Audra McDonald

Date of Birth: July 3, 1970

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Biography

Audra Ann McDonald is an acclaimed American actress and singer, known for her extraordinary talent across Broadway, television, and film. Born on July 3, 1970, in Berlin, Germany, where her father was stationed with the U.S. Army, she grew up in Fresno, California. Audra’s passion for performing arts was evident from a young age. She attended the Juilliard School, where she studied classical voice and honed her skills. McDonald made her Broadway debut in 1992 in the musical “The Secret Garden,” but it was her role in “Carousel” in 1994 that earned her the first of many Tony Awards. Over the years, she has won six Tony Awards, more than any other actor, across both musical and dramatic categories. Her performance in “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill” as Billie Holiday is particularly notable, showcasing her incredible range and depth as a performer. Apart from her stage work, Audra has appeared in various television series, including “Private Practice” and “The Good Fight.” Her film credits include roles in “Ricki and the Flash” and “Beauty and the Beast.” She is also a distinguished concert and recording artist, known for her rich soprano voice and powerful interpretations of classic and contemporary songs.

5 Interesting Facts about Audra McDonald

1. Audra McDonald is the first and only person to have won Tony Awards in all four acting categories.

2. She was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama in 2016.

3. Audra has performed at the White House multiple times, including for the Obamas and as part of the PBS series “In Performance at the White House.”

4. She is an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and mental health awareness, often using her platform to support these causes.

5. McDonald was the first African American woman to portray Mother Superior in “The Sound of Music Live!” on NBC.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Audra McDonald

1. “I am proud to be a woman and I am proud to be a woman of color. I am proud of my heritage and I am proud of my culture.”

2. “I think that art is a place where we can go to reflect on who we are and who we want to be.”

3. “Theater is reaching out to a community. It’s reaching out to bring people in, to make them feel something, to inspire them.”

4. “You have to find a way to hold on to your morals, your ethics, your soul, and your integrity.”

5. “I am constantly inspired and challenged by the work I do, and I hope to continue to grow as an artist and as a human being.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Audra McDonald’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million.

Children

Audra McDonald has two daughters. Her first daughter, Zoe Madeline Donovan, was born in 2001 from her first marriage to bassist Peter Donovan. She welcomed her second daughter, Sally James McDonald-Swenson, in 2016 with her current husband, actor Will Swenson.