Editing Judith Light (section)

==Career==

===Early work and breakthrough===
Light made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in ''[[A Doll's House]]'' in 1975.<ref name="biography.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/judith-light-222414|title=Judith Light|website=[[Biography.com]]|publisher=[[A&E Networks]]|access-date=September 8, 2014|quote=Judith Ellen Licht was born on February 9, 1949, in Trenton, New Jersey. Now known as Judith Light...|archive-date=July 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703220944/https://www.biography.com/people/judith-light-222414|url-status=dead}}</ref> She also starred in the 1976 Broadway play ''[[Herzl (play)|Herzl]]''. Light also acted for such theatre companies as the [[Milwaukee Repertory Theater]] and the [[Seattle Repertory Theatre]].<ref name=tvg>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/judith-light/bio/3000029728/|title=Judith Light|website=TVGuide.com}}</ref> In the late 1970s, Light went through a real crisis after a period of not landing any parts.<ref name="bigthink" /> Broke, she almost quit acting, because she felt that she was not contributing to the theater.<ref name="bigthink" />
[[File:Judith Light crop.jpg|thumb|Light at the Governor's Ball following the 1989 Annual Emmy Awards|left|upright]]
In 1977, her agent phoned Light to have her audition for an [[understudy]] role in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[One Life to Live]]''. Not wanting to be attached to a soap opera or a sitcom she initially rejected the idea, until she was told her daily salary would be $350.<ref name="bigthink" /> At the audition she realized that "the format reaches a lot of people". She could "make a difference" and "make money" at the same time.<ref name="bigthink" /> Instead of landing an understudy role, she was recast in the role of [[Karen Wolek]], a role that had previously been portrayed by actresses Kathryn Breech and [[Julia Duffy]]. This role was quite lucrative for Light and spawned one of the show's most-remembered storylines; Light's character became an alcoholic prostitute after she became bored with her life as a housewife. On trial, Karen saved her friend [[Victoria Lord|Viki Lord Riley]] ([[Erika Slezak]]) from being convicted of killing Karen's pimp, [[Marco Dane]] ([[Gerald Anthony]]) by admitting to the entire town, including her faithful husband, [[Larry Wolek|Dr Larry Wolek]] ([[Michael Storm]]), that she had been a prostitute.

Light's portrayal of Karen brought the show critical acclaim and is credited with garnering ''One Life to Live'' [[List of US daytime soap opera ratings#1970s|ratings successes]] from the late 1970s into the early 1980s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Inside the Soaps |last=Denis |first=Paul |year=1985 |publisher=[[Citadel Press]] |location=[[New York City]] |isbn=0-8065-0940-6 |page=103 }}</ref><ref name="Culture">{{cite book |last1=Browne |first1=Ray Broadus |last2=Browne |first2=Pat |year=2001 |title=The Guide to United States Popular Culture |location=[[Madison, Wisconsin]] |publisher=[[University of Wisconsin Press]] |isbn=9780879728212 |page=589 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&pg=PA589 |access-date=26 December 2013}}</ref> Light's dramatic, confessional courtroom performance of a housewife-turned-prostitute on the [[witness box|witness stand]] is regarded as one of the most memorable moments in television by ''[[TV Guide]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.judithlight.com/pdf/Judith-Highlights.pdf|title=Professional Highlights|publisher=Judith Light official website|access-date=28 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415094542/http://www.judithlight.com/pdf/Judith-Highlights.pdf|archive-date=15 April 2012}}</ref> In 1980, this won Light her first [[Daytime Emmy Award]] for [[Daytime Emmy Awards|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series]];<ref name="1980 Win">{{cite news|title='Guiding Light' Wins Top Daytime Emmy|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MPVdAAAAIBAJ&dq=daytime%20emmy&pg=1476%2C558877|access-date=May 18, 2013|newspaper=[[Observer–Reporter]]|date=June 5, 1980|agency=Associated Press|page=8|location=[[Washington County, Pennsylvania]]}}</ref> the scene in which she confessed her guilt in court is held in such high esteem that it is still used in acting classes.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} Light recalled: "I was scared before those courtroom scenes. I was afraid to put myself out that much. With the agony of pulling it out piece by piece and having the prosecutor stick the knife in her gut, I couldn't help but let everything spew out of her."<ref>"Judith portrays ex-hooker sensitively" by Steven H. Scheuer, ''[[Boca Raton News]]'', September 28, 1979. p. 10</ref> Light won another Daytime Emmy Award in the role in 1981.<ref name="1981 Win">{{cite news|title='General Hospital' tops Emmy list|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Oe1eAAAAIBAJ&dq=daytime%20emmy&pg=1393%2C3636240|access-date=May 18, 2013|newspaper=[[St. Joseph Gazette]]|date=May 20, 1981|agency=Associated Press|page=104|location=[[St. Joseph, Missouri]]}}</ref>

