Patti LuPone facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Patti LuPone
Patti LuPone in 2024
Born	(1949-04-21) April 21, 1949 (age 76) Northport, New York, U.S.
Education	Juilliard School (BFA)
Occupation	Actress, singer
Years active	1971–present
Spouse(s)	Matthew Johnston ​ ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	1
Relatives	Robert LuPone (brother) Adelina Patti (great-great aunt)

Patti Ann LuPone (born April 21, 1949) is a famous American actress and singer. She is best known for her amazing performances in musical theater. Patti LuPone has won many awards, including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, and two Grammy Awards. She is celebrated for playing strong and determined women on stage.

She first appeared on Broadway in 1973. Patti LuPone became a huge star for her roles as Eva Perón in Evita and Rose in Gypsy. She also won an award for playing Joanne in the musical Company. On television, she starred in Life Goes On. She has also appeared in popular shows like American Horror Story and Agatha All Along.

Early Life and Training

Patti LuPone was born on April 21, 1949, in Northport, New York. Her parents were Angela Louise and Orlando Joseph LuPone. Her family has Italian roots. A very famous opera singer from the 1800s, Adelina Patti, was her great-great aunt. Patti's older brother, Robert LuPone, was also a talented actor and dancer.

Patti LuPone was part of the first group of students to graduate from Juilliard's Drama Division. She studied there from 1968 to 1972. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1972. Patti is known for her powerful singing voice, especially her strong "Broadway belt." She once said that she sees herself as "an actor who sings."

Patti LuPone's Career Journey

Starting Out in the 1970s

In 1972, Patti LuPone joined The Acting Company. This group traveled around the country performing plays. She was with them until 1976. During this time, she acted in many different shows. Her first time on Broadway was in the play The Three Sisters in 1973.

She received her first Tony Award nomination in 1975. This was for her role in the musical The Robber Bridegroom. Patti also worked often with the famous writer David Mamet. She appeared in several of his plays, showing her skills as a serious actress.

Becoming a Broadway Star with Evita

LuPone became famous for playing Eva Perón in Evita (1979)

In 1979, Patti LuPone became a huge star. She played Eva Perón in the first Broadway production of Evita. This musical was about Eva Perón's life. Many people auditioned for the part, but Patti won it.

Even though she was praised by critics, Patti has said that her time in Evita was very challenging. She felt a lot of pressure. Despite the difficulties, she won her first Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. The song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from the show became one of her most famous songs.

In 1985, Patti LuPone went to London. She created the role of Fantine in the original London production of Les Misérables. For her work in Les Misérables and another play called The Cradle Will Rock, she won an Olivier Award. This is a top theater award in London.

LuPone worked with composer Andrew Lloyd Webber for Evita

She returned to Broadway in 1987. She starred as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes. She received another Tony nomination for this role. Patti also started acting in films and on television. She played Libby Thatcher in the TV drama Life Goes On from 1989 to 1993. She also had a role in Law & Order.

In 1993, Patti LuPone went back to London. She played Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Sunset Boulevard. This was a difficult time for her. She was later replaced in the show. After this, she focused on her one-woman shows and plays. In 1996, she played Maria Callas in the Broadway play Master Class.

Acclaimed Performances in the 2000s

LuPone starred in popular revivals of Stephen Sondheim's musicals Gypsy and Sweeney Todd

In the 2000s, Patti LuPone starred in many revivals of Stephen Sondheim's musicals. These included Sweeney Todd and Gypsy. For her role as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd in 2005, she was nominated for a Tony Award.

In 2007, she starred in the opera Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. The recording of this opera won two Grammy Awards in 2009.

Patti LuPone then played Rose in a new production of Gypsy. This show moved to Broadway in 2008. She won many awards for this performance, including her second Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical. During one performance of Gypsy, she famously stopped the show to tell an audience member to stop using a flash camera. This moment was widely discussed and highlighted her strong feelings about theater etiquette.

