Laura Benanti – Biography, Age, TV Shows, and Movies
Laura Benanti is a Tony Award-winning American actress and singer known for her celebrated Broadway career and prominent television roles. She has built a reputation as one of the most versatile performers of her generation, moving seamlessly between the stage, the screen, and comedy tours.
Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Benanti made her Broadway debut at 18 and went on to win a Tony Award for her performance in the 2008 revival of Gypsy. She is also widely recognized for portraying Alura and Astra on the TV series Supergirl and for her recurring role in The Gilded Age.
Her career spans nearly three decades, encompassing film, television, stage, and late-night comedy. Benanti continues to take on diverse projects, from period dramas on HBO to comedic films alongside Jennifer Lawrence.
Who is Laura Benanti?
Laura Ilene Benanti (née Vidnovic)
July 15, 1979
46 (as of July 2026)
Actress, Singer
Tony Award winner (Gypsy), TV roles in Supergirl, The Gilded Age, Nashville
Tony Award (2008), 5 Tony nominations
- Laura Benanti is a highly decorated Broadway actress who successfully transitioned to television and film.
- Her most widely recognized TV role is Alura on The CW’s Supergirl (2015–2017).
- She recently appeared in the hit comedy film No Hard Feelings (2023) alongside Jennifer Lawrence.
- Her portrayal of Mrs. Fish in HBO’s The Gilded Age has garnered critical praise.
- Despite her screen success, she remains active in stage productions and comedy tours.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Laura Ilene Vidnovic |
| Date of Birth | July 15, 1979 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, New York, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Years Active | 1997–present |
| Marital Status | Married to Patrick Brown (since 2015) |
| Tony Awards | 1 win (2008, Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Gypsy), 5 nominations |
| Notable TV Roles | Supergirl (Alura, Astra), The Gilded Age (Mrs. Fish), Nashville (recurring), Elsbeth (Dr. Amanda Cleary) |
| Notable Films | No Hard Feelings (2023), Worth (2020), Here Today (2021) |
How old is Laura Benanti?
Laura Benanti was born on July 15, 1979, in New York City, New York. As of July 2026, she is 46 years old. Her birth name is Laura Ilene Vidnovic. She later took the surname of her stepfather, Salvatore Benanti, after her parents divorced and she moved to Kinnelon, New Jersey.
What is Laura Benanti’s height?
Multiple sources list her height as 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters). However, according to the content plan, this figure is not confirmed by an official source.
Laura Benanti’s height is widely cited as 5’8″ (1.73 m) but does not appear on her official website. The figure comes from third-party databases such as IMDb.
What TV shows has Laura Benanti starred in?
Laura Benanti’s television career includes a wide range of roles, from superhero series to period dramas and comedies. Below are the main shows and the characters she played.
What is Laura Benanti’s role in Supergirl?
In the CW series Supergirl (2015–2017), Benanti played twin sisters Alura Zor-El and Astra. Alura is the mother of Kara Zor-El (Supergirl), while Astra is Alura’s twin sister and a Kryptonian villain. The role introduced her to a younger, global audience.
Who does Laura Benanti play in The Gilded Age?
In Season 2 of HBO’s The Gilded Age, Benanti has a recurring role as Mrs. Fish, a character based on the real-life socialite Mamie Fish. The period drama showcases her ability to handle historical, costume-based storytelling.
What is Laura Benanti’s character in Elsbeth?
Since 2024, Benanti has appeared in the CBS series Elsbeth in a guest/recurring role as Dr. Amanda Cleary. The show is a legal comedy-drama spin-off from The Good Wife.
What part did Laura Benanti have in Nashville?
She had a recurring role on the ABC/CMT drama Nashville (2012–2013). The exact character name is not consistently listed across sources, but she was part of the show’s musical ensemble.
Benanti has also appeared on Younger, Life & Beth, the Gossip Girl reboot, The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie, Law & Order: SVU, and Inside Amy Schumer. She notably portrayed Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
What movies and TV shows has Laura Benanti been in?
Beyond television, Benanti has built a filmography that includes independent films, Netflix dramas, and mainstream comedies. Her Broadway work remains a central part of her identity.
What Broadway shows has Laura Benanti performed in?
Benanti made her Broadway debut at age 18 as Maria in the 1998 revival of The Sound of Music. She has since performed in She Loves Me, My Fair Lady (revival), Nine (opposite Antonio Banderas), Meteor Shower (opposite Amy Schumer), The Wedding Singer, and In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play).
