Judith Ivey facts for kids

Judith Lee Ivey (born September 4, 1951) is an American actress and theatre director. She is well-known for her work on stage, in movies, and on television.

Judith Ivey won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play twice. She received these awards for her roles in the plays Steaming (in 1981) and Hurlyburly (in 1984). She was also nominated for other Tony Awards for her performances in Park Your Car in Harvard Yard (1992) and The Heiress.

She started her movie career in 1984 with the romantic comedy The Lonely Guy. She also appeared in other comedy films like The Woman in Red (1984) and Brighton Beach Memoirs (1986). Later, she acted in drama films such as The Devil's Advocate (1997) and Women Talking (2022). On television, Judith Ivey played a main role in the NBC show Down Home (1990-91). She also joined the cast of the CBS sitcom Designing Women as Bonnie Jean "BJ" Poteet for its final season (1992-93). Her role in the TV movie What the Deaf Man Heard (1997) earned her a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Early Life and Education

Judith Lee Ivey was born on September 4, 1951, in El Paso, Texas. Her father, Nathan Aldean Ivey, was a college instructor and dean. Her mother, Dorothy Lee, was a teacher.

From 1965 to 1968, she attended Union High School in Dowagiac, Michigan. She then graduated from Marion High School in Marion, Illinois, in 1970. After high school, she studied at John A. Logan College, Southern Illinois University, and Illinois State University.

Career Highlights

Judith Ivey has had a very successful career in theatre, film, and television.

Theatre Performances

Judith Ivey is well-known for her work on Broadway. She won two Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play. These were for her roles in Steaming in 1983 and Hurlyburly in 1985. She also received nominations for her performances in Park Your Car in Harvard Yard (1992) and a new version of The Heiress (2013).

Her other Broadway shows include Piaf, Bedroom Farce, Blithe Spirit, and Follies. She played the character Amanda in The Glass Menagerie at the Long Wharf Theatre. She later performed this role again in New York and Los Angeles. For this role, she won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Actress. In 2009, Ivey played Ann Landers in a solo play called The Lady with All the Answers. This performance earned her nominations for the Lucille Lortel Award and the Drama Desk Award.

Film Roles

Judith Ivey has appeared in many movies throughout her career. Some of her notable film roles include Brighton Beach Memoirs, Miles from Home, and The Woman in Red. She also acted in Sister, Sister, In Country, and The Lonely Guy.

Later in her career, she appeared in films like The Devil's Advocate, What Alice Found, and Flags of Our Fathers. In 2022, she received praise for her role in the movie Women Talking.

Television Appearances

Many people recognize Judith Ivey from her role as B.J. Poteet in the final season of the popular TV show Designing Women. She also had a main role as Kate McCrorey in the series Down Home from 1990 to 1991.

She played leading roles in other TV series like The 5 Mrs. Buchanans (1994-1995) and Buddies (1996). Judith Ivey was nominated for an Emmy Award for her performance in the TV movie What the Deaf Man Heard. She also lent her voice to the character Eleanor Sherman in the animated series The Critic. She appeared in the miniseries Rose Red, which was written by Stephen King. She also made guest appearances on popular shows like Will & Grace, Grey's Anatomy, Person of Interest, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Personal Life

While studying drama at Illinois State University, Judith Ivey met and married Ricardo Gutierrez in 1973. They later divorced, and she moved to New York in 1978. She is now married to Tim Braine, and they have two children together.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows