Holland Taylor

Holland Taylor was born on January 14, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the third daughter of Virginia (Davis), a painter, and C. Tracy Taylor, an attorney. She spent her teenage years in Allentown, PA, where she earned the nickname “Penny Taylor” due to her coppery hair. Taylor attended Quaker schools and later majored in drama at Bennington College, graduating in 1964. After moving to New York City with aspirations of becoming a Broadway star, she dedicated herself to theater for fifteen years.

Taylor’s career expanded into television and film, notably with her breakout role as Ruth Dunbar in the sitcom “Bosom Buddies” (1980–82) alongside Tom Hanks, a role encouraged by her acting coach Stella Adler. This led to further opportunities, including her part in the movie “Romancing the Stone” (1984). She gained significant recognition and critical acclaim for her portrayal of Judge Roberta Kittleson on ABC’s “The Practice” (1998–2003), earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1999. Her television credits also include four Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her role as Evelyn Harper on “Two and a Half Men” (2003–15). Her film work includes “Legally Blonde” (2001) and “The Truman Show” (1998).

Beyond her extensive screen roles, Taylor has maintained a strong presence in theater. She wrote and starred in the critically praised one-woman play “Ann” (2013), based on the life of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play. Her commitment to her craft is evident in her long and varied career, marked by a consistent ability to inhabit diverse characters in both comedic and dramatic roles.