- Christine Baranski
-
Christine Baranski 
Baranski at the Metropolitan Opera opening in 2008.Born Christine Jane Baranski
May 2, 1952
Buffalo, New York, U.S.Occupation Actress Years active 1966–present Spouse Matthew Cowles (m. 1983–present) Christine Jane Baranski (born May 2, 1952) is an American stage and screen actress, and is perhaps best known for her Emmy Award winning portrayal as "Maryanne Thorpe" in the sitcom Cybill, and her Emmy nominated portrayal of "Diane Lockhart" in The Good Wife. Prior to her appearances in film and television, Baranksi rose to prominence as an aspiring Broadway actress, having won two Tony Awards.
Contents
Personal life
Baranski was born in Buffalo, New York, the daughter of Virginia (née Mazurowski) and Lucien Baranski, who edited a Polish-language newspaper.[1][2] She is of Polish descent and her grandparents were actors in the Polish theater.[3][4][5] Baranski attended Villa Maria Academy, after which she studied at Juilliard.[6] She has been married to actor Matthew Cowles since 1983, they live in New Preston, Connecticut. They have two daughters.[2]
Career
Stage
Baranski made her Off-Broadway debut in Coming Attractions at Playwrights Horizons in 1980, and has appeared in several Off Broadway productions at the Manhattan Theatre Club, starting with Sally and Marsha in 1982.
Baranski made her Broadway debut in Hide & Seek in 1980. For her next Broadway performance, in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, she won the 1984 Tony Award Best Featured Actress in a Play. Other Broadway credits include: Hurlyburly, The House of Blue Leaves, Rumors, Regrets Only, Nick & Nora, and the Encores! concert staging of Follies.
At the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Baranski starred as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd in 2002[7] (for which she won the 2003 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical) and as the titular Mame in 2006.[8]
In her first Broadway production since 1991, she was featured as the maid "Berthe" in the 2008 revival of Boeing Boeing.[9] The show garnered two Tony Awards, one for Best Revival of a Play and the other for Best Actor (Mark Rylance). The original cast was Bradley Whitford (Bernard), Kathryn Hahn (Gloria), Christine Baranski (Berthe), Gina Gershon (Gabriella), and Mary McCormack (Gretchen). The show closed on January 4, 2009.
She also appeared in a one night only concert benefit performance of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music for Roundabout Theatre Company as Countess Charlotte Malcolm on January 12, 2009.[10] The cast included Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson, Victor Garber, and Marc Kudisch, among others.
She has won both the Tony and Drama Desk Awards twice.
Film
Baranski has also starred in various roles in films and television. In film, some of her best known roles are as Katherine Archer in The Birdcage, Mary Sunshine in the musical Chicago, Martha May Whovier in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Connie Chasseur in The Ref and as Tanya in the musical Mamma Mia!
Television work
Baranski was featured as Cybill Shepherd's hard-drinking friend Maryanne Thorpe in the CBS sitcom Cybill, which ran from 1995 until 1998, during which time she hosted Saturday Night Live and won an Emmy Award as best supporting actress in a comedy series along with three other nominations.
In 1999 Baranski received an Emmy nomination for a guest starring role as an intimidating radio psychiatrist on an episode of the NBC series Frasier. She had an uncredited role in the series Now and Again as the voice of Roger's overbearing wife Ruth, who was never seen by viewers.
She later appeared in the 2000–2001 sitcom Welcome to New York and, with John Laroquette, in the 2003–2004 NBC sitcom Happy Family. She co-starred with Bernadette Peters in a pilot for an ABC sitcom, Adopted, in 2005, which was not picked up. She also played Faith Clancy, the mother of Jim Clancy in Ghost Whisperer.
She portrayed a librarian named Sonja Umdahl in the episode "Dick and the Single Girl" of the series 3rd Rock from the Sun.[11]
She guest starred in The Big Bang Theory as Dr. Beverly Hofstadter, a bespectacled and unemotional expert in psychiatry and neuroscience who is the mother of one of the protagonists, Leonard Hofstadter. She appeared in the second season episode entitled "The Maternal Capacitance", for which she received an Emmy nomination. Due to the popularity of her first appearance, Baranski returned in the third season for the Christmas episode, "The Maternal Congruence" receiving another Emmy nomination.
