Who is Audra McDonald?
Audra Ann McDonald is a well-renowned Broadway star, opera singer, and film & television actress. She holds the record for the most Tony Awards won by a performer and is the only actor on Broadway to have won one in all four categories of performance. Her incredible voice has won her two Grammy Awards for Best Classical Album and Best Opera Recording. Additionally she’s known for her roles in the television series Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett and The Good Wife as Liz Reddick and for her roles in the films Beauty and the Beast and the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect. Among her many awards she holds a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program. President Barack Obama awarded her the National Medal of Arts in 2016, and in 2017 she secured her place in the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Aside from being revered as the great actress Audra McDonald and an icon of musical theater, she is also known for her activism and charitable work. She is proud to be part of organizations like Black Theatre United and Covenant House International, and is one of the artists featured on the 2018 “Singing You Home” record, which benefits the organizations RAICES and Arts Ignite. Among her many accolades for her great performances, she also received the Beacon of Hope Award from Covenant House in 2018. Her work has been said to challenge racial stereotypes through her engaging portrayals of traditionally white roles. Fans can hardly wait to see her in the upcoming revival of Gypsy on Broadway.