Noted stage actress, renowned for her versatility and exceptional talent, has also made a significant impact in the world of television and film. Born in Germany, she was raised in the charming city of Madison, Wisconsin, and later pursued her passion for acting at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London.
Her Broadway debut in 1938's "The Seagull" marked the beginning of a successful career, which would go on to earn her numerous accolades, including her first Tony Award and other prestigious honors in 1950 for Clifford Odets' "The Country Girl". Her second Tony Award was awarded for her outstanding portrayal of Martha in Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?".
In addition to her impressive stage presence, she also made a lasting impact as a highly influential acting teacher at New York's esteemed HB Studio, founded by Herbert Berghof in 1945. Her best-selling acting texts, "Respect for Acting", co-authored with Haskel Frankel, and "A Challenge for the Actor", have had a profound effect on the world of theater pedagogy.
Her most significant contributions to the field of acting were a series of "object exercises" that built upon the work of renowned Russian acting theorists Konstantin Stanislavski and Yevgeni Vakhtangov. These exercises have been widely adopted and continue to shape the way actors approach their craft.
Throughout her illustrious career, she has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including being elected to the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1981. She has twice won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play and received a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1999, a testament to her enduring legacy in the world of theater.
