Holland Taylor(born January 14, 1943)[1]is an American actress. She won the 1999Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Seriesfor her role as Judge Roberta Kittleson onABC'sThe Practice(1998–2003) and she received fourPrimetime Emmy Awardnominations for her role asEvelyn HarperonTwo and a Half Men(2003–15).
Holland Taylor | |
|---|---|
 Taylor in 1994 | |
| Born | January 14, 1943 Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Partner | Sarah Paulson(2015–present) |
| Relatives | Brad Anderson(nephew) |
Taylor's other notable television credits include starring roles on the sitcomsBosom Buddies(1980–82),The Powers That Be(1992–93) andThe Naked Truth(1995–98). She also appeared as Jill Ollinger on the soap operaAll My Children(1981–83), as Peggy Peabody onThe L Word(2004–08), and as Ida Silver onMr. Mercedes(2017–19). In 2017 she played Alice Lewis, Letty's jewel thief grandmother, in the TNT seriesGood Behavior.
In 2020, she received critical praise and her eighthPrimetime Emmy Awardnomination for portraying Ellen Kincaid in theNetflixminiseriesHollywood.
Taylor's feature film credits includeRomancing the Stone(1984) and its sequelThe Jewel of the Nile(1985),Alice(1990),To Die For(1995),One Fine Day(1996),George of the Jungle(1997),The Truman Show(1998),Happy Accidents(2000),Keeping the Faith(2000),Legally Blonde(2001),The Wedding Date(2005),Baby Mama(2008),Gloria Bell(2018),Bill & Ted Face the Music(2020), andThe Stand In(2020).
Taylor wrote and starred in theone-womanplay,Ann(Broadway,2013), based on the life and work ofAnn Richards.For this she received a nomination for theTony Award for Best Actress.She returned to the role in the 2022 West Coast premiere at thePasadena Playhouse.[2]Her other notable Broadway credits includeButley(1972),We Interrupt This Program...(1975),Moose Murders(1983), andThe Front Page(2016).
Early life
editTaylor was born in Philadelphia on January 14, 1943,[1]to Virginia (née Davis), a painter, and C. Tracy Taylor, an attorney.[3]She attended high school atWesttown School,aQuakerboarding school inWest Chester, Pennsylvania,graduating in 1960. She majored inTheatreatBennington College,[4]graduating in 1964, before moving to New York City to become an actress.[5]
Career
editTaylor began in the theater. Throughout the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, she appeared in numerousBroadwayandoff-Broadwayproductions, including starring roles inSimon Gray'sButleyandA. R. Gurney'sThe Cocktail Hour;for the latter, she was nominated for aDrama Desk award.In 1983, Taylor appeared inBreakfast with Les and Bess,which prompted theNew Yorkmagazinetheatre criticJohn Simonto sing, "...Miss Taylor is one of the few utterly graceful, attractive, elegant and technically accomplished actresses in our theatre...seeing her may turn you, like me, into a Taylor freak..."[6]
Taylor took the role of Denise Cavanaugh, who killed herself just to frame her husband, on thesoap operaThe Edge of Night.Then, encouraged by her acting coach,Stella Adler,Taylor took a role that would make her well known:Tom Hanks' sexy, demanding Boss in the 1980ssitcomBosom Buddies.[7]
She proved herself to be equally adept at bothcomedyanddrama.[5]In 1985, she co-starred withLisa Eilbacherin the ABC detective seriesMe and Mom.Two years later, she played oppositeAlan Arkinin the short-lived ABC sitcomHarry,in which she received "starring" billing. In 1990, Taylor reunited with formerBosom Buddiesexecutive producersThomas L. MillerandRobert L. Boyettfor a role on their ABC sitcomGoing Places,playing grand dame television producer Dawn St. Claire for the show's first 13 episodes. From 1992 to 1993, she starred in Norman Lear'sThe Powers That BewithJohn ForsytheandDavid Hyde Pierce,playing the wife of Forsythe's character, a U.S. senator.[8]
In early 1994, she joined the cast ofSaved by the Bell: The College Yearsas Dean Susan McMann, just episodes before its cancellation. Following this was her role as high-powered newspaper editor Camilla Dane on the ABC/NBC sitcomThe Naked Truth;Taylor was one of the few cast members to last through the show's entire run through 1998, despite several retoolings.[4]
She played the part of Judge Roberta Kittleson onThe Practice.Originally intended to be a one-time appearance, the role lasted from 1998 to 2003. She won thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Seriesin 1999; in her acceptance speech, she is remembered for claiming the statue and exclaiming, "Overnight!" Taylor thankedDavid E. Kelley,The Practice's producer/writer and creator, for "giving me a chariot to ride up here on: A woman who puts a flag on the moon for women over 40—who can think, who can work, who are successes, who can cook, and who can COOK!"[citation needed]She was nominated in the same category for the same role the following year.
