Audra McDonald

Audra McDonald (born Audra Ann McDonald) is a Tony-winning actress and singer known for her work on Broadway and in television series like The Good Fight and Private Practice. Raised in Fresno, California, she began studying music at a young age. She later attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she earned a degree in classical voice.

McDonald made her Broadway debut in The Secret Garden in 1992 and rose to prominence with her performance in Carousel (1994), winning the Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She quickly became a fixture on the Broadway stage, winning additional Tony Awards for her roles in Master Class, Ragtime and A Raisin in the Sun. Her early television work included roles on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Homicide: Life on the Street.

McDonald is the most decorated performer in Tony Awards history, with six wins across all four acting categories. Her notable stage credits include Porgy and Bess, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill and Ohio State Murders. On screen, she appeared in Respect (2021), The Gilded Age and the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast (2017).

From 2007 to 2013, she played the role of Dr. Naomi Bennett on the medical drama Private Practice. She also earned an Emmy for hosting Live From Lincoln Center and has released several solo albums, including Go Back Home (2013) and Sing Happy (2018).

The actress was married to musician Peter Donovan, with whom she shares a daughter Zoe (born in 2001), from 2000 to 2009. She married actor Will Swenson in 2012. The couple welcomed daughter Sally in 2016 and co-parent Swenson’s two sons from a previous relationship.