Patti Lupone
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Biography
Filmography
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Biography
This dynamic Broadway star, a product of Juilliard and John Houseman's Acting Company, is best known for her electrifying musical performances as the title character in "Evita" (1979), as Nancy in the 1984 revival of "Oliver!," as Fantine in the original RSC London production of "Les Miserables" (1985) and as Reno Sweeney in the 1987 Lincoln Center revival of "Anything Goes," although she is equally at home in the classics. LuPone made her film debut in "King of the Gypsies" (1978) and appeared as Harrison Ford's helpful sister in "Witness" (1985) and as Dan Aykroyd's wife in "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989). She won critical praise for her portrayal of Lady Bird Johnson in the TV biopic "LBJ: The Early Years" (NBC, 1987) opposite Randy Quaid. LuPone then starred as the mother in the TV series, "Life Goes On" (ABC, 1989-93).
When the well-received family drama petered out after four seasons, LuPone returned to the musical drama stage in London in Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of "Sunset Boulevard" (1993). Fully expecting to appear in the New York production, she was summarily dismissed by producer Lloyd Webber in favor of Glenn Close who received rave notices for her over-the-top (bordering on camp) interpretation of the role of Norma Desmond. LuPone settled for an undisclosed sum of money. After undergoing surgery to remove nodes on her vocal cords, she made a triumphant return to performing in a limited run concert version of "Pal Joey" in May 1995 and her own one-woman show "Patti LuPone on Broadway" in October 1995. When she replaced Zoe Caldwell as Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's "Master Class" in 1996, LuPone surprised many with her strong dramatic turn. She returned to the London stage in the same role the following year.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Music (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1953
Began taking tap dancing lessons at age four
1967
Attended Juilliard as member of first class of drama division
1972
Joined John Houseman's Acting Company after graduating from The Juilliard School
1973
Made Broadway debut in "The Three Sisters"
1977
First leading role in stage musical, "The Baker's Wife"; toured but did not open in NYC
1978
Made film debut in "King of the Gypsies"
1979
Delivered breakthrough stage role as "Evita" in Broadway production
1984
Earned plaudits as Nancy in short-lived Broadway revival of "Oliver!"
1985
London stage debut, the Moll in the Acting Company's production of "The Cradle Will Rock"
1985
Cast as Fantine in Royal Shakespeare Company production of "Les Misérables"
1989
First leading role in TV series, "Life Goes On" (ABC)
1993
Cast in London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Boulevard"; fired by Webber in favor of Glenn Close, who appeared in Los Angeles production; filed lawsuit and settled out of court for undisclosed damages
1995
Headlined one-woman show "Patti LuPone on Broadway"
1995
Returned to New York stage in City Center's "Encores! Great American Musicals" concert performance of "Pal Joey"
1996
Replaced Zoe Caldwell in Broadway production of "Master Class"; took show to London
1997
One-woman show "An Evening with Patti LuPone" aired on PBS
1997
Returned to Broadway in David Mamet's "The Old Neighborhood"
1999
Toured in one-woman show "Matters of the Heart"
1999
Returned to features as a tough TV producer in Nancy Savoca's "The 24 Hour Woman"
1999
Cast in supporting role in Spike Lee's "Summer of Sam"
2000
Co-starred as the social climbing mayor's wife in David Mamet's "State and Main"
2000
Played an assistant district attorney on CBS drama "Falcone"
2000
Performed her concert show "Matters of the Heart" at Lincoln Center
2000
Starred as industrious pie-maker Mrs. Lovett in benefit concert staging of "Sweeney Todd," honoring Stephen Sondheim on his 70th birthday
2000
Performed in concert with Audra McDonald at the Hollywood Bowl
2001
Returned to the stage in Broadway revival of "Noises Off"
2002
Played Emmy Cosell opposite John Turturro in TNT movie "Monday Night Mayhem"
2003
Joined cast of HBO's prison drama "Oz"
2005
Cast in Broadway revival of "Sweeney Todd" as Mrs. Lovett; earned Tony nomination for her performance
2007
Directed by Arthur Laurents in LuPone's version of "Gypsy" at City Center; reprised role for 2008 Broadway production
2010
Created role of Lucia in original Broadway production of "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown"; earned Tony nomination Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
2011
Reunited with "Evita" co-star in Broadway performance "An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin"
2011
Co-starred with Mira Sorvino in drama "Union Square," directed by Nancy Savoca
2013
Cast opposite Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez in crime thriller "Parker"
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