Taylor was also nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Seriesfor her recurring role on AMC'sThe Lot,and has been nominated for Emmys five times since 2003: four forOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Seriesfor her role on the TV seriesTwo and a Half Men,playing Evelyn Harper, the snobbish, overbearing mother ofCharlie SheenandJon Cryer's characters, and one forOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Moviefor her role as Ellen Kincaid, a studio executive and mentor for aspiring actors, in the miniseriesHollywood.Taylor's television movie and series guest roles have been extensive and include appearances onERandVeronica's Closet,and recurring roles onAlly McBealandMonk,and asbillionairePeggy Peabody onThe L Word.
Taylor's movie roles have includedReese Witherspoon's character's tough Harvard law professor in the 2001 comedyLegally Blonde,Tina Fey's character's mother inBaby Mama,The Truman Show,Happy Accidents,Next Stop Wonderland,George of the Jungle,The Wedding Date,How to Make an American Quilt,Romancing the Stone,D.E.B.S.,Cop and a Half,andOne Fine Day.
Taylor's animated roles include that of Prudence, the castle's majordomo and love interest of the Grand Duke, in Disney'sCinderella IIandCinderella III: A Twist in Time.She also played a role in the animated showAmerican Dad!as Francine's biological mother.
Taylor began researching, writing, and producing a one-woman play about the late Texas GovernorAnn Richardsin 2009.[5]The two-act play, originally titledMoney, Marbles, and Chalk,starring Taylor as Richards, was first workshopped in May 2010 at TheGrand 1894 Opera HouseinGalveston, Texas.[9]It was later retitledAnn: An Affectionate Portrait of Ann Richards[10]and opened in Chicago November 16, 2011, where it was billed as a "pre-Broadway" engagement. It played at theKennedy Centerin Washington, D.C., from December 17, 2011, through January 15, 2012. The show next opened on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre on March 7, 2013. For this role, Taylor was nominated for theTony AwardforBest Lead Actress in a Play.[11]PBSGreat Performancesbroadcast the premiere of the play, now titled simplyAnn,on June 19, 2020. It had been recorded at the Zach Theater in Austin, Texas, following its national tour and Broadway run.[9]
Personal life
editOn November 30, 2015, while answering a question about marriage, in a radio interview withWNYC,Taylor said that she was in a relationship with a younger woman and that most of her relationships have been with women.[12][13]Her partner was later reported to be actressSarah Paulson.[14][15][16][17]In March 2016, Taylor and Paulson's relationship was confirmed when Paulson stated during an interview that they had been dating since early 2015.[18]In August 2020, Taylor told theLGBTQ&Apodcast that she identifies as gay.[19]
Taylor has been a supporter of Aid for AIDS in Los Angeles, serving on their Honorary Board and as an ongoing participant in their largest annual fundraiser,Best in Drag Show,among other fundraising efforts.[20]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Next Man | TV Interviewer | |
| 1979 | 3 by Cheever: O Youth and Beauty! | Beverly | |
| 1980 | Fame | Claudia Van Doren | Uncredited |
| 1983 | Reuben, Reuben | Uncredited | |
| 1984 | Concealed Enemies | Mrs. Marbury | |
| Romancing the Stone | Gloria Horne | ||
| 1985 | Key Exchange | Mrs. Fanshaw | |
| The Jewel of the Nile | Gloria Horne | ||
| 1987 | Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Natica Jackson | Ernestine King | |
| 1988 | She's Having a Baby | Sarah Briggs | |
| 1990 | Alice | Helen | |
| 1993 | Cop and a Half | Captain Rubio | |
| 1994 | The Favor | Maggie Sand | |
| 1995 | To Die For | Carol Stone | |
| How to Make an American Quilt | Mrs. Rubens | ||
| Last Summer in the Hamptons | Davis Mora Axelrod | ||
| Steal Big Steal Little | Mona Rowland-Downey | ||
| 1996 | One Fine Day | Rita | |
| 1997 | George of the Jungle | Beatrice Stanhope | |
| Just Write | Emma Jeffreys | ||
| Betty | Crystal Ball | ||
| 1998 | The Unknown Cyclist | Celia | Uncredited |
| The Truman Show | Alanis Montclair/Angela Burbank | ||
