Estelle Parsons Headshot

Estelle Parsons

Birth Place: Lynn, MA, USA

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Estelle Parsons BIO

Parsons was last seen on Broadway in The Velocity of Autumn for which she received her fifth Tony Award nomination. Although she has spent most of her professional life in the theatre, she is most widely known for her Academy Award-winning performance in Bonnie and Clyde, and her decade-long, recurring role of Beverly, mother of the title character in the hit sitcom Roseanne.

In the theatre, she has appeared in plays by the great writers of our time, including Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, Dario Fo, and Horton Foote. She appeared in Roberto Athayde's classic Miss Margarida's Way on Broadway, all over the United States and in London, Dublin, Turkey and Australia. She starred in August, Osage County by Tracy Letts on Broadway for a year and on the road for a year. Recently she played in Good People by David Lindsay-Abair and the Gershwin musical, Nice Work if You Can Get It, with Matthew Broderick. Her most recent New York City appearance was at Playwrights Horizons in Michael Friedman's musical Unknown Soldier which was interrupted by the pandemic. As a director, she created the New York Shakespeare Festival Players for Joseph Papp in the 1980s. She is a lifetime member of the Actors Studio and was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2004.

Estelle Parsons Photos

Estelle Parsons STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Playwrights Horizons Off-Broadway Premiere, 2020
Lucy Anderson

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater's Off-Broadway Revival, 2019
Die Alte

[Off-Broadway]
World Premiere Off-Broadway Production, 2016
Evelyn

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Alexandra

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2012
Millicent Winter

[Broadway]
Manhattan Theatre Club Production, 2011
Dottie

[West End]
London Revival, 2010
Helga ten Dorp

[US Tour]
National Tour, 2009
Violet Weston

[Off-Broadway]
2007
Performer [Replacement]

[Milburn, NJ (Regional)]
Paper Mill Production, 2005
Maude

[Off-Broadway]
2004
Performer

[Broadway]
Lincoln Center Revival, 2002
Cora Swanson

[Off-Broadway]
2000
Fannie Mae Gossett

[Off-Broadway]
1996
Grace Stiles

[Broadway]
1994
Felicity

[Broadway]
1992
Denny

[Broadway]
1990
Miss Margarida

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Goya

[Off-Broadway]
1989
Martha Mitchell

[Off-Broadway]
1983
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Transfer, 1981
Ruth

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1980
Performer

[Broadway]
1977
Miss Margarida

[Off-Broadway]
1977
Miss Margarida

[Broadway]
1977
Dede Cooper

[Broadway]
1974
Mert

[Off-Broadway]
1973
Guinevere

[Broadway]
1971
Catherine Reardon

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 1970
Widow Begbick

[Off-Broadway]
1970
Leocadia Begbick

[Off-Broadway]
1969
Aase

[Broadway]
1968
Myrtle

[Broadway]
1967
Performer

[Broadway]
1967
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
1966
Mrs. Goldman (Suburban Tragedy)

Shirley (Princess)

[Broadway]
1966
A street walker, Madame Rosita

Laureen

[Broadway]
1964
Felicia

[Off-Broadway]
1963
Lizzie

[Broadway]
Unknown, 1963
Mother Courage (Understudy)

Yvette Pottier (Understudy)

[Off-Broadway]
1962
Mrs. Dally (Mrs. Dally)

[Off-Broadway]
1961
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1960
Ollie

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Original Off-Off-Broadway Production, 1959
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1958
Reservation Resident

Reservation Resident

Glenda Swenson (Understudy)

Mrs. Kellenbach (Understudy)

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1956
Singer

Mary Mills

[Broadway]
1969
Performer

Estelle Parsons Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2003]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1986]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1983]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 1973]
General Manager/Press

Estelle Parsons Awards and Nominations


winner
- 2017 - Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees

Estelle Parsons

Drama League Awards - 2014 - Distinguished Performance Award

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2014 - Outstanding Actress in a Play

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play

Estelle Parsons, Good People

Helen Hayes Awards - 2010 - Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production

Estelle ParsonsAugust: Osage County

Tony Awards - 2002 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons, Morning's at Seven

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Solo Performance

Estelle Parsons, Orgasmo Adulto Escapes from the Zoo


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1978 - Unique Theatrical Experience

