Barbara Cook (born October 25, 1927) is an American singer and actress who first came to prominence in the 1950s after starring in the original Broadway musicals Plain and Fancy (1955), Candide (1956) and The Music Man (1957) among others, winning a Tony Award for the last. She continued performing mostly in theatre until the mid-1970s, when she began a second career that continues to this day as a cabaret and concert singer. She has also made numerous recordings.During her years as Broadway’s leading ingénue Cook was lauded for her excellent lyric soprano voice. She was particularly admired for her vocal agility, wide range, warm sound, and emotive interpretations. As she has aged her voice has taken on a darker quality, even in her head voice, that was less prominent in her youth. Today Cook is widely recognized as one of the "premier interpreters" of musical theatre songs and standards, in particular the songs of composer Stephen Sondheim. Her subtle and sensitive interpretations of American popular song continue to earn high praise even into her eighties. She was named an honoree at the 2011 Kennedy Center Honors.
Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event, Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Helen Hayes Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress, Non-Resident Production, Laurence O...
Movies
Thumbelina, Spring Fever, Broadway's Best at Pops, Barbara Cook: Mostly Sondheim, Killing 'em Softly
TV Shows
Golden Windows
Star Sign
Scorpio
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Fact
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Mother of one son, Adam Legrant.
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...until June 13: Studio 54 on Broadway. One of the starring performers in Roundabout Theatre Company's 'Sondheim on Sondheim.' [March 2010]
Won Broadway's 1958 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Musical) for playing Marian in "The Music Man." In 2002, she was nominated in the Special Theatrical Event Category for her show "Barbara Cook Sings Mostly Sondheim.".
5
She was nominated for a 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Entertainment for her performance in "Barbara Cook Sings Mostly Sondheim" at the Lyric Theatre in London, England.
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Her show, "Barbara Cook Sings Mostly Sondheim", was performed in 2001 at the Lyric Theatre in London, England and was nominated for a 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Entertainment.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Thumbelina
1994
Mother (voice)
The United States Steel Hour
1962
TV Series
Play of the Week
1961
TV Series
Lissa
The Chevy Show
1961
TV Series
Kitty Malone
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
1961
TV Series
Kitty Malone
Hansel and Gretel
1958
TV Movie
Gretel
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1957
TV Series
Barbie Hallem
The Yeoman of the Guard
1957
TV Movie
Elsie Maynard
Kraft Theatre
1950-1957
TV Series
Producers' Showcase
1956
TV Series
Evelina Applegate
Babes in Toyland
1955
TV Movie
Jane Piper
Golden Windows
1954
TV Series
Hazel
Armstrong Circle Theatre
1950-1952
TV Series
The Great Merlini
1951
TV Movie
Julie Boyde
Studio One in Hollywood
1950
TV Series
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Thumbelina
1994
performer: "Soon" Reprise
In Performance at the White House: A Tribute to American Music - Jerome Kern
1987
TV Movie performer: "Don't Ever Leave Me", "Long Ago and Far Away", "Look for the Silver Lining", "All the Things You Are"
The 41st Annual Tony Awards
1987
TV Special performer: "Till There Was You"
Babes in Toyland
1955
TV Movie performer: "I Can't Do the Sum", "Castle in Spain", "Go to Sleep, Slumber Deep"
Camera Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Peege
1973
Short still photographer
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Broadway: The Next Generation
2018
Documentary filming
Herself
Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age
2016
Documentary post-production
Herself
The Kennedy Center Honors
2013
TV Special
Herself
The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
2011
TV Movie
Herself - Honoree
The 64th Annual Tony Awards
2010
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: A Little Night Music & Nominee: Best Featured Actress in a Musical
The 60th Annual Tony Awards
2006
TV Special
Herself - Presenter: Best Original Score
51st Annual Drama Desk Awards
2006
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
Breakfast with the Arts
2005
TV Series
Herself
Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There
2003
Documentary
Herself
The 56th Annual Tony Awards
2002
TV Special
Herself - Nominee: Best Special Theatrical Event
60 Minutes
2001
TV Series documentary
Herself - Singer (segment "Barbara Cook")
A Benefit Celebration: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
1996
TV Movie
Herself - Performer
In Performance at the White House: A Tribute to American Music - Jerome Kern