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Judith Light

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Judith Light

Judith Ellen Light (born February 9, 1949) is an American actress. She made her professional stage debut in 1970, before making her Broadway debut in the 1975 revival of A Doll's House. Her breakthrough role was in the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live from 1977 to 1983, where she played the role of Karen Wolek; for this role, she won two consecutive Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1980 and 1981. In 2024, Light won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Poker Face. Light starred as Angela Bower in the long-running ABC sitcom Who's the Boss? from 1984 to 1992. Light played the recurring role of Elizabeth Donnelly in the NBC legal crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002–2010) and also played Claire Meade in the ABC comedy-drama Ugly Betty (2006–2010), for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2007. From 2013 to 2014, she played the role of villainous Judith Brown Ryland in the TNT drama series Dallas. In 2014, she began starring as Shelly Pfefferman in the critically acclaimed Amazon Studios dark comedy-drama series Transparent, for which she received several Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Critics' Choice Award nominations. She again received Primetime Emmy and Critics' Choice Award nominations for playing Marilyn Miglin in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story in 2018. In 2019, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Light received her first nomination for a Tony Award in 2011, for her performance in the original Broadway play Lombardi. In 2012 and 2013, she won two consecutive Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play, for her performances in Other Desert Cities and The Assembled Parties.

Infobox

Born
Judith Ellen Light (1949-02-09) February 9, 1949 Trenton, New Jersey, U .
Education
Doane Academy
Alma mater
Carnegie Mellon University (BFA)
Occupation
Actress
Years active
1969–present
Known for
Who's the Boss? One Life to Live Other Desert Cities The Assembled Parties
Spouse
Robert Desiderio (m. 1985)
Awards
Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play Hollywood Walk of Fame
Website
judithlight

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1978
Role(s)
Catherine's Friend
1996
2000
Role(s)
Zuleika
Notes
Voice
2005
Role(s)
Arlene Black
2006
Role(s)
Hilary
2007
Role(s)
Gayle
Notes
Also producer
2012
Role(s)
Herself
Role(s)
The Narrator
2014
Role(s)
Veronika Goss
2015
Role(s)
Jean
Role(s)
Grandma
2018
Role(s)
Val
Role(s)
Judith Montefiore-Salters
2019
Role(s)
Sherrell Ghearhardt
2021
Role(s)
Shirlee Salt
Role(s)
Rosa Stevens
2022
Role(s)
Anne Liebrandt
2023
Role(s)
Sandy
Role(s)
Cookie
2024
Role(s)
Mrs. V.
TBA
Role(s)
Untitled Stephen Merchant film
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1978
Rush It
Catherine's Friend
1996
Paul Monette: The Brink of Summer's End
Herself
A Step Toward Tomorrow
Anna Lerner
2000
Joseph: King of Dreams
Zuleika
Voice
2005
Ira & Abby
Arlene Black
2006
A Broken Sole
Hilary
2007
Save Me
Gayle
Also producer
2012
Rhymes with Banana
Herself
Scrooge & Marley
The Narrator
2014
Last Weekend
Veronika Goss
2015
We'll Never Have Paris
Jean
Digging for Fire
Grandma
2018
Ms. White Light
Val
Hot Air
Judith Montefiore-Salters
2019
Before You Know It
Sherrell Ghearhardt
2021
The Same Storm
Shirlee Salt
Tick, Tick... Boom!
Rosa Stevens
2022
The Menu
Anne Liebrandt
2023
Down Low
Sandy
The Young Wife
Cookie
2024
Out of My Mind
Mrs. V.