Since 2009, she has played the role of Diane Lockhart, a top litigator and senior partner of a Chicago law firm on The Good Wife. She was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for an Emmy in 2010.
Besides her work on The Good Wife and the aforementioned guest appearance on The Big Bang Theory, in 2009 Baranski appeared on Ugly Betty as Victoria Hartley, the haughty mother of Betty's new boyfriend, and guest starred in episode 4.02 of Psych.
Though widely reported to have worked as a child actress under the name "Chris Charney," Baranski denies ever having appeared on The Brady Bunch.[12]
Filmography
Film and television Year Project Role Notes 1967 Who's Minding the Mint? Girl Uncredited 1980 Playing for Time Olga TV movie 1982 A Midsummer Night's Dream Helena TV movie 1982 Soup for One Blonde in Bar 1983 Lovesick Nymphomaniac 1982 Another World Beverly Tucker TV series, unknown episodes 1984 Crackers Maxine 1984 All My Children Jewel Maniscalo TV series, unknown episodes 1985 Big Shots in America TV movie 1985 The Equalizer Victoria Baines TV series, episode: "Mama's Boy" 1986 Nine 1/2 Weeks Thea 1986 Legal Eagles Carol Freeman 1987 The House of Blue Leaves Bunny Flingus TV movie 1987 The Pick-up Artist Harriet 1988 The Thorns Polly TV series, episode: "The Maid" 1990 Reversal of Fortune Andrea Reynolds, Claus' Girlfriend 1991 Law & Order Katherine Masucci Beigel TV series, episodes: "The Torrents of Greed Parts 1 & 2" 1992 Screenplay Blair Bennett TV series, episode: "Buying a Landslide" 1993 The Night We Never Met Lucy 1993 Life with Mikey Carol 1993 Addams Family Values Becky Martin-Granger 1993 To Dance with the White Dog Kate TV movie 1994 The Ref Connie Chasseur 1994 Getting In Mrs. Margaret "Maggie" Higgs 1994 The War Miss Strapford 1994 Law & Order Rose Siegal TV series, episode: "Nurture" 1995–1998 Cybill Maryanne Thorpe TV series, 87 episodes 1995 New Jersey Drive Prosecutor 1995 Jeffrey Ann Marwood Bartle 1996 The Birdcage Katherine Archer 1997 3rd Rock From The Sun Sonja Umdahl TV series, episode: "Dick and the Single Girl" 1998 The Odd Couple II Thelma 1998 Bulworth Constance Bulworth 1999 Cruel Intentions Bunny Caldwell 1999 Bowfinger Carol 1999 Now and Again Ruth Bender Episode: "Origins" (voice, uncredited) 1999 Frasier Dr. Nora Fairchild TV series, episode: "Dr. Nora" 2000–2001 Welcome to New York Marsha Bickner TV series, 13 episodes 2000 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Martha May Whovier 2001 Citizen Baines Glenn Ferguson Baines Welch TV series, episode: "Three Days in November" 2002 The Guru Shantal 2002 Chicago Mary Sunshine 2002 Speed Racer X Trixie Fontaine voice 2002 Presidio Med Dr. Terry Howland TV series, episodes: "Pick Your Battles", "Best of Enemies" 2003 Eloise at the Plaza Prunella Stickler 2003 Marci X Mary Ellen Spinkle 2003 Eloise at Christmastime Prunella Stickler 2003–2004 Happy Family Annie Brennan TV series, 22 episodes 2004 Spellbound TV 2004 Welcome to Mooseport Charlotte Cole 2005 Scooby Doo in Where's My Mummy? Amelia Von Butch voice, straight-to-video 2005 Recipe for a Perfect Christmas Lee Bellmont TV movie 2005 Adopted Judy Rabinowitz TV movie 2005 In The Game TV pilot 2005 Ghost Whisperer Faith Clancy TV series, episodes: "Voices", "The Crossing" 2006 Inseparable Barbara TV movie 2006 Falling for Grace Bree 2006 Relative Strangers Arleen Clayton 2006 Bonneville Francine 2006 American Dad! Homeless Woman TV series, episode: "Failure Is Not a Factory-installed Option" (voice) 2008 Mamma Mia! Tanya Wilkinson 2009 Ugly Betty Victoria Hartley TV series, 4 episodes 2009–present The Big Bang Theory Dr. Beverly Hofstadter Recurring character, episodes: "The Maternal Congruence", "The Maternal Capacitance", "The Skank Reflex Analysis" 2009 Psych Alice Clayton TV series, episode: "He Dead" 2009–present The Good Wife Diane Lockhart TV series, 42 episodes 2010 The Bounty Hunter Kitty Hurley 2011 Who is Simon Miller? Amanda TV movie 2011 Ugly Americans (TV series) Grimes' mummy TV series, episode 10, season 2 "Mummy Dearest" Awards and nominations
