Biography
Bebe Neuwirth first caught attention as a Tony Award-winning musical performer but also enjoyed success as a voice artist, film star and TV actress, most notably with recurring roles in "Cheers" (NBC, 1982-1993) and "Madam Secretary" (CBS, 2014-). Born in Newark, NJ in 1958 to a painter mother and mathematician father, Neuwirth initially pursued a career as a dancer. She studied ballet while attending Juilliard and later showcased her talents in various Princeton Ballet Company productions. She debuted on the Broadway stage in a 1980 production of "A Chorus Line," and would later win Tonys in 1986 and 1997 for performances in "Sweet Charity" and "Chicago," respectively. Her first screen role, Dr. Lilith Sternin, was both her most memorable and longest-running. She portrayed the ice queen in eight seasons of hit sitcom "Cheers" (NBC, 1982-1993), and also reprised the character for 12 episodes of spin-off "Frasier" (ABC, 1993-2004). After making her film debut as guidance counselor Mrs. Evans in "Say Anything" (1989), Neuwirth played Andie MacDowell's best friend Lauren in "Green Card" (1990) and portrayed real-life figures Gloria Allred in "Without Her Consent" (1990) and heiress Countess di Frasso in "Bugsy" (1991). Following a five-episode stint as Oscar-winning actress Tabba Schwartzkopf in sci-fi miniseries "Wild Palms" (ABC, 1993), Neuwirth appeared as detective Dana Harris in "Malice" (1993), Margaret in "Painted Heart" (1993) and aunt Nora in "Jumanji" (1995). Neuwirth also became a regular in the recording booth, voicing Mirage in "Aladdin" (Disney Channel, 1994-95) and angelic wolfhound Annabelle in "All Dogs Go to Heaven" (1996) and its various spin-offs. Neuwirth then played thief Felinet in "The Adventures of Pinocchio" (1996), schemer Camille in "The Associate" (1996) and magazine art director Annie in TV pilot-turned-Oscar-winning short "Dear Diary" (1996). Neuwirth then appeared as hooker Nina in "Celebrity" (1998), Principal Valerie Drake in "The Faculty" (1998), hairdresser Gloria in "Summer of Sam" (1999) and real-life poet Dorothy Parker in Emmy-nominated "Dash and Lilly" (1999) before landing supporting roles in "Getting to Know You" (1999), "Liberty Heights" (1999) and "Cupid and Cate" (2000). Neuwirth then shared top billing in romantic comedy "Tadpole" (2000), played editor Nikki in newsroom drama "Deadline" (NBC, 2000-01) and Faith in vigilante series "Hack" (CBS, 2002-04) and showed up as Kate Hudson's boss in "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days" (2003). Roles as art curator Julia in "Le Divorce" (2003), criminal Alison in "The Big Bounce" (2004) and producer Joanne in "Game 6" (2005) then followed, as did a 13-episode stint as A.D.A. Tracey Kibre in "Law and Order: Trial by Jury" (NBC, 2005-06). Neuwirth then starred opposite Peter Coyote in "Adopt a Sailor" (2008), played literary editor Caroline in "Bored to Death" (HBO, 2009-2011) and portrayed Ms. Kraft in "Fame" (2009). Neuwirth returned to the legal TV drama with the recurring roles of Judge Claudia Friend in "The Good Wife" (CBS, 2009-2016) and NYPD Inspector General Kelly Peterson in "Blue Bloods" (CBS, 2010-). before joining the cast of "Madam Secretary" (CBS, 2014-) as chief-of-staff Nadine Tolliver.