She appeared in an episode of ''[[St. Elsewhere]]'' in its first season, called "Dog Day Hospital", in which she played a housewife who became pregnant for the ninth time even though her husband claimed he had had a vasectomy. In an effort to punish the doctor who botched the job she took an operating room hostage though it was later revealed that her husband had not had the procedure.

=== Continued success and film expansion ===
After her success on daytime television, Light landed the leading role of assertive advertising executive Angela Bower on the ABC sitcom ''[[Who's the Boss?]]''.<ref name="biography.com" /> Co-starring [[Tony Danza]], who played her housekeeper (and eventual boyfriend), the show ran for eight seasons from 1984 to 1992. The series was successful in the ratings, consistently ranked in the top ten in the final primetime ratings between the years of 1985 and 1989, and has since continued in syndication. ''TV Guide'' ranked ''Who's the Boss?'' as the 109th best sitcom of all time.{{citation needed|date=February 2015}} Along with her work in ''Who's the Boss?,'' she starred in several television films, including ''Stamp of a Killer'' (1987) alongside [[Jimmy Smits]]; and the critically acclaimed biographical drama ''[[The Ryan White Story]]'' (1989), in which she played the mother of [[HIV/AIDS]] positive teenager [[Ryan White]]. [[File:Judith Light headshot.jpg|thumb|Light in 2007|upright]]
Light appeared in ''[[Wife, Mother, Murderer]]'' (1991), in which she played [[Audrey Marie Hilley]]. After ''Who's the Boss?,'' Light starred in another ABC sitcom, ''[[Phenom (TV series)|Phenom]]'', which ran for one season, 1993–94, before being canceled. In 1998 she starred in another short-lived sitcom, ''[[The Simple Life (1998 TV series)|The Simple Life]]'' on [[CBS]].<ref name="biography.com" /> She spent most of the 1990s starring in made-for-TV and feature films including ''[[Men Don't Tell]]'' and 1997's ''Too Close to Home'', which co-starred [[Ricky Schroder]]. In 1999, Light returned to the stage in the off-Broadway production of [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning play ''[[Wit (play)|Wit]]''. She earned strong reviews for her portrayal of Vivian Bearing, a university professor battling ovarian cancer, and reprised the role for the national tour.<ref name="biography.com" /><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.theatermirror.com/wwtap.htm | title=It's 'Wit,' Not Judith, That's Light | publisher=Theater Mirror | date=1999 | access-date=8 September 2014 | author=Alan W. Petrucelli | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120312/http://www.theatermirror.com/wwtap.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref> Light shaved her head for the role in the play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/1999/08/22/style-substance-judith-light/|title=Style & Substance: Judith Light|work=New York Post|date=August 22, 1999|access-date=8 September 2014|author=Farrah Weinstein}}</ref>

Light returned to television with the recurring role of [[Elizabeth Donnelly|Judge Elizabeth Donnelly]] in the [[NBC]] legal crime drama ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|date=February 25, 2002|title=Judith Light|url=https://variety.com/2002/scene/people-news/judith-light-1117861395/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908140156if_/https://variety.com/2002/scene/people-news/judith-light-1117861395/|archive-date=8 September 2014|access-date=8 September 2014|work=Variety}}</ref> She appeared in 25 episodes of the series from 2002 to 2010. In 2004 she starred in another short-lived CBS sitcom, ''[[The Stones (TV series)|The Stones]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2004/tv/reviews/the-stones-4-1200534549/ | title=Review: ''The Stones''|work=Variety|date=March 11, 2004 | access-date=8 September 2014 | author=Brian Lowry}}</ref> In 2006, Light joined the cast of the ABC comedy-drama series ''[[Ugly Betty]]'' as [[Claire Meade]], the mother of [[Alexis Meade|Alexis]] and [[Daniel Meade|Daniel]]. She was a recurring guest-star during the first season and was promoted to series regular as of the second. Light appeared in the show until the series finale in 2010. She was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] in 2007, and for the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series]] in 2008, for her performance in show.<ref name="tvg" />

