Karen Akers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karen Akers
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Akers in 1985
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| Born |
October 13, 1945
New York City
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| Alma mater | Hunter College |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Kevin Power
(m. 1993) |
| Children | 2 |
Karen Akers is an American actress and singer. She is well-known for her performances on Broadway stages, in cabaret shows, and in films.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Karen Akers was born in New York City on October 13, 1945. Her father, Heinrick C. Orth-Pallavicini, worked as an insurance consultant. Her mother, Mary Orth-Pallavicini, was a hospital chaplain. Karen grew up in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. She attended Manhattanville College and later graduated from Hunter College.
Karen Akers's Career
Starting in Supper Clubs
Karen Akers began her professional career in 1970. She performed in supper clubs located in Washington, D.C. She also improved her acting skills as an amateur performer. Her first amateur role was in a play called Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris.
From German TV to PBS
In 1978, a filmmaker named Christian Blackwood saw Karen Akers perform. He invited her to record a show for German television in Hamburg. This show, titled "Karen Akers: A Voice From New York," was very popular. It was later shown in the United States on PBS as Presenting Karen Akers.
Broadway Debut in Nine
Karen Akers first appeared on Broadway in the musical Nine. This show was directed by Tommy Tune. It was based on the Federico Fellini film 8½. Karen played Luisa Contini, the wife of a film director.
The musical Nine opened on May 9, 1982. It ran for 732 performances, closing on February 4, 1984. Karen Akers received a Theatre World Award for her excellent performance. She was also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
Film Roles and One-Woman Shows
Starting in 1985, Karen Akers appeared in several movies. She was in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo. She also acted in Heartburn, where she played the mistress of Jack Nicholson's character. In the mid-1980s, Akers also performed in her own one-woman show, An Evening With Karen Akers.
Return to Broadway in Grand Hotel
Karen Akers returned to Broadway in the musical Grand Hotel. This show was based on a novel and a film. In Grand Hotel, she worked again with director Tommy Tune. The show opened on November 12, 1989. It had a long run of 1,018 performances, closing on April 19, 1992.
Music Albums and Languages
In 1991, Karen Akers released an album called Unchained Melodies. On this album, she covered the song "Sooner or Later". This song was originally written for Madonna. Karen Akers is also bilingual, meaning she can sing in both French and English.
Personal Life
Karen Akers married Kevin Patrick Power on September 19, 1993. He was a vice president at a satellite communications company. Their wedding was a Roman Catholic ceremony held at St. Paul's Chapel of Columbia University in New York. This was her second marriage. She has two sons from her first marriage to Jim Akers, which ended in divorce. In April 2000, Karen Akers was living in London.
Film and Television Appearances
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Purple Rose of Cairo | Kitty Haynes |
| 1986 | Heartburn | Thelma Rice |
| 1988 | Vibes | Hillary |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Hart to Hart | Raquel Moskowitz |
| 1985 | The Equalizer | Cynthia |
| 1987 | Cheers | Sally |
| 1991 | Today | Herself |
| 1983–1997 | Great Performances | Herself |
DVD Concert Films
- 2005: Karen Akers: On Stage at Wolf Trap
Partial Discography
- 1981: Presenting Karen Akers
- 1982: Karen Akers
- 1987: In A Very Unusual Way
- 1994: Just Imagine
- 1996: Under Paris Skies
- 1997: Live from Rainbow and Stars
- 2001: Feels Like Home
- 2004: If We Only Have Love
- 2006: Like It Was
- 2008: Simply Styne
