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Biography



Bernadette Peters was born to Peter and Marguerite Lazzara on February 28, 1948 in Ozone Park, New York and she has two other siblings, Joseph and Donna. Her professional debut came at the age of three when Bernadette appeared on the TV show, “Juvenile Jury.” As a youngster, she also appeared on the television shows “Name That Tune,” and “The Horn and Hardart Children’s Hour. Her first theatrical experience came when she was in “This is Goggle, which starred James Daly and Kim Hunter. That was followed by “The Most Happy Fella” and “The Penny Friend,” as well as the part of Dainty June in the national touring company of “Gypsy.” All of this, and she was only in her early teens!

Ms. Peters made her Broadway debut in “Johnny No-Trump” in 1967, and then starred again on Broadway a year later in “George M,” which earned her a Theater World Award for her memorable portrayal of Josie Cohan. That same year, she earned a Drama Desk Award for the off Broadway show, “Dames At Sea.” Pretty soon, she was the most sought after actress in musical theater.

Bernadette became one of the brightest stars on Broadway, receiving a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for the hit musical, Song and Dance. That was followed by Tony nominations for “The Goodbye Girl,” “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Mark and Mable,” and “On the Town.” She also earned a Drama Desk nomination for “Into the Woods,” in which she played the witch. But theater isn’t Bernadette’s only talent. She’s also done solo recording, movies, and TV.

She made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall in 1996, which benefited Gay Men’s Health Crisis and then received a Grammy nomination for her solo recording, “Sondheim Etc…Bernadette Peters Live At Carnegie Hall.” She has also released many other solo recordings, her latest being “I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight.”

She’s done numerous television movies, as well as theatrical releases, working with actors such as Steve Martin, Emma Thompson, “Hugh Grant,” “Clint Eastwood,” Brandy,” and “Whitney Houston.” She even received a Golden Globe nomination for the film, ”Pennies From Heaven.” When it comes to television shows, she has appeared in “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Evening at the Pops,” and ”The Muppets Show.”

Bernadette Peters is the youngest performer to be inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame and in 1995, she received the President’s Award at the 11th Annual “Mr. Abbott” Awards Dinner. She appears regularly in concert with prominent symphony orchestras across the country and she resides in New York City, where she lives with her husband, Michael Wittenberg, whom she married on July 20, 1996. Right now, she can be seen playing “Annie Oakley” on Broadway in “Annie Get Your Gun.”