ACTOR · BORN 1953
Christine Ebersole
- Born
- 21 February 1953, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Known for
- Amadeus (1984), Ri¢hie Ri¢h (1994), Black Sheep (1996), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
19 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Christine Ebersole (born 21 February 1953) is an actor best known for Amadeus, Ri¢hie Ri¢h and Black Sheep.
Christine Ebersole over the years
19 Interesting Facts About Christine Ebersole
Interesting Facts (2)
- #001
Ebersole attended MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois, and graduated in 1975. This education gave her a solid intellectual foundation for her art career. After graduating, she moved to New York to study acting and joined the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
- #002
Christine Ebersole was born on the same day as actor William Petersen, known for the film 'To Live and Die in L.A.' This coincidence is an interesting detail often mentioned by fans of the two actors. Although Ebersole and Petersen share the same birth date, they have pursued their careers in different genres and productions.
Career & Awards (13)
- #003
In 2007, Ebersole won the Tony Award, Broadway's most prestigious honor, for the second time with the musical 'Grey Gardens.' In this performance she portrayed both 'Little' Edie Beale and her mother, Edith Bouvier Beale, displaying extraordinary acting. This dual role once again proved her versatile talent and her mastery on stage.
Christine Ebersole: a sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · NBC, Public domain - #004
In 1979, she played the character Ado Annie in the major Broadway production of the musical 'Oklahoma!' staged at the Palace Theatre. This performance revealed her talent in musical theatre early on and was an important step in her career. The role showed that Ebersole could successfully blend comedy and drama.
- #005
In 2001, Ebersole was honored with the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in the revival of '42nd Street.' Two years later, in 2003, she was nominated for a Tony for Best Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for her role in the revival of George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's comedy 'Dinner at Eight.' These achievements proved her versatility in both musicals and straight plays.
- #006
At the Tony Awards ceremony held in New York in 2007, she won the award for Best Actress in a Musical for the musical 'Grey Gardens.' This was the second Tony Award of her career and confirmed her outstanding talent in musical theatre. Ebersole's performance received unanimous praise from critics and made her one of the most important stage artists of the period.
- #007
Ebersole completed her acting training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York. This long-established institution gave her a solid foundation in the performing arts and played an important role in the first steps of her career. Her education at AADA formed the basis of her success in both theatre and film.
- #008
As of 2016, Ebersole had appeared in three films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: 'Tootsie' (1982), 'Amadeus' (1984) and 'The Wolf of Wall Street' (2013). Of these films, 'Amadeus' went on to win the Oscar in that category. This shows that she worked with distinguished productions and took part in important projects in her film career.
- #009
In the spring of 2006, Ebersole had a major breakthrough with the musical 'Grey Gardens,' staged off-Broadway. In this production, based on the Maysles Brothers' famous documentary, she portrayed both Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter 'Little Edie.' This demanding dual role earned her the Obie, Drama Desk and Drama League awards and unanimous praise from critics. The show began performances at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Broadway in October 2006 and became a turning point in Ebersole's career.
- #010
Ebersole received an honorary doctorate from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. The honor was presented with a speech at the university's Homecoming gathering. The award was seen as a recognition of her contributions to the art world and her long career.
- #011
In 2016, Ebersole was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson (Equity) Award for the musical 'War Paint,' staged at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. This award holds significant prestige in the Chicago theatre world and is another indication of her success in musical theatre. The nomination shows that her performance was appreciated and that she earned a respected place in the theatre community.
- #012
Ebersole played the character Elvira on Broadway in Noel Coward's classic play 'Blithe Spirit.' This role gave her the opportunity to display her mastery in a production combining comedy and supernatural elements. The play once again revealed her charisma and flexibility on stage.
- #013
Ebersole played the character M'Lynn in the play 'Steel Magnolias' staged on Broadway. This role is the theatrical adaptation of the character played by Sally Field in the film. With this performance, Ebersole won the audience's appreciation by drawing a strong and emotional portrait of a mother.
- #014
Ebersole graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in 1975. This academy is regarded as the place where she laid the foundation of her acting career. Her education at AADA gave her a strong technique on stage and in front of the camera and enabled her to make a solid start to her professional life.
- #015
Ebersole appeared in two films selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically' significant: 'Tootsie' (1982) and 'Amadeus' (1984). These films rank among the most valuable productions in American cinema history. Ebersole's presence in these productions is regarded as an important achievement in her film career.
Life & Family (4)
- #016
Christine Ebersole is the aunt of the famous actress Janel Moloney. This family bond creates an interesting connection between the careers of the two actors. Ebersole's experiences and achievements have also been a source of inspiration for her niece Janel's acting career.
- #017
Ebersole graduated from New Trier Township High School West in Northfield, Illinois. This high school was an important part of her education and one of the places where her interest in acting first took root. After graduating, she moved to New York to study acting.
- #018
Christine Ebersole lives with her family in Maplewood, New Jersey. This location allows her to strike a balance between continuing her career and maintaining her family life. Maplewood is also known for its proximity to the theatre stage in New York, which lets Ebersole easily combine her work and private life.
- #019
Ebersole's ancestry traces to Swiss-German, German, English, Irish and distant Dutch origins. This multicultural heritage is part of her identity and of the diversity reflected in her art. These origins offer different cultural perspectives that add depth to her acting.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
- Wikipedia
- IMDb
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