her gay best friend, and decides she'd rather raise her child with him, much to the dismay of her overbearing boyfriend.
AnnieAnnie · 1999
Annie
★ 6.51999
MovieMusicFamily
Things seem pretty bad for a young girl living a "hard-knock life" in an orphanage. Fed up with the dastardly Miss Hannigan, Annie escapes the run-down orphanage determined to find her mom and dad. It's an adventure that takes her from the cold, mean streets of New York to the warm, comforting arms of bighearted billionaire Oliver Warbucks - with plenty of mischief and music in between.
WitWit · 2001
Wit
★ 7.32001
MovieDramaTV Movie
A renowned professor is forced to reassess her life when she is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer.

Filmography

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Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 YearsHaving Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years · 1999
Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years
★ 7.31999
MovieHistoryDrama
Tells the story of Sadie and Bessie Delany, two African-American (they preferred "colored") sisters who both lived past the age of 100. They grew up on a North Carolina college campus, the daughters of the first African-American Episcopal bishop, who was born a slave, and a woman with an inter-racial background. With the support of each other and their family, they survived encounters with racism and sexism in their own different ways. Sadie quietly and sweetly broke barriers to become the first African-American home-ec teacher in New York City, while Bessie, with her own brand of outspokenness, became the second African-American dentist in New York City. At the ages of 103 and 101, they told their story to Amy Hill Hearth, a white New York Times reporter who published an article about them. The overwhelming response launched a bestselling book, a Broadway play, and this film.

Bessie in her 20s

Mister SterlingMister Sterling · 2003
Mister Sterling
★ 8.22003
SeriesDramaWar & Politics
Mister Sterling is an American television serial drama created by Lawrence O'Donnell that ran from January to March in 2003. It starred Josh Brolin as an idealistic United States Senator, and featured Audra McDonald, William Russ, David Noroña, and James Whitmore as members of his staff. Despite mostly positive reviews, the show, which aired on NBC on Friday nights, was cancelled after 10 episodes after the show only ranked 58th in the yearly ratings Although it had numerous similarities to The West Wing in style and tone, it was not set in the same universe as O'Donnell's other political show. It is unknown if a cross-over would have ever occurred had Mister Sterling not been cancelled; however Steven Culp played presidential aspirant Sen. Ron Garland on Mister Sterling and House Speaker Jeff Haffley on The West Wing, and Democrats appeared to be in the majority in the US Senate on Mr Sterling, while in The West Wing consistent Republican control of both Houses of Congress was a key plot point. James Whitmore was nominated for a 2003 Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for playing former Governor Bill Sterling, the senator's father.

Jackie Brock