What is Laura Benanti’s most famous movie role?
Her most widely seen film role is likely in No Hard Feelings (2023), where she co-starred with Jennifer Lawrence. She also appeared in Worth (2020) opposite Michael Keaton, Here Today (2021) with Billy Crystal, and Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021). Upcoming films include Goodrich (2024–2025) with Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, and Everything’s Going To Be Great with Bryan Cranston.
Some film projects, such as The Shade and Everything’s Going To Be Great, are listed as in development or unreleased. Exact release dates may change.
When did Laura Benanti achieve her career milestones?
- 1979 – Born in New York City.
- 1998 – Broadway debut in The Sound of Music.
- 2006 – First Tony nomination for The Wedding Singer.
- 2008 – Wins Tony Award for Gypsy.
- 2012 – Guest-starred on The Good Wife and appeared in the film The Words.
- 2015–2017 – Plays Alura on Supergirl.
- 2016–2018 – Recurring role on Nashville.
- 2022–present – Cast in HBO’s The Gilded Age.
- 2023 – Co-stars in No Hard Feelings.
- 2024 – Appears in CBS’s Elsbeth.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Laura Benanti?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| She is an American actress and singer born July 15, 1979. | Her exact marital status has been reported differently in some sources; however, according to Wikipedia and multiple language editions, she married Patrick Brown on November 14, 2015, and they are still married. |
| She won a Tony Award in 2008 for Gypsy. | Her height is widely cited as 5’8″ but not from an official source. |
| She played Alura on Supergirl (2015–2017). | Some filmography details, such as exact episode counts, may vary across sources. |
| She has been nominated for five Tony Awards. | Net worth estimates around $4–6 million are not officially confirmed. |
Why is Laura Benanti considered a versatile performer?
Benanti’s career illustrates the fluidity between stage and screen. She earned early critical acclaim on Broadway, which led to mainstream television exposure. Her role in Supergirl introduced her to a younger, wider audience, while The Gilded Age showcases her period-drama skills. Recent film work in No Hard Feelings proves she is comfortable in comedic roles, expanding her range. She remains a Tony-caliber performer, balancing live comedy tours with screen projects.
She is part of a generation of theater actresses—such as Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth—who successfully navigate multiple mediums.
What do official sources say about Laura Benanti?
“Tony® Award-winner and five-time Tony® Award nominee Laura Benanti is a highly celebrated stage and screen actress.”
— laurabenanti.com/about
“Benanti went on to win the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Gypsy.”
— Wikipedia
“Laura Benanti is a highly celebrated stage and screen actress… co-starred in the hit film NO HARD FEELINGS.”
— IMDb
Summary: Who is Laura Benanti?
Laura Benanti is a Tony Award-winning actress and singer born July 15, 1979, in New York City. She is best known for her Broadway career, particularly her Tony-winning performance in Gypsy, and for television roles in Supergirl, The Gilded Age, Nashville, and Elsbeth. She continues to work across film, television, and live comedy. For more details, see the profile of this Tony Award-winning actress and Supergirl star.
Frequently Asked Questions about Laura Benanti
What is Laura Benanti’s IMDb page?
Her IMDb page is https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1128574/ and contains a full filmography.
What is Laura Benanti’s height?
Multiple sources list her height as 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m), though her official site does not specify.
Is Laura Benanti married?
According to several Wikipedia editions, she married Patrick Brown on November 14, 2015, and they are still married. They have two daughters.
What is Laura Benanti’s net worth?
Estimated around $4–6 million from stage, TV, and film work, but not officially confirmed.
How many Tony Awards has Laura Benanti won?
She has won one Tony Award (2008, Gypsy) and has five nominations.
Did Laura Benanti play Alura on Supergirl?
Yes, she played Alura Zor-El, the mother of Kara Zor-El, in the first two seasons. She also played Alura’s twin sister, Astra.
What is Laura Benanti’s role in The Gilded Age?
She plays Mrs. Fish, a socialite character, in Season 2 of HBO’s The Gilded Age.
Has Laura Benanti been in No Hard Feelings?
Yes, she co-starred in the 2023 comedy film No Hard Feelings alongside Jennifer Lawrence.
What Broadway shows has Laura Benanti performed in?
She has performed in The Sound of Music, Gypsy, Into the Woods, She Loves Me, My Fair Lady, Nine, Meteor Shower, The Wedding Singer, and In the Next Room, among others.
Is Laura Benanti active on social media?
Yes, she maintains an Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/laurabenanti/.
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