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Birthday:
07-15-1979
(45 years)
Birthplace:
New York City, New York, USA
Biography
Laura Benanti (born July 15, 1979) is an American actress and singer.
Over the course of her Broadway career, she has received five Tony Award nominations. She played Louise in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, winning the 2008 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. In 2016 she starred in She Loves Me as Amalia Balash, which was televised.
She played Elsa Schräder in the 2013 NBC television production of The Sound of Music Live!, appeared as Sadie Stone in Nashville in 2014 and 2015 and that same year began playing twin sisters Alura and Astra in the TV series Supergirl. Beginning in 2017, Benanti appeared as Edie Randall in the TBS comedy The Detour. Since 2016, she has had a recurring role as First Lady Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Over the course of her Broadway career, she has received five Tony Award nominations. She played Louise in the 2008 Broadway revival of Gypsy, winning the 2008 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. In 2016 she starred in She Loves Me as Amalia Balash, which was televised.
She played Elsa Schräder in the 2013 NBC television production of The Sound of Music Live!, appeared as Sadie Stone in Nashville in 2014 and 2015 and that same year began playing twin sisters Alura and Astra in the TV series Supergirl. Beginning in 2017, Benanti appeared as Edie Randall in the TBS comedy The Detour. Since 2016, she has had a recurring role as First Lady Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
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Their works
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She Loves Me: Behind the Curtain
Act like Self
event2017
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Step into Maraczek's and tour behind-the-scenes of She Loves Me, including interviews with the cast, crew, and production team. Laura Benanti, Gavin Creel, Jane Krakowski, and Zachary Levi give a peek at what it's like to star in this Tony Award-winning revival. You'll feel like you're in their shoes as you experience the show from their shoes. (Note: Vanilla ice cream not provided!)
Take the Lead
Act like Tina
event2006 star_border 6.9
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A former professional dancer volunteers to teach dance in the New York public school system and, while his background first clashes with his students' tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Based on the story of ballroom dancer, Pierre Dulane.
tick, tick... BOOM!
Act like Judy
event2021 star_border 7.6
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On the brink of turning 30, a promising theater composer navigates love, friendship and the pressure to create something great before time runs out.
Meskada
Act like Allison Connor
event2010 star_border 4.8
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Small-town detective Noah Cordin is called to solve a juvenile homicide that occurred during a home burglary in his affluent town of Hilliard. The dead boy's mother, Allison Connor, is a member of the Meskada County Board of Commissioners, and a powerful woman in Hilliard; and the entire township rallies together in solidarity - to support her and Detective Cordin's efforts to find the killers.
Reopening: The Broadway Revival
Act like Self
event2022
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Go behind the scenes of Broadway as shows reunite, rehearse and re-stage for their long-awaited reopening nights while the theater industry learns how to turn the lights back on after its longest hiatus in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goodrich
Act like Naomi
event2024 star_border 6.1
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Andy Goodrich's life is upended when his wife enters a rehab program, leaving him on his own with their young kids. Goodrich leans on his daughter from his first marriage, Grace, as he ultimately evolves into the father Grace never had.
Sondheim! The Birthday Concert
Act like Self
event2010 star_border 8
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Join us for a rousing celebration of the life and works of one of Broadway's greatest legends — the one and only Stephen Sondheim. For the master composer and lyricist's 80th birthday, many of musical theater's brightest stars gathered in March of 2010 to perform more than two dozen sensational numbers from Sondheim's illustrious career, and several of these enduring songs are performed by the original Broadway cast members. David Hyde Pierce hosts this magical event with Stephen Sondheim's longtime collaborator Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic. Originally broadcast as an episode of the PBS series "Great Performances" (season 38, episode 2).
The Sound of Music Live!
Act like Baroness Elsa Schrader
event2013 star_border 6.3
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The Sound of Music Live! is a television special that was originally broadcast by NBC on December 5, 2013. Produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the special was an adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway musical The Sound of Music, starring country singer Carrie Underwood as Maria von Trapp, performed and televised live from Grumman Studios in Bethpage, New York. Meron felt that if the telecast were successful, the concept could become "another kind of entertainment that can exist on TV." By her request, Underwood's casting as Maria was personally endorsed by Julie Andrews, who starred in the 1965 film.
Becoming Benanti: The Role of a Lifetime
Act like Self (pre-recorded video)
event2022
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A one woman show written and performed by Kayla Capone Kasper where she auditions for the role of a lifetime, Laura Benanti.