TBA
Untitled Stephen Merchant film
Filming
· Filmography › Television films
1983
Intimate Agony
Role(s)
Marsha
1987
Stamp of a Killer
Role(s)
Cathy Proctor
1989
Role(s)
Jeanne White
My Boyfriend's Back
Role(s)
Vickie Vine
1990
In Defense of a Married Man
Role(s)
Laura Simmons
1991
Role(s)
Marie Hilley/Robbi/Teri
1993
Role(s)
Laura MacAffrey
1994
Betrayal of Trust
Role(s)
Barbara Noël
Against Their Will: Women in Prison
Role(s)
Alice Needham
1995
Role(s)
Janice Mitchell
1996
A Strange Affair
Role(s)
Lisa McKeever
Notes
Also co-executive producer
Murder at My Door
Role(s)
Irene McNair
1997
Too Close to Home
Role(s)
Diana Donahue
2026
Role(s)
Ma Gnucci
Notes
Disney+ special
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1983
Intimate Agony
Marsha
1987
Stamp of a Killer
Cathy Proctor
1989
The Ryan White Story
Jeanne White
My Boyfriend's Back
Vickie Vine
1990
In Defense of a Married Man
Laura Simmons
1991
Wife, Mother, Murderer
Marie Hilley/Robbi/Teri
1993
Men Don't Tell
Laura MacAffrey
1994
Betrayal of Trust
Barbara Noël
Against Their Will: Women in Prison
Alice Needham
1995
Lady Killer
Janice Mitchell
1996
A Strange Affair
Lisa McKeever
Also co-executive producer
Murder at My Door
Irene McNair
1997
Too Close to Home
Diana Donahue
2019
Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story
Matron Grady
2026
The Punisher: One Last Kill
Ma Gnucci
Disney+ special
· Filmography › Television series
1977
Role(s)
Laetitia Pomerantz
Notes
Episode: "Monkey on a String"
1977–83
Role(s)
One Life to Live
Notes
Karen Wolek
1983
Role(s)
Barbara Lonnicker
Notes
Episode: "Dog Day Hospital"
Role(s)
Stacey Hughes
Notes
Episode: "Not an Affair to Remember"
1984
Role(s)
—N/a
Notes
Episode: "Home Again"
Role(s)
Clarissa Custer
Notes
Episode: "Dreams of Steele"
You Are the Jury
Role(s)
Elizabeth Harding
Notes
Episode: "The Case of the People of Florida vs. Joseph Landrum"
1984–92
Role(s)
Who's the Boss?
Notes
Angela Bower
1986
Charmed Lives
Role(s)
Angela Bower
Notes
Episode: "Pilot"
1993–94
Role(s)
Phenom
Notes
Dianne Doolan
1996–97
Role(s)
Duckman
Notes
Ursula Bacon "Honey" Chicken
1997
Role(s)
Nurse
Notes
Voice, episode: "Space Cow/The Legend of Sailcat"
1998
Role(s)
Sara Campbell
Notes
7 episodes
2001
Born In Brooklyn
Role(s)
Catherine
Notes
ABC pilot
2002
Role(s)
Christine
Notes
Episode: "O Mother, Where Art Thou?"
2002–10
Role(s)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Notes
Elizabeth Donnelly
2004
Role(s)
Barbara Stone
Notes
9 episodes
2005
Sold
Role(s)
Nancy
Notes
ABC pilot
2006
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Voice, episode: "The Griffin Family History"
Role(s)
Gina
Notes
3 episodes
2006–10
Role(s)
Ugly Betty
Notes
Claire Meade
2011
Role(s)
Maureen Cooper
Notes
Episode: "Rat Falls"
Other People's Kids
Role(s)
Laura
Notes
ABC pilot
Eden
Role(s)
Olivia Sparks
Notes
USA pilot
2012–15
Role(s)
The Exes
Notes
Marjorie
2013–14
Role(s)
Dallas
Notes
Judith Brown Ryland
2014
Role(s)
Louise
Notes
Episode: "Dinner with Tropes"
Role(s)
Sharon Duvall
Notes
Episode: "Reason to Stay"
The Winklers
Role(s)
Tita Winkler
Notes
ABC pilot
2014–19
Role(s)
Transparent
Notes
Shelly Pfefferman
2017
Role(s)
