Patti Lupone

Patti Ann LuPone was born on April 21, 1949, in Northport, New York, of Italian heritage. Her parents were Orlando Joseph LuPone, a school administrator, and Angela Louise (Patti), a librarian. She was named after her great-grand-aunt, the 19th-century opera singer Adelina Patti. Early in her life, she trained in dance and performed as part of “The Lupone Trio” with her older twin brothers, William and Robert LuPone. A graduate of Northport High School, she attended the Drama Division of The Juilliard School, graduating in its first class in 1972, alongside notable figures like Kevin Kline and David Ogden Stiers.

Following her graduation, LuPone joined The Acting Company in 1972, a classical repertory group formed by John Houseman. She gained significant acting experience, performing in various plays such as “The School for Scandal” (1972), “The Hostage,” and her Broadway debut in “The Three Sisters” (1973). Her career trajectory shifted towards musicals, where she would achieve significant recognition. Key early musical roles included Lucy in “The Beggar’s Opera” (1973), a Tony-nominated performance in “The Robber Bridegroom” (1975), “The Baker’s Wife” (1976), and “Working” (1978).

LuPone’s breakthrough came with the titular role in “Evita” (1979) on Broadway, which earned her a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award. This success paved the way for a career that expanded into film and television. She originated the role of Fantine in the London production of “Les Misérables” in 1985 and was the first American to win an Olivier Award for her work in both “Les Miz” and “The Cradle Will Rock.” She later earned another Tony nomination for “Anything Goes” (1987) as Reno Sweeney. Her notable television roles include Lady Bird Johnson in “LBJ: The Early Years” (1987) and Libby Thatcher in the dramatic series “Life Goes On” (1989-1993), for which she received Emmy nominations. She also appeared in films like “Witness” (1985) and “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989). Throughout the 2000s, LuPone continued to gain acclaim for her performances in Sondheim revivals, including Mrs. Lovett in “Sweeney Todd” (2005) and Rose in “Gypsy” (2008), both earning her further Tony nominations and wins respectively. She has since appeared in various television series, including “American Horror Story” (2013-2014, 2022), “Penny Dreadful” (2014-2016), and “Agatha All Along” (2024), demonstrating a sustained career across diverse platforms.