No Hard Feelings
Act like Allison Becker
event2023 star_border 6.8
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On the brink of losing her childhood home, Maddie discovers an intriguing job listing: wealthy helicopter parents looking for someone to “date” their introverted 19-year-old son, Percy, before he leaves for college. To her surprise, Maddie soon discovers the awkward Percy is no sure thing.
The Shade
Act like Renee Beckman
event2024 star_border 4.9
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Twenty-year-old Ryan struggles with a debilitating anxiety disorder following his father's death. Together with his two brothers, he must fight to break the destructive cycle threatening their family as ancient darkness closes in on them.
Falling for Grace
Act like Alexandra
event2006 star_border 5.2
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Grace is a Chinese American who longs to be a part of New York's high society. At a socialite event, she is mistaken for a Hong Kong heiress and meets her Prince Charming. Nothing is as it seems absorbing drama. What will happen to this Cinderella when the clock strikes midnight?
She Loves Me
Act like Amalia
event2016 star_border 7.7
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Amalia and Georg work together at a modest Hungarian perfumerie, and have disliked each other from the very beginning. He thinks she's stuck up, and she thinks he's arrogant and mean. But each rapturously writes to a lonely hearts pen pal when the workday is done, and it doesn't take long for the audience to see that they're in love without realizing it. Originally live-streamed by BroadwayHD, then broadcast as an episode of the PBS series "Great Performances" (season 45, episode 3).
Stephen Colbert's Live Election Night Democracy's Series Finale
Act like Melania Trump
event2016 star_border 5.8
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Late night host Stephen Colbert leads a live 2016 election night special of anything-goes political satire and social commentary. Featuring real-time reactions as the results come in, plus an eclectic group of guests to break it all down.
Everything's Going to Be Great
Act like Tallulah Bankhead
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A movie about a valentine to big dreamers whose dreams won’t necessarily come true. Individuality vs. conformity, fantasy vs. reality; but mostly, it’s about family. As the Smart family move from one state to the next, they cope with loss and struggle with identity, all while performing in regional theater.
Tangled: Before Ever After
Act like Lady Caine (voice)
event2017 star_border 6.8
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Rapunzel grapples with the responsibilities of being a princess and the overprotective ways of her father. While she wholeheartedly loves Eugene, Rapunzel does not share his immediate desire to get married and settle down within the castle walls. Determined to live life on her own terms, she and her tough-as-nails Lady-in-Waiting Cassandra embark on a secret adventure where they encounter mystical rocks that magically cause Rapunzel's long blonde hair to grow back. Impossible to break and difficult to hide, Rapunzel must learn to embrace her hair and all that it represents.
Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards
Act like Cinderella (segment "Into the Woods") (archive footage)
event2005 star_border 7.2
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Broadway royalty and Tony-winners Tommy Tune, Carol Channing, Robert Goulet, and Harvey Fierstein are your hosts for this third compilation of great musical performances from the archives of the Tony Award® broadcasts. Legendary stars from legendary shows strut their stuff in 23 performances that have become part of Broadway history.
Worth
Act like Karen Donato
event2021 star_border 6.7
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Kenneth Feinberg, a powerful D.C. lawyer appointed Special Master of the 9/11 Fund, fights off the cynicism, bureaucracy, and politics associated with administering government funds and, in doing so, discovers what life is worth.
Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration
Act like Self - Performer
event2020 star_border 7.6
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To celebrate the 90th birthday of Broadway songwriting great Stephen Sondheim, an A-list group of performers sing songs of inspiration from his songbook in a concert event filmed in their homes. Hosted and co-produced by Raúl Esparza, the acclaimed one-night-only event was created as a benefit for ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty).
Here Today
Act like Francine
event2021 star_border 7
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Veteran comedy writer Charlie Berns, who is slowly but surely losing his grip on reality, befriends a talented young New York street singer Emma Payge. Together, they form an unlikely yet hilarious and touching friendship that kicks the generation gap aside and redefines the meaning of love and trust.
Laura Benanti: Live From the West Side
event2020
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Streamed live from New York’s Shubert Virtual Studios, the show will feature a mix of Broadway show tunes, pop songs, and personal stories from Laura’s life.
Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020
Act like Self - Host
event2020 star_border 6
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Inspired by the viral success of Tony-winner Laura Benanti's #sunshinesongs, this feel-good docu-special spotlights a talented group of high school seniors as they give show-stopping performances from home to capture their 2020 experiences.
Russian Broadway Shut Down
event2014
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Citing homosexual propaganda law, Russian government outlaws theatrical performances ; Russian Broadway community responds.
Kinda Pregnant
Act like Daisy's Mom
event2025 star_border 5.5
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When Lainy's plan to settle down and start a family falls apart, she puts on a fake baby bump, tells a lie — and accidentally falls for her dream guy.
Eli Stone
(3 ep.)
event2008 star_border 6.8
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Many lawyers consider themselves prophets, but Eli Stone may be the real deal. Eli has built a successful career at a top law firm in San Francisco representing only the biggest and richest corporations that make a habit of screwing over the little guy. But after experiencing a series of odd hallucinations, Eli seeks to find a deeper meaning to life while trying not to lose his job and destroy his relationship with the bosses' daughter. When Eli discovers an aneurysm in his brain, he wonders if his condition is truly medical or if perhaps he now has a higher calling.
Starved
Act like Billie Frasier (7 ep.)
event2005 star_border 4.3
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Starved is an FX Network television situation comedy that aired for one season of seven episodes in 2005. The series was about four friends who each suffer from eating disorders, who met at a "shame-based" support group called Belt Tighteners. Its characters included those with bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder. Eric Schaeffer created the show as well as writing, starring in and directing it, based upon his own struggle with eating disorders. In addition to his own life experiences, Schaeffer also drew upon the experiences of the other members of the principal cast, each of whom coincidentally had struggled with food issues of their own.
Starved was the lead-in of FX's hour-long "Other Side of Comedy" block with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. FX executives wanted to use the two series to begin building comedy programming and broaden the network's demographic. The series debuted on August 4, 2005 to poor critical reviews and was cancelled in October 2005, when FX picked Sunny over Starved for renewal.
Tamron Hall
Act like Self - Guest (1 ep.)
event2019 star_border 5.1
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Former news host and journalist Tamron Hall discusses all things topical and engages those she interviews in thorough meaningful and entertaining conversations.
Supergirl
Act like Alura Zor-El / Astra (7 ep.)
event2015 star_border 7.3
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Twenty-four-year-old Kara Zor-El, who was taken in by the Danvers family when she was 13 after being sent away from Krypton, must learn to embrace her powers after previously hiding them. The Danvers teach her to be careful with her powers, until she has to reveal them during an unexpected disaster, setting her on her journey of heroism.
Younger
Act like Quinn Tyler (18 ep.)
event2015 star_border 6.8
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Liza Miller, a suddenly single stay-at-home mother, tries to get back into the working world, only to find it’s nearly impossible to start at the bottom at 40-year old. When a chance encounter convinces her she looks younger than she is, Liza tries to pass herself off as 26 and lands a job as an assistant at Empirical Press. Now she just has to make sure no one finds out the secret only she and her best friend Maggie share.
Go On
Act like Lauren Schneider (22 ep.)
event2012 star_border 6.4
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Ryan King, a recent widower and sports talk radio host ready to get back to work after the loss of his wife. Ryan's alpha-male boss, Stephen, has a different plan in store for Ryan, making him attend grief counseling before returning to the air. A reluctant Ryan finds himself in a support group for "life change," where he meets an oddball cast of characters, all with their own backstories filled with varying degrees of loss.
The Playboy Club
Act like Bunny Carol-Lynne (3 ep.)
event2011 star_border 5.5
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It's the early '60s, and the legendary Playboy Club in Chicago is the door to all your fantasies... and the key is the most sought-after status symbol of its time.
Elementary
Act like Anne Barker (1 ep.)
event2012 star_border 7.6
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A modern-day drama about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases. Following his fall from grace in London and a stint in rehab, eccentric Sherlock escapes to Manhattan where his wealthy father forces him to live with his worst nightmare - a sober companion, Dr. Watson.
Tony Awards
Act like Self - Nominee (1 ep.)
event1956 star_border 4.6
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The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre.
Gossip Girl
Act like Kiki Hope (22 ep.)
event2021 star_border 7.4
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Eight years after the original website went dark, a new generation of New York private school teens are introduced to the social surveillance of Gossip Girl.