Carolyn Rice
Notes
8 episodes
Role(s)
Judy
Notes
Episode: "Pilot"
Role(s)
Mrs. Wright
Notes
Voice, episode: "My Mischievous Son"
2018
Role(s)
Marilyn Miglin
Notes
2 episodes
Role(s)
Deidre Quinn
Notes
Episode: "Day 492"
2018–19
Role(s)
Queen America
Notes
Regina
2019–20
Role(s)
The Politician
Notes
Dede Standish
2020
Role(s)
Bobi Jewell
Notes
7 episodes
2021
Role(s)
Susan Carpenter-McMillan
Notes
5 episodes
2022
Role(s)
Virginia Mallow
Notes
Episode: "Facelift"
2022–23
Role(s)
Shining Vale
Notes
Joan
Role(s)
Blanche Knopf
Notes
9 episodes
2023
Role(s)
Irene Smothers
Notes
Episode: "Time of the Monkey"
2024
Role(s)
Helen Villigan
Notes
Voice; 6 episodes
Role(s)
Lynn
Notes
Miniseries
2025
Role(s)
Gleenu
Notes
Voice; episode: "The Smuggler"
Role(s)
Sheila Baskin
Notes
2 episodes
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1977
Kojak
Laetitia Pomerantz
Episode: "Monkey on a String"
1977–83
One Life to Live
Karen Wolek
Lead role on daily soap opera
1983
St. Elsewhere
Barbara Lonnicker
Episode: "Dog Day Hospital"
Family Ties
Stacey Hughes
Episode: "Not an Affair to Remember"
1984
The Mississippi
—N/a
Episode: "Home Again"
Remington Steele
Clarissa Custer
Episode: "Dreams of Steele"
You Are the Jury
Elizabeth Harding
Episode: "The Case of the People of Florida vs. Joseph Landrum"
1984–92
Who's the Boss?
Angela Bower
196 episodes
1986
Charmed Lives
Angela Bower
Episode: "Pilot"
1993–94
Phenom
Dianne Doolan
22 episodes
1996–97
Duckman
Ursula Bacon "Honey" Chicken
3 episodes
1997
Cow and Chicken
Nurse
Voice, episode: "Space Cow/The Legend of Sailcat"
1998
The Simple Life
Sara Campbell
7 episodes
2001
Born In Brooklyn
Catherine
ABC pilot
2002
Spin City
Christine
Episode: "O Mother, Where Art Thou?"
2002–10
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Elizabeth Donnelly
25 episodes
2004
The Stones
Barbara Stone
9 episodes
2005
Sold
Nancy
ABC pilot
2006
Family Guy
Herself
Voice, episode: "The Griffin Family History"
Twenty Good Years
Gina
3 episodes
2006–10
Ugly Betty
Claire Meade
55 episodes
2011
Nurse Jackie
Maureen Cooper
Episode: "Rat Falls"
Other People's Kids
Laura
ABC pilot
Eden
Olivia Sparks
USA pilot
2012–15
The Exes
Marjorie
3 episodes
2013–14
Dallas
Judith Brown Ryland
18 episodes
2014
Raising Hope
Louise
Episode: "Dinner with Tropes"
Submissions Only
Sharon Duvall
Episode: "Reason to Stay"
The Winklers
Tita Winkler
ABC pilot
2014–19
Transparent
Shelly Pfefferman
32 episodes
2017
Doubt
Carolyn Rice
8 episodes
I'm Sorry
Judy
Episode: "Pilot"
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero
Mrs. Wright
Voice, episode: "My Mischievous Son"
2018
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Marilyn Miglin
2 episodes
The Good Fight
Deidre Quinn
Episode: "Day 492"
2018–19
Queen America
Regina
3 episodes
2019–20
The Politician
Dede Standish
8 episodes
2020
Manhunt: Deadly Games
Bobi Jewell
7 episodes
2021
Impeachment: American Crime Story
Susan Carpenter-McMillan
5 episodes
2022
American Horror Stories
Virginia Mallow
Episode: "Facelift"
2022–23
Shining Vale
Joan
6 episodes
Julia
Blanche Knopf
9 episodes
2023
Poker Face
Irene Smothers
Episode: "Time of the Monkey"
2024
Kite Man: Hell Yeah!