Awards and nominations in film, television and theatre Year Award Category Title of work Medium Notes Result 1984 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play The Real Thing Theatre Won! 1984 Tony Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play The Real Thing Theatre Won 1989 Tony Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Rumors Theatre Won 1992 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Lips Together, Teeth Apart Theatre Won 1995 Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Cybill Television Won 1996 Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Cybill Television Nominated 1996 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Cybill Television Nominated 1996 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Cybill Television Won 1996 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Cybill Television shared with cast Nominated 1996 Viewers for Quality Television Award Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Cybill Television Won 1997 Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Cybill Television Nominated 1997 Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV Cybill Television Nominated 1997 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture The Birdcage Film shared with cast Won 1997 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Cybill Television Nominated 1998 Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Cybill Television Nominated 1999 Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Frasier Television Episode: "Dr. Nora Fairchild" Nominated 2000 American Comedy Award Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a TV Series Frasier Television Nominated 2001 Blockbuster Entertainment Award Favorite Supporting Actor – Comedy How the Grinch Stole Christmas Film Nominated 2003 Broadcast Film Critics Association Award Best Cast Chicago Film Won 2003 Phoenix Film Critics Society Award Best Cast Chicago Film shared with cast Nominated 2003 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture Chicago Film shared with cast Won 2009 Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series The Big Bang Theory Television Episode: "The Maternal Capacitance" Nominated 2010 Emmy Award Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series The Big Bang Theory Television Episode: "The Maternal Congruence" Nominated 2010 Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Good Wife Television Episode: "Bang" Nominated 2010 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Good Wife Television shared with cast Nominated 2011 Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Good Wife Television Episode: "Silver Bullet" Nominated References
- ^ "Christine Baranski - Family and Companions - Yahoo!7 Movies" movies.yahoo.com
- ^ a b "Christine Baranski Biography (1952-)" filmreference.com, accessed April 29, 2011
- ^ "Western New York Public Broadcasting Association" wned.org
- ^ Klein, Alvin (January 25, 1998). "THEATER; Being Irish And Being Married". The New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E0DD1F38F936A15752C0A96E958260. Retrieved April 30, 2010.
- ^ For Baranski, A Most Meaty Opportunity; In 'Sweeney Todd,' Actress Sinks Her Teeth Into a Singing Role | Article from The Washington Post | HighBeam Research
- ^ Shulman, Randy."Christine Baranski Interview" metroweekly.com, June 8, 2006
- ^ Brantlry, Ben."Adding Love To the Pies' Time-Tested Recipe", New York Times, May 15, 2002
- ^ Gans, Andrew."DIVA TALK: Chatting with Mame's Christine Baranski Plus Wicked News", playbill.com June 16, 2006
- ^ Simonson, Robert."PLAYBILL.COM'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Christine Baranski", playbill.com, May 7, 2008
- ^ Gans, Andrew."Starry A Little Night Music Concert Presented in Manhattan Jan. 12", playbill.com, January 12, 2009
- ^ "3rd Rock from the Sun"; Dick and the Single Girl (1997) — Internet Movie Database
- ^ Christine Baranski: Wasn't Me on 'The Brady Bunch'!
