Biographie

Graduated from Harvard University (specifically, its then female-only Radcliffe College), with a BA in history and literature.

Played a character half her age in Grease (1978).

Provides the voice over for the film about the history of Pearl Harbor shown at the USS Arizona Memorial for the National Park Service.

Won Broadway's 1985 Tony Award as Best Actress (Play) for "A Day In the Death of Joe Egg." This was followed with five other Tony nominations: as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play), in 1986 for "The House of Blue Leaves;" and as Best Actress (Play), in 1991 for "Six Degrees of Separation," a role she recreated in an Oscar-nominated performance in the film version of the same title,Six degrés de séparation (1993), in 1992 for "Four Baboons Adoring the Sun," in 1999 for a revival of "A Lion in Winter," playing Eleanor of Aquitaine, and in 2009 for Best Performance for a Leading Actress in a Musical for the revival of "Pal Joey.".

Auditioned for the role of Lois Lane in Superman (1978), but lost to Margot Kidder.

I lead a very boring, normal life.

I hate parties. I really don't like public events. I hate dressing up. I am the worst celebrity ever!

Acting is such a bizarre way of life. Unless you're really passionate about it, you should give it up. Don't beat yourself up.

Casting can be heartbreaking. Dealing with the disappointment is the hardest part.

I think the end of last year when we were aware of that transition was for everyone in their own way kind of bittersweet, but it's also what the show's about, one administration ends and another begins.