Helen Villigan
Voice; 6 episodes
Before
Lynn
Miniseries
2025
Star Wars: Visions
Gleenu
Voice; episode: "The Smuggler"
All's Fair
Sheila Baskin
2 episodes
· Filmography › Theatre
1975
Role(s)
Helene
Notes
Vivian Beaumont Theater
1976
Role(s)
Francisca
Notes
Delacorte Theater
Role(s)
Julie Herzl
Notes
Palace Theatre
1999–2000
Role(s)
Wit
Notes
Vivian Bearing
2001
Role(s)
Hedda Gabler
Notes
Shakespeare Theatre Company
2002
Role(s)
Allison Olivier
Notes
Second Stage Theatre
2005
Role(s)
Myra
Notes
Lucille Lortel Theatre
2010–11
Role(s)
Lombardi
Notes
Marie Lombardi
2011–12
Role(s)
Other Desert Cities
Notes
Silda Grauman
2013
Role(s)
Faye
Notes
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
2015
Role(s)
Madame Raquin
Notes
Roundabout Theater at Studio 54
2016
All The Ways To Say I Love You
Role(s)
Faye
Notes
MCC Theater
2017
God Looked Away
Role(s)
Estelle
Notes
Pasadena Playhouse
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1975
A Doll's House
Helene
Vivian Beaumont Theater
1976
Measure for Measure
Francisca
Delacorte Theater
Herzl
Julie Herzl
Palace Theatre
1999–2000
Wit
Vivian Bearing
Union Square Theatre
2001
Hedda Gabler
Hedda Gabler
Shakespeare Theatre Company
2002
Sorrows and Rejoicings
Allison Olivier
Second Stage Theatre
2005
Colder Than Here
Myra
Lucille Lortel Theatre
2010–11
Lombardi
Marie Lombardi
Circle in the Square Theatre
2011–12
Other Desert Cities
Silda Grauman
Booth Theatre
2013
The Assembled Parties
Faye
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
2015
Thérèse Raquin
Madame Raquin
Roundabout Theater at Studio 54
2016
All The Ways To Say I Love You
Faye
MCC Theater
2017
God Looked Away
Estelle
Pasadena Playhouse
· Awards and nominations › Film and television
1979
Role(s)
Outstanding Actress
Notes
One Life to Live
1980
Role(s)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Notes
Won
Soapy Award
Role(s)
Outstanding Actress
Notes
Won
1981
Role(s)
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Notes
Won
1998
Role(s)
Vision Award
Notes
Honouree
2007
Role(s)
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Notes
Ugly Betty
Role(s)
Best Performance in a Comedy Series
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Comedy Guest Actress
Notes
Nominated
Ensemble of the Year
Role(s)
Nominated
Role(s)
Favorite Working Mom
Notes
Who's the Boss?
2008
Role(s)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Notes
Ugly Betty
TV Land Award
Role(s)
Mad Ad Man (or Woman) of the Year
Notes
Who's the Boss?
2015
Role(s)
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Notes
Transparent
2016
Role(s)
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Notes
Nominated
Gold Derby Awards
Role(s)
Comedy Supporting Actress
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Made in New York Award
Notes
Honouree
2017
Role(s)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Notes
Transparent
Gold Derby Awards
Role(s)
Comedy Supporting Actress
Notes
Nominated
2018
Role(s)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Notes
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Gold Derby Awards
Role(s)
Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actress
Notes
Won
Ensemble of the Year
Role(s)
Nominated
2019
Role(s)
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries
Notes
Nominated
Role(s)
Excellence in Acting Award
Notes
Honouree
2020
Role(s)
Outstanding Actress Made for Television Movie / Mini-Series
Notes
Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story
Role(s)
Excellence in Media Award
Notes
Honouree
2023
Role(s)
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Notes
Poker Face (for "Time of the Monkey")
Year
Award
Category
Work
Result
1979
Soapy Award
Outstanding Actress
One Life to Live
Won
1980
Daytime Emmy Award
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Won
Soapy Award
Outstanding Actress
Won
1981
Daytime Emmy Award
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Won
1998
GLAAD Media Award
Vision Award
Honouree
2007
Primetime Emmy Award
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Ugly Betty
Nominated
Prism Award
Best Performance in a Comedy Series
Won
Gold Derby Awards
Comedy Guest Actress
Nominated
Ensemble of the Year
Nominated
TV Land Award
Favorite Working Mom
Who's the Boss?