| Next Stop Wonderland | Piper Castleton | ||
| 1999 | The Sex Monster | Muriel | |
| 2000 | Happy Accidents | Maggie Ann "Meg" Ford | |
| Mail to the Chief | Katherine Horner | ||
| Keeping the Faith | Bonnie Rose | ||
| 2001 | Town & Country | Mistress of Ceremonies | |
| Legally Blonde | Professor Elspeth Stromwell | ||
| 2002 | Fits and Starts | ||
| Cinderella II: Dreams Come True | Prudence | Voice role | |
| Home Room | Dr. Hollander | ||
| Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams | Grandma Helga Avellan | ||
| 2003 | Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over | Cameo | |
| Intent | Judge Cavallo | ||
| 2004 | D.E.B.S. | Mrs. Petrie | |
| 2005 | The Wedding Date | Bunny Ellis | |
| 2007 | Cinderella III: A Twist in Time | Prudence | Voice role |
| 2008 | Baby Mama | Rose Holbrook | |
| 2010 | The Chosen One | Ruth | |
| 2017 | Kepler's Dream | Violet von Stern | [21] |
| 2018 | Gloria Bell | Hillary Bell | |
| 2019 | Bombshell | Faye | Uncredited[22] |
| 2020 | To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You | Edith "Stormy" McClaren-Sheehan | |
| Bill & Ted Face the Music | The Great Leader | ||
| The Stand In | Barbara Cox | ||
| 2023 | Quiz Lady | Francine |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | J.T. | Mrs. Arnold | Television film |
| 1971 | Love Is a Many Splendored Thing | Trish Wanamaker | |
| 1973 | Somerset | Sgt. Ruth Winter | |
| 1975 | Beacon Hill | Marilyn Gardiner | |
| 1977 | Kojak | Elizabeth | 1 episode |
| 1977–1980 | The Edge of Night | Denise Norwood Cavanaugh, R.N. | |
| 1980–1981 | Bosom Buddies | Ruth Dunbar | 21 episodes |
| 1981 | ABC Afterschool Special | Francine Martin | Episode: "My Mother Was Never a Kid" |
| 1981–1983 | All My Children | Jill Ollinger | |
| 1982 | The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana | Frances Shand Kydd | Television film |
| I Was a Mail Order Bride | Dottie Birmington | Television film | |
| 1983 | The Love Boat | Kathy Brighton | 1 episode |
| 1984 | Kate & Allie | Linda Cabot | 1 episode |
| 1985 | Me and Mom | Zena Hunnicutt | |
| Perry Mason Returns | Paula Gordon | Television film | |
| 1987 | Harry | Ina Duckett, R.N. | 7 episodes |
| Perfect Strangers | Olivia Crawford | 1 episode | |
| 1987–1989 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Fran Grogan | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Murder, She Wrote | Winifred Thayer | 1 episode |
| 1990 | Wiseguy | Allison Royce | 1 episode |
| People Like Us | Dolly | Television film | |
| Big Deals | Mrs. Bluett | Television film | |
| 1990–1991 | Going Places | Dawn St. Clare | 3 episodes |
| 1991 | The Rape of Doctor Willis | Dr. Greenway | Television film |
| 1992–1993 | The Powers That Be | Margaret Powers | 20 episodes |
| 1993 | With Hostile Intent | Lois Baxter | Television film |
| 1993–1994 | Saved by the Bell: The College Years | Dean Susan McMann | 7 episodes |
| 1994 | Betrayal of Trust | Mary Shelton | Television film |
| In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness |
Florence Newsom | Television film | |
| The Counterfeit Contessa | Wallace Everett | Television film | |
| 1994–1995 | Diagnosis: Murder | Agent Gretchen McCord | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | A Walton Wedding | Aunt Flo | Television film |
| Awake to Danger | Dr. Joyce Lindley | Television film | |
| 1995–1998 | The Naked Truth | Camilla Dane | 23 episodes |
| 1996 | Something So Right | Abigail | 1 episode |
| 1998–2003 | The Practice | Judge Roberta Kittleson | 29 episodes |
| 1998 | Veronica's Closet | Millicent | 2 episodes |
| Buddy Faro | Olivia Vandermeer | 1 episode | |
| 1999 | ER | Phyllis Farr | 1 episode |
| The Lot | Letitia DeVine | ||
| My Last Love | Marnie Morton | Television film | |
| 1999–2000 | Ally McBeal | 2nd Woman in Face Bra Infomercial / Judge Roberta Kittleson |
2 episodes |
| 2000 | Strong Medicine | Lillian Pynchon | 1 episode |
| DAG | Katherine Twigg | 1 episode | |
| The Living Edens | Narrator | 1 episode | |
| The Spiral Staircase | Emma Warren | Television film | |
| The Deadly Look of Love | Evelyn McGinnis | Television film | |