Light appeared in a number of films in the 2000s. She co-starred opposite [[Chris Messina]] and [[Jennifer Westfeldt]] in the 2006 romantic comedy film ''[[Ira & Abby]]''. In 2007, Light starred as a radical Christian woman in the independent film ''[[Save Me (2007 film)|Save Me]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10007923-save_me/ | title=Save Me | website=Rotten Tomatoes | access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref> Light's character, Gayle, runs a Christian ministry known as Genesis House, which works to help gay men recover from their 'affliction.' She is challenged by the arrival of Mark, an ill gay man who reminds Gayle of her dead, homosexual son, and the movie chronicles the challenges of the two as they learn to accept each other as they are.

=== Acclaim in theater and return to television ===
The New York Times said in 1999 of Light's lead performance in the Broadway play Wit, "It is the sort of transformational work that would hint at other future successes, with Shakespeare, maybe, if a full-time career in the theater were truly an option these days. In any event, it gives rise to a wish. Ms. Light, don't touch that dial again, at least not for a while."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marks |first=Peter |date=September 10, 1999 |title=New Lead In 'Wit' Transcends A TV Past |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/10/movies/theater-review-new-lead-in-wit-transcends-a-tv-past.html |access-date=March 20, 2023}}</ref> Nevertheless, it would be another decade before Light returned to a major theatrical role on Broadway. From 2010 to 2011, Light appeared on Broadway as witty alcoholic Marie Lombardi in the play ''[[Lombardi (play)|Lombardi]]'', for which she received a nomination for the [[Tony Award]], for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/2011-Tony-Nominations-Announced-THE-BOOK-OF-MORMON-Leads-With-14-20110503 |title=2011 Tony Nominations Announced! THE BOOK OF MORMON Leads With 14! |publisher=Broadwayworld.com |date=2011-05-03 |access-date=2011-12-29}}</ref> Another role on Broadway followed, as Silda Grauman in ''[[Other Desert Cities]]'' from 2011 to 2012, which garnered Light her first Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Play and the 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play.<ref>Jones, Kenneth.
[https://archive.today/20121210193815/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/166897-Once-Clybourne-Park-Porgy-and-Bess-Audra-McDonald-Salesman-Win-Tony-Awards "'Once', 'Clybourne Park', 'Porgy and Bess', Audra McDonald, 'Salesman' Win Tony Awards"] Playbill.com, June 10, 2012</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/the-57th-annual-drama-desk-awards |title=The 57th Annual Drama Desk Awards |publisher=NewYorkTheaterGuide.com |date=2012-06-03 |access-date=2022-10-07}}</ref> Light also starred in two television pilots, ABC's sitcom ''Other People's Kids'' and [[USA Network]]'s drama ''Eden'', both in 2011 and neither of which were [[Green-light|green-lit]] to continue.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Nellie Andreeva|date=March 8, 2011|title=ABC Pilot Castings: Natalie Dormer To Star In 'Poe', Judith Light Joins 'Kids'|url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/natalie-dormer-to-star-in-abcs-poe-112312/|magazine=Deadline|access-date=8 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Stuart Levine|date=March 11, 2011|title=USA's ''Eden'' finds its Light|url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/usa-s-eden-finds-its-light-1118033801/|access-date=8 September 2014|work=Variety}}</ref>