External links
- Christine Baranski at the Internet Movie Database
- Christine Baranski at AllRovi
- Christine Baranski at the Internet Broadway Database
- Christine Baranski at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Christine Baranski at Yahoo! Movies
- Q&A: Christine Baranski
Awards for Christine Baranski Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (1975–2000) Frances Sternhagen (1975) · Rachel Roberts (1976) · Rosemary De Angelis (1977) · Eileen Atkins (1978) · Pamela Reed (1979) · Lois de Banzie (1980) · Swoosie Kurtz (1981) · Amanda Plummer (1982) · Judith Ivey (1983) · Christine Baranski (1984) · Judith Ivey (1985) · Joanna Gleason (1986) · Mary Alice (1987) · Christine Estabrook (1988) · Tovah Feldshuh (1989) · Frances Conroy (1990) · Irene Worth (1991) · Christine Baranski (1992) · Madeline Kahn (1993) · Jane Adams (1994) · Tara FitzGerald (1995) · Elaine Stritch (1996) · Dana Ivey (1997) · Allison Janney (1998) · Anna Friel (1999) · Marylouise Burke (2000)
Complete list · (1975–2000) · (2001–2025) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Comedy Series (1976–2000) Betty White (1976) · Mary Kay Place (1977) · Julie Kavner (1978) · Sally Struthers (1979) · Loretta Swit (1980) · Eileen Brennan (1981) · Loretta Swit (1982) · Carol Kane (1983) · Rhea Perlman (1984) · Rhea Perlman (1985) · Rhea Perlman (1986) · Jackée Harry (1987) · Estelle Getty (1988) · Rhea Perlman (1989) · Bebe Neuwirth (1990) · Bebe Neuwirth (1991) · Laurie Metcalf (1992) · Laurie Metcalf (1993) · Laurie Metcalf (1994) · Christine Baranski (1995) · Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1996) · Kristen Johnston (1997) · Lisa Kudrow (1998) · Kristen Johnston (1999) · Megan Mullally (2000)
Complete List · (1953–1975) · (1976–2000) · (2001–2025) Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (1994–2009) Helen Hunt (1994) · Christine Baranski (1995) · Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1996) · Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1997) · Tracey Ullman (1998) · Lisa Kudrow (1999) · Sarah Jessica Parker (2000) · Megan Mullally (2001) · Megan Mullally (2002) · Megan Mullally (2003) · Teri Hatcher (2004) · Felicity Huffman (2005) · America Ferrera (2006) · Tina Fey (2007) · Tina Fey (2008) · Tina Fey (2009)
Complete list · (1994–2009) · (2010–2029)Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (1976–2000) Shirley Knight (1976) · Trazana Beverley (1977) · Ann Wedgeworth (1978) · Joan Hickson (1979) · Dinah Manoff (1980) · Swoosie Kurtz (1981) · Amanda Plummer (1982) · Judith Ivey (1983) · Christine Baranski (1984) · Judith Ivey (1985) · Swoosie Kurtz (1986) · Mary Alice (1987) · L. Scott Caldwell (1988) · Christine Baranski (1989) · Margaret Tyzack (1990) · Irene Worth (1991) · Brid Brennan (1992) · Debra Monk (1993) · Jane Adams (1994) · Frances Sternhagen (1995) · Audra McDonald (1996) · Lynne Thigpen (1997) · Anna Manahan (1998) · Elizabeth Franz (1999) · Blair Brown (2000)
Complete list · (1947–1975) · (1976–2000) · (2001–2025) Categories:- 1952 births
- Living people
- American film actors
- American people of Polish descent
- American television actors
- Drama Desk Award winners
- Emmy Award winners
- Mame
- Actors from New York
- People from Buffalo, New York
- Tony Award winners
- Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