| 2001 | Strange Frequency | Marge Crowley | Television film; segment: "Room Service" |
| The Fighting Fitzgeralds | Rose | 1 episode | |
| The Day Reagan Was Shot | Nancy Reagan | Television film | |
| 2002 | Fillmore! | Mrs. Cornwall (voice) | 1 episode |
| 2003–2015 | Two and a Half Men | Evelyn Harper | 101 episodes |
| 2004–2008 | The L Word | Peggy Peabody | 8 episodes |
| 2005–2007 | Monk | Peggy Davenport | 2 episodes |
| 2007 | American Dad! | Cassandra Dawson (voice) | Episode: "Big Trouble in Little Langley" |
| 2012 | Electric City | Ruth Orwell (voice) | 20 episodes |
| McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade | Grand Marshal | Television special | |
| 2017–2019 | Mr. Mercedes | Ida Silver | 29 episodes |
| 2017 | The Orville | Jeannie Mercer | Episode: "Command Performance" |
| Speechless | Andrea | Episode: "B-R-I-- BRITISH I-N-V-- INVASION" | |
| Good Behavior | Alice | 2 episodes | |
| 2019 | Spirit Riding Free | Madame Gummery (voice) | Episode: "Lucky and the New Frontier: Part 1" |
| Dollface | Guest speaker | Episode: "Feminist" | |
| Better Things | Herself | Episode: "The Unknown" | |
| 2020 | Hollywood | Ellen Kincaid | 7 episodes |
| 2021 | The Chair | Professor Joan Hambling | 6 episodes |
| 2021–present | The Morning Show | Cybil Richards | 10 episodes |
| 2022 | The Great North | Goldie (voice) | Episode: "As Goldie as It Gets Adventure" |
| 2023 | Billions | Dr. Eleanor Mayer | 3 episodes |
Theater
editBroadway
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965–66 | The Devils | Ensemble | Broadway Theatre,Broadway |
| 1972–73 | Butley | Anne Butley | Morosco Theatre,Broadway |
| 1975 | We Interrupt This Program... | Amanda Williams | Ambassador Theatre,Broadway |
| 1975–76 | Murder Among Friends | Angela Forrester | Biltmore Theatre,Broadway |
| 1977 | Something Old, Something New | Cynthia Morse | Morosco Theatre,Broadway |
| 1983 | Moose Murders | Hedda Holloway | Eugene O'Neill Theatre,Broadway |
| 2013 | Ann | Ann Richards | Vivian Beaumont Theatre,Broadway |
| 2016 | The Front Page | Mrs. Grant | John Golden Theatre,Broadway |
Off-Broadway
| Year | Title | Role | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | The Poker Session | Irene | Martinique Theatre, Off-Broadway |
| 1968 | The David Show | Performer | Players Theatre, New York City |
| 1969 | Tonight in Living Color | Performer | Actors Playhouse, New York City |
| 1970 | Colette | Performer | Ellen Stewart Theatre, New York City |
| 1974 | Fashion | Kim Howard | McAlpin Rooftop Theatre, New York City |
| 1976 | Children | Barbara | Manhattan Theatre Club, New York City |
| 1979 | Drinks Before Dinner | Performer | |
| 1982–93 | Breakfast with Les and Bess | Bess | Hudson Guild Theatre, New York City |
| 1986 | The Perfect Party | Performer | Playwrights Horizons |
| 1988–89 | The Cocktail Hour | Sister | Promenade Theatre, New York City |
| 1989 | Love Letters | Melissa Gardner | |
| 1999 | The Vagina Monologues | Performer | West Side Theater |
| 2011 | Ann: An Affectionate Portrait of Ann Richards | Ann Richards | |
| 2015 | Ripcord | Abby | |
| 2024 | N/A | N | Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, New York City |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Title of Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | The Practice | Won |
| 2000 | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series | The Lot | Nominated | ||
| 2005 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Two and a Half Men | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Nominated | |||
| 2008 | Nominated | |||
| 2010 | Nominated | |||
| 2013 | Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Play | Ann | Nominated |
| 2020 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie | Hollywood | Nominated |
| 2024 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | The Morning Show | Nominated |
References
edit- ^abBobbin, Jay (August 21, 2005)."Checking in with Holland Taylor".The Free Lance-Star.Fredericksburg, VA.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
- ^"Holland Taylor brings the late Texas Gov. Ann Richards' story to the stage one last time".Los Angeles Times.March 23, 2022.RetrievedApril 8,2022.