Expanding Her Career in the 2010s

LuPone with artist Ken Fallin at a Tony Awards party

In 2010, Patti LuPone starred in the Broadway musical Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. She was nominated for a Tony Award again. That same year, she released her memoir, a book about her life and career. It became a best-seller.

In 2011, she performed in a concert version of Sondheim's musical Company with the New York Philharmonic. She also toured with her former Evita co-star, Mandy Patinkin, in a concert called An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin.

Patti LuPone also took on more film and TV roles. She appeared in the movie Parker in 2013. She also voiced the character Yellow Diamond in the animated series Steven Universe. She was in the TV series American Horror Story and Penny Dreadful.

In 2015, she made headlines again for taking a cell phone from an audience member during a play. She explained that phones can really disrupt a live performance. She believes it's important for audiences to be respectful.

In 2017, Patti LuPone starred in the musical War Paint on Broadway. She played Helena Rubinstein. After this show, she said she might not do musicals on stage anymore because they were so physically demanding. However, she later returned to play Joanne in a London revival of Company in 2018. She won her second Laurence Olivier Award for this role.

Recent Work and Achievements

Patti LuPone on January 13, 2012, outside the Ethel Barrymore Theatre

The London production of Company moved to Broadway in 2021. Patti LuPone starred in it again. She won her third Tony Award for her performance as Joanne. During this show, she also spoke out about audience members not wearing masks correctly. She stressed the importance of following safety rules for everyone's well-being.

In 2023, she played Mona in the film Beau Is Afraid. Critics praised her performance in the movie. She also joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2023. She played Lilia Calderu in the Disney+ series Agatha All Along. Her performance in this series was highly praised.

Patti LuPone is known for her strong opinions and honest way of speaking. She has been called a "diva" by some, but many see her as a powerful and dedicated performer. She is also widely seen as a gay icon. She believes this is because fans connect with her journey of fighting for her identity and acceptance.

Solo Concerts and Tours

Patti LuPone often performs her own solo shows. These include "Matters of the Heart," "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda," and "The Lady With the Torch." Her show "The Lady With the Torch" sold out at Carnegie Hall. She also performs concerts with Mandy Patinkin across North America.

In 2012, she was the first performer at a new cabaret venue called 54 Below in New York City. Critics praised her performances, saying she brings incredible excitement to the stage.

Personal Life

Patti LuPone is married to Matthew Johnston. They got married on December 12, 1988, on the stage of the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Matthew was a cameraman. They have one child together. They live in Edisto Beach, South Carolina, and Kent, Connecticut. In the 1970s, Patti dated actor Kevin Kline for seven years. They met when they were students at Juilliard.

Acting Credits

Theatre

Film

Television

Discography

Patti LuPone has recorded many albums. Here are some of them:

• The Baker's Wife (Original cast recording)
• Evita (Original Broadway cast recording)
• Les Misérables (Original London Cast recording)
• Anything Goes (New Broadway Cast Recording)
• Patti LuPone Live (Solo Album)
• Sunset Boulevard (World Premiere/Original London Cast Recording)
• Matters of the Heart (Solo Album)
• Sweeney Todd (2005 Broadway Cast recording)
• The Lady with the Torch (Solo Album)
• Gypsy (2008 Broadway Revival Cast Recording)
• Patti LuPone At Les Mouches (Live Solo Recording of 1980 club act)
• Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
• Far Away Places (Solo Album)
• Company (New York Philharmonic recording)
• War Paint (Original Broadway cast recording)
• Don't Monkey with Broadway (Solo Album)
• Company (Revival London cast recording)

Her live performance of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from the Grammy Awards was released on an album in 1994. In 2009, her recording of "I Dreamed a Dream" became popular in the UK and US. She also recorded a song with Seth MacFarlane for the Family Guy: Live In Vegas album.

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Patti LuPone para niños