Nominated
2008
Screen Actors Guild Award
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Ugly Betty
Nominated
TV Land Award
Mad Ad Man (or Woman) of the Year
Who's the Boss?
Nominated
2015
Critics' Choice Television Award
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Transparent
Nominated
2016
Golden Globe Award
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Nominated
Critics' Choice Television Award
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Nominated
Gold Derby Awards
Comedy Supporting Actress
Nominated
Gotham Award
Made in New York Award
Honouree
2017
Primetime Emmy Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Transparent
Nominated
Gold Derby Awards
Comedy Supporting Actress
Nominated
2018
Primetime Emmy Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story
Nominated
Gold Derby Awards
Movie/Limited Series Supporting Actress
Won
Ensemble of the Year
Nominated
2019
Critics' Choice Television Award
Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries
Nominated
Provincetown International Film Festival
Excellence in Acting Award
Honouree
2020
Women's Image Network Awards
Outstanding Actress Made for Television Movie / Mini-Series
Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story
Nominated
GLAAD Media Award
Excellence in Media Award
Honouree
2023
Primetime Emmy Award
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Poker Face (for "Time of the Monkey")
Won

References

  1. Biography
    https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220944/https://www.biography.com/people/judith-light-222414
  2. Cleveland Jewish News
    https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/archives/jewish-stars/article_0f141cc3-3a35-5047-9097-69232b63262a.html
  3. BigThink
    http://bigthink.com/ideas/20624
  4. TVGuide
    https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/judith-light/bio/3000029728/
  5. Inside the Soaps
  6. The Guide to United States Popular Culture
    https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&pg=PA589
  7. "Professional Highlights"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120415094542/http://www.judithlight.com/pdf/Judith-Highlights.pdf
  8. Observer–Reporter
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MPVdAAAAIBAJ&dq=daytime%20emmy&pg=1476%2C558877
  9. "Judith portrays ex-hooker sensitively" by Steven H. Scheuer, Boca Raton News, September 28, 1979. p. 10
  10. St. Joseph Gazette
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Oe1eAAAAIBAJ&dq=daytime%20emmy&pg=1393%2C3636240
  11. "It's 'Wit,' Not Judith, That's Light"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120312/http://www.theatermirror.com/wwtap.htm
  12. New York Post
    https://nypost.com/1999/08/22/style-substance-judith-light/
  13. Variety
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140908140156/http://variety.com/2002/scene/people-news/judith-light-1117861395/
  14. The Stones
    https://variety.com/2004/tv/reviews/the-stones-4-1200534549/
  15. Rotten Tomatoes
    https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10007923-save_me/
  16. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/10/movies/theater-review-new-lead-in-wit-transcends-a-tv-past.html
  17. "2011 Tony Nominations Announced! THE BOOK OF MORMON Leads With 14!"
    http://broadwayworld.com/article/2011-Tony-Nominations-Announced-THE-BOOK-OF-MORMON-Leads-With-14-20110503
  18. Jones, Kenneth. "'Once', 'Clybourne Park', 'Porgy and Bess', Audra McDonald, 'Salesman' Win Tony Awards" Playbill , June
    https://archive.today/20121210193815/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/166897-Once-Clybourne-Park-Porgy-and-Bess-Audra-McDonald-Salesman-Win-Tony-Awards
  19. "The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards"
    https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/the-57th-annual-drama-desk-awards
  20. Deadline
    https://deadline.com/2011/03/natalie-dormer-to-star-in-abcs-poe-112312/
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