- ^"Obituaries: C. Tracy Taylor, 77, Ex-allentown Lawyer".The Morning Call.Allentown, Penn. May 2, 1989.Archivedfrom the original on July 15, 2014.RetrievedJuly 19,2020.
- ^ab"Holland Taylor returns to role in 'Naked Truth'".The Vindicator.Youngstown, Ohio.Associated Press.August 11, 1997. p. C12.RetrievedJuly 19,2020.
- ^abcRhodes, Joe (October 5, 2008)."Growing From Too Young to Grande Dame".The New York Times.RetrievedMay 4,2010.
- ^Simons, John (August 8, 1983)."Uppie with Auntie".New York.RetrievedFebruary 17,2011.
- ^Byrne, Bridget (November 8, 2004)."Stirring Things Up".The Blade.Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press. p. D3.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
- ^Jacobs, Matthew (April 30, 2020)."Better With Age: The Holland Taylor Story".HuffPost.RetrievedJuly 19,2020.
I think that was possibly right after I did a show for Norman Lear, which was one of the things I'm proudest of, called "The Powers That Be."
- ^abGutierrez, Trey (June 19, 2020)."A Broadway Veteran Channels Ann Richards".Texas Monthly.RetrievedJuly 19,2020.
- ^"A Letter from Holland Taylor".The North Hollywood Arts Center.RetrievedJune 12,2016.
- ^Gans, Andrew (December 17, 2011)."Ann,Created by and Starring "Two and a Half Men" Star Holland Taylor, Begins Kennedy Center Run Dec. 17 ".Playbill.RetrievedJuly 19,2020.
- ^Hernandez, Greg (November 30, 2015)."Two and a Half Men mom Holland Taylor: 'My relationship is with a woman'".Gay Star News.Archived fromthe originalon April 8, 2020.RetrievedJuly 19,2020.
- ^Sale, Anna (November 30, 2015)."Holland Taylor Steps Off Her Island".Death, Sex and Money.WNYC.RetrievedNovember 30,2015.
- ^"Report: Holland Taylor dating Sarah Paulson".San Francisco Chronicle.December 2, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon July 20, 2020.RetrievedJuly 19,2020.
- ^"Holland Taylor says she hasn't 'come out' because she 'lives out'".Fox News.May 2, 2016.
- ^"Holland Taylor Confirms She Is in a Relationship with a Much Younger Woman".Extra.December 1, 2015.
- ^Schulman, Michael (March 2, 2016)."Sarah Paulson Opens Up About Acting, Marcia Clark and Dating Older Women".The New York Times.RetrievedMarch 7,2016.
- ^Wilkins, Vanessa (March 2, 2016)."Taylor and Paulson in relationship since early 2015".ABC News.
- ^Masters, Jeffrey (August 18, 2020)."Why Holland Taylor Doesn't 'Have Any Impulse' to Define Herself".The Advocate.RetrievedAugust 25,2020.
- ^"Partners/Celebrity Support".Aid For AIDS.Archived fromthe originalon October 9, 2011.RetrievedNovember 16,2011.
- ^"Exclusive Clip: Holland Taylor Bonding With Granddaughter in Kepler's Dream".LRM.December 5, 2017.RetrievedNovember 11,2020.
- ^Weitzman, Elizabeth (December 9, 2019)."'Bombshell' Film Review: Margot Robbie and Charlize Theron Shine in Roger Ailes Downfall Saga ".The Wrap.RetrievedDecember 9,2019.
External links
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