Ziwe
Act like Jane (1 ep.)
event2021 star_border 5.7
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This variety series from writer, comedian and internet sensation, Ziwe is a no-holds-barred mix of musical numbers, interviews and sketches that challenge America’s discomfort with race, politics, & other cultural issues.
Slugfest
Act like Louise Simonson (10 ep.)
event2021 star_border 6.3
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A chronicle of the growth of comic books as a new American art form exploring the decades-long relationship and rivalry between Marvel and DC Comics.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Act like Maria Grazie (9 ep.)
event1999 star_border 7.9
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In the criminal justice system, sexually-based offenses are considered especially heinous. In New York City, the dedicated detectives who investigate these vicious felonies are members of an elite squad known as the Special Victims Unit. These are their stories.
The Good Wife
Act like Renata Ellard (2 ep.)
event2009 star_border 7.6
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Alicia Florrick boldly assumes full responsibility for her family and re-enters the workforce after her husband's very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail.
The Gilded Age
Act like Susan Blane (3 ep.)
event2022 star_border 7.8
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It’s 1882 and the Gilded Age is in full swing when Marian Brook, a young orphaned daughter of a Southern general, moves in with her rigidly conventional aunts in New York City. With the help of Peggy Scott, an African-American woman masquerading as her maid, Marian gets caught up in the dazzling lives of her rich neighbors as she struggles to decide between adhering to the rules or forging her own path.
Match Game
Act like Self - Panelist (1 ep.)
event2016 star_border 5.8
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A modern reboot of the classic 70s game show that features two contestants attempting to match the answers of six celebrities in a game of fill-in-the-blank.
Would I Lie to You?
Act like Self (1 ep.)
event2022 star_border 4
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This American version of the British comedy panel features team captains joined by a stellar cast of celebrity guests who weave elaborate tales… that may or may not be the truth. Competing teams then ask questions and watch body language to determine which are outrageous but true, and which are made-up stories.
Life on Mars
Act like Denise Carling (1 ep.)
event2008 star_border 6.5
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After a car crash, police detective Sam Tyler mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective.
The Detour
Act like Edie (11 ep.)
event2016 star_border 7
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A what-in-the-living-hell-is-wrong-with-this-family comedy created by comic super-couple Jason Jones & Samantha Bee and inspired by their own experiences with family trips. Unfiltered dad Nate hits the road with wife Robin and kids Delilah and Jared. Every leg of their trip is fraught with disaster as they encounter one hellish turn after another. If there's trouble on the road, this family will find it and plow into it.
Stars in the House
Act like Self (2 ep.)
event2020
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In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic and theatres across the world closing their curtains indefinitely, SiriusXM host Seth Rudetsky and his husband, producer James Wesley have created Stars in the House, a daily live streamed series to support The Actors Fund and its services.
Elsbeth
Act like Nadine Clay (2 ep.)
event2024 star_border 7.2
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After her successful career in Chicago, Elsbeth Tascioni, an astute but unconventional attorney, utilizes her singular point of view to make unique observations and corner brilliant criminals alongside the NYPD.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Act like Self (3 ep.)
event2015 star_border 6.5
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Stephen Colbert brings his signature satire and comedy to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the #1 show in late night, where he talks with an eclectic mix of guests about what is new and relevant in the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, music, technology, and more. Featuring bandleader Jon Batiste with his band Stay Human, the Emmy Award-nominated show is broadcast from the historic Ed Sullivan Theater. Stephen Colbert, Chris Licht, Tom Purcell, and Jon Stewart are executive producers. Barry Julien and Denise Rehrig serve as co-executive producers.must watch
The $100,000 Pyramid
(1 ep.)
event2016 star_border 7.3
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In $100,000 Pyramid, contestants are in teams of two. The goal of the game is to help your partner guess an answer, by listing items that would be included in said answer, or synonymous. For instance, if the answer is “Things That Bounce”, clues would be “Po-Go Sticks”, “Kangaroos”, “Basketballs”, etc. To add to the challenge, the contestant who is giving the clues has their hands strapped to their chair, so they’re unable to gesture in order to help the guessing process.
Royal Pains
Act like Shelby Shackelford (8 ep.)
event2009 star_border 6.8
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A young E.R. doctor who, after being wrongly blamed for a patient's death, moves to the Hamptons and becomes the reluctant "doctor for hire" to the rich and famous. When the attractive administrator of the local hospital asks him to treat the town's less fortunate, he finds himself walking the line between doing well for himself and doing good for others.
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