Audra McDonald

Biography

Born 07/03/1970

Audra McDonald emerged as one of the premiere musical performers on Broadway before tackling other media. The Berlin-born, Fresno-raised mezzo-soprano began her performing career at age nine in local dinner theaters. At the urging of her educator parents, McDonald enrolled at Juilliard as a voice...
Audra McDonald's biography »

Rating:

Awards

  • In 2007, received Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical
  • In 2004, received Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play
  • In 2004, received Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Highlights

  • In 2008, Reprised role for the ABC television adaptation of "Raisin in the Sun"; earned an Emmy nomination for Supporting Actress
  • In 2007, Joined the “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff series, “Private Practice” (ABC) as Dr. Naomi Bennett; replaced Merrin Dungey, who played the role in the series pilot
  • In 2007, Cast in the Broadway revival, "110 in the Shade"; received sixth Tony nomination

Family & Companions

  • father: Killed in May 2007, when an experimental aircraft he was flying crashed north of Sacramento
  • Anna Kathryn McDonald: mother (Director of affirmative action program at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA)
  • Zoe Madeline Donovan: daughter (Born Feb. 14, 2001; father, Peter Donovan)

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