[[File:Judith Light 2011.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Judith Light accepting her 2012 Drama Desk Award at [[The Town Hall (New York City)|The Town Hall]] in New York City]]Light appeared on Broadway as Faye in the 2013 play, ''[[The Assembled Parties]]'', and won her second Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Play for her performance.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/177440-Nominations-Announced-for-67th-Annual-Tony-Awards-Kinky-Boots-Earns-13-Nominations "Nominations Announced for 67th Annual Tony Awards; 'Kinky Boots' Earns 13 Nominations"]{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021194132/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/177440-Nominations-Announced-for-67th-Annual-Tony-Awards-Kinky-Boots-Earns-13-Nominations |date=2013-10-21 }} playbill.com, April 30, 2013</ref> In the same year, she joined the cast of [[TNT (U.S. TV network)|TNT]]'s continuation of the television series ''[[Dallas (2012 TV series)|Dallas]]'', in the role of [[Judith Brown Ryland]], villainous mother of [[Harris Ryland]] (despite being only three years older than [[Mitch Pileggi]] who plays her TV son).<ref>[https://www.tvguide.com/News/Judith-Light-Dallas-1054357.aspx?rss=breakingnews&partnerid=imdb&profileid=01 "Judith Light Heads to Dallas"] tvguide.com</ref><ref>[http://www.tvfanatic.com/2012/12/dallas-spoilers-debuts-deceptions-and-deaths/ "Dallas Spoilers: Debuts, Deceptions and Deaths"] tvfanatic.com</ref> She received positive reviews for her recurring role in ''Dallas'', with ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' naming her the "scene-stealer" of the series.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2014/03/04/dallas-judith-light/ | title=PopWatch PSA: You really need to watch Judith Light snort cocaine on 'Dallas' | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | date=March 4, 2014 | access-date=8 September 2014 | author=Mandi Bierly}}</ref>

In 2014, she was cast opposite [[Jeffrey Tambor]] in the critically acclaimed [[Amazon Studios]] dark comedy-drama series, ''[[Transparent (TV series)|Transparent]]'' created by [[Jill Soloway]]. She plays Shelly Pfefferman, ex-wife of the transgender character played by Tambor.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/erin-whitney/transparent-pilot-best-new-pilot_b_4747263.html | title='Transparent' Could Be 2014's Groundbreaking Show | work=Huffington Post | date=February 7, 2014 | access-date=8 September 2014 | author=Erin Whitney}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://uproxx.com/tv/2014/02/5-reasons-transparent-best-new-pilots-amazon-instant/ | title=5 Reasons Why 'Transparent' Is The Best Of The New Pilots On Amazon Instant | publisher=UPROXX | date=February 14, 2014 | access-date=8 September 2014 | author=Dustin Rowles}}</ref> The pilot episode debuted on February 6, 2014, and later episodes premiered on September 26, 2014.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/08/27/transparent-amazon-trailer/ | title=Jeffrey Tambor transitions in emotional 'Transparent' trailer | magazine=Entertainment Weekly | date=August 27, 2014 | access-date=8 September 2014 | author=Ariana Bacle}}</ref> Light received [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]] nominations for her performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/critics-choice-television-awards-nominations-2015-list-1201421320|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150506200406/http://deadline.com/2015/05/critics-choice-television-awards-nominations-2015-list-1201421320|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 6, 2015|title=Critics' Choice Television Awards Nominations 2015|author=Erik Pedersen|work=Deadline|date=6 May 2015|access-date=6 May 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Variety Staff |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/awards/golden-globe-nominations-2016-nominees-full-list-1201658166/ |title=2016 Golden Globe Nominations: Full List of Nominees |magazine=Variety |date=2015-12-10 |access-date=2017-05-24}}</ref>

Light appeared opposite [[Patricia Clarkson]] in the 2014 [[Romantic comedy|rom-com]], ''[[Last Weekend (2014 film)|Last Weekend]]'', and as the mother of [[Melanie Lynskey]]'s character in a comedy-drama film, ''[[We'll Never Have Paris]]'', the same year.<ref>{{cite web|author=Dennis Harvey|date=June 20, 2014|title=Film Review: ''Last Weekend''|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-last-weekend-1201181808/|access-date=8 September 2014|work=Variety}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Justin Chang|date=March 13, 2014|title=SXSW Film Review: ''We'll Never Have Paris''|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/sxsw-film-review-well-never-have-paris-1201131885/|access-date=8 September 2014|work=Variety}}</ref> She returned to Broadway in 2015 as [[Madame Raquin]] in [[Helen Edmundson]]'s adaptation of ''[[Thérèse Raquin]]'', starring opposite [[Keira Knightley]] and [[Matt Ryan (actor)|Matt Ryan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/legit/news/matt-ryan-judith-light-broadway-therese-raquin-1201515825/|title=Matt Ryan, Judith Light Join Broadway's ''Therese Raquin''|author=Gordon Cox|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=10 June 2015|access-date=13 June 2015}}</ref> In 2017, Light was featured in the [[American Theatre Wing]]'s [[Working in the Theatre (series)|Working in the Theatre]] series on solo performance.<ref>IMDB, [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7293684/?ref_=ttep_ep7 "Working in the Theatre: Solo Performance], August 24th, 2017.</ref>