Estelle Parsons, Miss Magarida's Way

Tony Awards - 1978 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons , Miss Margarida's Way

Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons , And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little

Tony Awards - 1969 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Estelle Parsons, Seven Descents of Myrtle


winner
Obie Awards - 1964 - Performance

Estelle Parsons, Next Time I'll Sing To You


winner
Obie Awards - 1964 - Performance

Estelle ParsonsIn the Summer House


winner
Theatre World Awards - 1963 - Performance

Estelle ParsonsMrs. Dally Has a Lover

Estelle Parsons Videos

Estelle Parsons News


Abingdon Theatre Company Reveals Upcoming Work in 31st Season Around The Table Reading Series


Abingdon Theatre Company has announced two of the upcoming pieces they are developing through their Around the Table Reading Series.

Cast Set For AMERICAN ROT at La MaMa


AMERICAN ROT – a new play by Kate Taney Billingsley, directed by Estelle Parsons – will be given its world-premiere production at La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre. Find out who is starring in the production here!

RPR Productions Presents BIG MAMA AND ME At Episcopal Actors Guild In NYC


Richarda Abrams' new play, 'Big Mama and Me,' explores the intergenerational relationship between a grandmother and granddaughter. Set in the South and Midwest, the play tells the story of Big Mama, a patented inventor and accomplished composer, and the impact she had on those around her. Presented by RPR Productions, the world premiere runs from March 6-9 at the Episcopal Actors Guild in NYC. Featuring music direction by Amina Claudine Myers and co-production by Peggy Abrams.

Abingdon Theatre Company Selects Four Playwrights to Showcase the Month of February


Abingdon Theatre Company has announced the four playwrights that they will highlight during the month of February, as a part of their Virtual Festival of Short Plays.

Talia Suskauer, Kimberly Marable, Carrie St. Louis, Rashidra Scott & More to Star in DIVIDED Concert


The cast has been set for Abingdon Theatre Company's next Broadway on the Bowery event, a concert performance of Divided, a new musical composed by Kristen Rosenfeld with book and lyrics by Luanne Rosenfeld.

Frog & Peach Theatre Company Performs KING LEAR This Month


Frog & Peach Theatre Company has announced their upcoming production of William Shakespeare's King Lear. Known for their thrilling and accessible adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, Frog & Peach Theatre Company will captivate audiences once again with their rendition of this startlingly relevant tragedy.

La MaMa ETC to Begin 2024 With HUMANISMO PROJECT


La MaMa ETC will begin 2024 with the debut of its HUMANISMO PROJECT – a two-part series featuring new, contemporary adaptations of Aristotle and Euripides’ Medea – this winter and spring, it has been announced by Mia Yoo, La MaMa’s Artistic Director.

Abingdon Theatre Company's Broadway on the Bowery Series Continues with the Music of DIVIDED


Abingdon Theatre Company will present their next Broadway on the Bowery event, a concert performance of Divided, a new musical composed by Kristen Rosenfeld with book and lyrics by Luanne Rosenfeld. The performance will be directed by Jim Cooney with musical direction by Robbie Cowan.

Christine Toy Johnson to Present A LITTLE MORE BLUE at Riverside Theatre


Abingdon Theatre Company is partnering with Christine Toy Johnson’s A Little More Blue as part of their DMW Greer One Night Only Series

Photos: First Look at Judy Kaye and More in 'TIL DEATH at Abingdon Theatre Company


Abingdon Theatre Company has released all new photos from the Off-Broadway premiere of ’Til Death written by Elizabeth Coplan and directed by Chad Austin. Starring Two-Time Tony Award Winner Judy Kaye, Tony Award Nominee Robert Cuccioli, with Michael Lee Brown, Dominick LaRuffa Jr., Whitney Morse, and Amy Hargreaves.

Jeff Cohen's SQUEAKY Will Receive Developmental Readings This Month


As part of its new Building the Box Developmental Reading Series, Out of the Box Theatrics will present readings of SQUEAKY, a poignant autobiographical comedy by Drama Desk Award winner Jeff Cohen.

