Audra Ann McDonald (born July 3, 1970) is a four-time Tony Award-winning American actress and singer. She is currently starring on the ABC television drama Private Practice as Dr. Naomi Bennett.
She was raised in Fresno, California.
Five of her aunts toured in the 1970s as "The McDonald Sisters". They sang gospel music.
At her final "Carousel" audition, Audra fainted on stage while singing. She still got the part and went on to win her first Tony Award in 1994.
"Marie Christine", her first starring role on Broadway, was written specifically for her by Michael John LaChiusa after he saw her audition for "Carousel".
The youngest actor ever to win three Tony Awards.
Graduated from The Juilliard School for the performing arts in 1993
Daughter Zoe Madeline Donovan born on 14 February 2001 at 2:59pm weighing 7lbs 7oz.
Daughter Zoe Madeline (pronounced ZO) named after Zoe Caldwell (I) and the late Madeline Kahn (I), two good friends of McDonald's.
She almost didn't graduate from Julliard because of her disinterest in classical music, but with the help of a fellow student, impressed her teachers and went on to become a huge Broadway star.
Husband Peter Donovan (I) also graduated from Julliard, where they met. He is her bass player, and they do a number together called "Beat My Dog." [Audra has also made several appearances with "Evening at Pops" (1970), and her concert "Live at the Donmar," (with Peter) was broadcast on PBS.]
Has won four Tony Awards in 11 years: as Best Actress (Featured Role-Musical) in 1994 for a revival of "Carousel", in 1998 for playing Sarah in Ragtime", as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) in 1996 for playing Sharon in Terence McNally (I)'s "Master Class" and in 2004 for her portrayal of Ruth Younger in a revival of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun." She was also nominated in 2000 as Best Actress (Musical) for playing the title role in "Marie Christine.".