Light received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Marilyn Miglin in 2018's ''[[The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story]],'' a [[miniseries|mini-series]] on [[FX (TV channel)|FX]], culminating in a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/american-crime-story-marilyn-miglin-perfume/|title='American Crime Story': Yes, Marilyn Miglin Still Sells Perfume|date=31 January 2018|access-date=21 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.apnews.com/455bc5c6d0f745d18374a2cda193bd4a/Partial-list-of-nominees-for-annual-Primetime-Emmy-Awards|title=Partial list of nominees for annual Primetime Emmy Awards|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=12 July 2018|access-date=12 July 2018|archive-date=7 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407200602/https://apnews.com/455bc5c6d0f745d18374a2cda193bd4a/Partial-list-of-nominees-for-annual-Primetime-Emmy-Awards|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, Light guest-starred in the Netflix series, [[The Politician (TV series)|''The Politician'']].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/politician-trailer-judith-light-bette-midler-emmys-teaser-1242147 |title='The Politician' Debuts First Look at Judith Light and Bette Midler During Emmys |author=Strause, Jackie |date=September 22, 2019 |website=[[HollywoodReporter.com]] |access-date=December 18, 2019 }}</ref> Together with [[Bette Midler]], she joined the main cast of the series for the second season, which premiered in June 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/the-politician-season-2-trailer-netflix-2020-watch.html|title=The Politician Season 2 Trailer: Bette Midler Is Here Now|website=[[Vulture (magazine)|Vulture]]|first=Devon|last=Ivie|date=June 15, 2020|access-date=June 20, 2020}}</ref> She received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] on September 12, 2019.<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Judith Light - Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony |medium=Video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYlU-CNv2xo | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211117/wYlU-CNv2xo| archive-date=2021-11-17 | url-status=live|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 12, 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2021, Light played Rosa Stevens in the biographical musical drama film ''[[Tick, Tick... Boom! (film)|Tick, Tick... Boom!]]'' directed by [[Lin-Manuel Miranda]]. She later starred in the comedy-thriller ''[[The Menu (2022 film)|The Menu]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/judith-light-the-menu-searchlight-anya-taylor-joy-1235052047/|title=Judith Light Joins Anya Taylor-Joy and Ralph Fiennes in Searchlight's 'The Menu' (EXCLUSIVE)|first1=Matt|last1=Donnelly|date=August 30, 2021}}</ref> She also was cast in the comedy-drama ''[[Down Low (film)|Down Low]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/zachary-quinto-lukas-gage-simon-rex-judith-light-down-low-cast-1234860053/|title=Zachary Quinto, Lukas Gage, Simon Rex, Judith Light & Audra McDonald Lead FilmNation's 'Down Low'|first1=Anthony|last1=D'Alessandro|date=October 21, 2021}}</ref> and comedy-drama ''[[The Young Wife (film)|The Young Wife]]'' starring [[Kiersey Clemons]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/flash-kiersey-clemons-young-wife-leon-briedges-tayarisha-poe-filmnation-1234968837/|title='The Flash's Kiersey Clemons Leads Cast In 'The Young Wife' For FilmNation & Archer Gray|first1=Andreas|last1=Wiseman|date=March 2, 2022}}</ref> On television, Light played [[Courteney Cox]]'s mother in the Starz horror comedy series ''[[Shining Vale]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/shining-vale-judith-light-starz-horror-comedy-1234811864/|title='Shining Vale': Judith Light Joins Starz's Horror Comedy Series|first1=Denise|last1=Petski|date=August 10, 2021}}</ref> and [[Blanche Knopf]] in the [[HBO Max]] series ''[[Julia (2022 TV series)|Julia]]'', both having premiered in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/06/judith-light-hbo-max-star-julia-child-drama-1234782563/|title=Judith Light Joins HBO Max's 'Julia', Will Star Alongside Sarah Lancashire & David Hyde Pierce In Julia Child Drama|first1=Peter|last1=White|date=June 28, 2021}}</ref>