Photos: First Look at the Cast of 'TIL DEATH at Abingdon Theatre Company


Get a first look at all new photos of the cast of Abingdon Theatre Company’s  Off-Broadway Premiere of ’Til Death starring Two-Time Tony Award Winner Judy Kaye, Tony Award Nominee Robert Cuccioli, with Michael Lee Brown, Dominick LaRuffa Jr., Whitney Morse, and Amy Hargreaves. Check out the photos here!

Palm Beach Dramaworks to Present THE PERLBERG FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS


Palm Beach Dramaworks presents the Perlberg Festival of New Plays, featuring a lineup of exciting new works. Don't miss this opportunity to experience innovative and thought-provoking theater.

Listen: Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons & More Star in Broadway Podcast Network's AROUND THE SUN Podcast


Discover the star-studded cast of Broadway Podcast Network's 'Around the Sun' podcast, featuring Estelle Parsons, François Clemmons, and more. Listen to the highly anticipated Season 3 premiere now.

Raue Center School For The Arts Will Host Three Fall Classes


 Raue Center has announced the return of its School for the Arts education program (RCSA) with three new classes. 

Playwrights' Theatre Of East Hampton to Present Concert Staging Of A MILONGA FOR GABRIEL ISSACS


Join in for a concert staging of the new comedy with music 'A Milonga for Gabriel Issacs' on October 21 at 7:30 p.m. Written by John McCaffrey and Mark Singer, directed by Paul Lincoln, and featuring music by The Oscar Feldman Trio and live tango by Sandra Antognazzi. Tickets available online.

Judy Kaye and Robert Cuccioli Will Lead Abingdon Theatre Company's Off-Broadway Premiere Of 'TIL DEATH


Abingdon Theatre Company will present the Off-Broadway premiere production of 'Til Death written by Elizabeth Coplan and directed by Chad Austin. Learn more about the upcoming production here!

HERE LIES LOVE SINGS THE SONGS OF J. OCONER, Linda Eder And More Next Week At 54 Below


Next week at 54 Below, the cast of 'Here Lies Love' will be performing the songs of J. Oconer Navar. Don't miss this incredible musical experience!

Norbert Leo Butz, Linda Eder, and More to Play 54 Below Next Month


Check out the lineup of incredible performances at 54 Below this month!

Donna Murphy & Victoria Clark to Join Abingdon Theatre Company's Gala Honoring V and Mary Beth Peil


Two-time Tony Award winners Donna Murphy and Victoria Clark will join the performers honoring Tony & Obie Award winner V (formerly Eve Ensler) and Obie Award winner & Tony Award nominee Mary Beth Peil at their 31st Anniversary Gala.

Estelle Parsons FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Estelle Parsons been in?

Estelle Parsons has appeared on Broadway in 25 shows.

How many West End shows has Estelle Parsons been in?

Estelle Parsons has appeared on London's West End in 1 shows.

What was Estelle Parsons's first West End show?

Estelle Parsons's first West End show was Deathtrap which opened in 2010

What awards has Estelle Parsons been nominated for?

Estelle Parsons has been nominated for several awards throughout her career, including the Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees, Distinguished Performance Award at the Drama League Awards for "The Velocity of Autumn," Outstanding Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "The Velocity of Autumn," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "The Velocity of Autumn," Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Good People," Outstanding Lead Actress in a Non-Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for "August: Osage County," Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Morning's at Seven," Outstanding Solo Performance at the Drama Desk Awards for "Orgasmo Adulto Escapes from the Zoo," Unique Theatrical Experience at the Drama Desk Awards for "Miss Magarida's Way," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Miss Margarida's Way," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Seven Descents of Myrtle," Performance at the Obie Awards for "Next Time I'll Sing To You," Performance at the Obie Awards for "In the Summer House," and Performance at the Theatre World Awards for "Mrs. Dally Has a Lover."

What awards has Estelle Parsons won?

Estelle Parsons has won several awards throughout her career, including the Legend of Off-Broadway Honorees, Unique Theatrical Experience at the Drama Desk Awards for "Miss Margarida's Way," Performance at the Obie Awards for "Next Time I'll Sing To You," Performance at the Obie Awards for "In the Summer House," and Performance at the Theatre World Awards for "Mrs. Dally Has a Lover."

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