Who is Stockard Channing? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Susan Antonia Williams Stockard

Age: 80 Years, 80 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: David Debin (1976-1980), David Rawle (1980-1988), Paul Schmidt ( 1970-1976), Walter Channing (1963-1967)

father: Lester Napier Stockard

mother: Mary Alice English

Partner: Daniel Gillham (1990–)

Born Country: United States

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'3" (160 cm), 5'3" Females

Notable Alumni: Radcliffe College, Chapin School, Madeira School

Ancestry: Irish American

U.S. State: New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Harvard University, Radcliffe College, Chapin School, Madeira School

Recommended For You

1

Is Stockard Channing still acting?

Yes, Stockard Channing is still actively acting in films, television shows, and theater productions.
2

What are some popular movies featuring Stockard Channing?

Some popular movies featuring Stockard Channing include "Grease," "Six Degrees of Separation," "Practical Magic," and "The Business of Strangers."
3

Has Stockard Channing starred in any Broadway productions?

Yes, Stockard Channing has starred in several Broadway productions, including "Applause," "The House of Blue Leaves," and "Other Desert Cities."
4

Does Stockard Channing have any upcoming projects?

Stockard Channing's upcoming projects may vary, as she continues to take on new acting opportunities in various mediums.
5

What are some memorable characters played by Stockard Channing?

Some memorable characters played by Stockard Channing include Rizzo in "Grease," Ouisa Kittredge in "Six Degrees of Separation," and First Lady Abbey Bartlet in "The West Wing."

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Childhood & Early Life

Stockard Channing was born Susan Williams Antonia Stockard, on February 13, 1944, in Manhattan, New York City, US, to Lester Napier Stockard and Mary Alice. Her father was in the shipping business. Her mother hailed from a big Brooklyn-based Irish Catholic family. Stockard was raised on the Upper East Side.

She studied at the ‘Chapin School’ in New York City and then attended the ‘Madeira School’ in McLean, Virginia. She later enrolled at ‘Radcliffe College’ in Massachusetts and studied history and literature, graduating “summa cum laude” in 1965. She also trained in acting at New York City’s ‘HB Studio.’ Her sister, Lesly Stockard Smith, served as the mayor of Palm Beach, Florida.

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Stage

Stockard stepped into the entertainment industry with the experimental ‘Theatre Company of Boston’ and performed in the 1969 ‘Off-Broadway’ production of the play ‘Adaptation/Next’ by Elaine May. The Theodore Mann-directed revival of ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’ staged in 1970, as part of the ‘Circle in the Square’ at ‘Ford's Theatre’ program, also featured her.

She made her ‘Broadway’ debut with a production of playwright John Guare’s rock musical ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ in 1971. Stockard also starred in the Arvin Brown-directed 1985 ‘Broadway’ revival of ‘A Day in the Death of Joe Egg.’ It won the ‘Drama Desk Award’ for ‘Outstanding Revival’ and fetched Stockard a nomination for another ‘Drama Desk Award’ and a ‘Tony Award.’

She played Susan in the Lynne Meadow-directed play ‘Woman in Mind,’ which had its first American production at the ‘Manhattan Theatre Club’ in New York on February 17, 1988. She won the ‘Drama Desk Award’ for ‘Outstanding Actress in a Play’ that year.

In 1991, she received the ‘Drama League Distinguished Performance Award’ (aka the ‘Delia Austrian Medal’) for her remarkable portrayal of ‘Ouisa’ in the ‘Vivian Beaumont Theater’ production of ‘Six Degrees of Separation.’ Some of her other stage performances that earned her ‘Tony Award’ nominations were ‘The House of Blue Leaves’ (April 29, 1986—March 15, 1987), ‘Four Baboons Adoring the Sun’ (March 18, 1992–April 19, 1992), ‘The Lion in Winter’ (March 11, 1999–May 30, 1999), ‘Pal Joey’ (December 8, 2008–March 1, 2009), and ‘Other Desert Cities’ (November 3, 2011–June 17, 2012).

She was inducted into the ‘Theater Hall of Fame’ in 2002.

Television

Stockard made her TV debut in 1972, featuring as ‘The Number Painter's female victim in the American educational children's series ‘Sesame Street.’ The character of ‘Miriam Knight’ in the 1973-released ‘ABC’ black-comedy TV movie ‘The Girl Most Likely To...’ marked her first starring role on the small screen.

She eventually bolstered her TV career with the ‘CBS’ sitcoms ‘Stockard Channing in Just Friends’ (1979) and ‘The Stockard Channing Show’ (1980). She earned ‘Primetime Emmy Award’ nominations for her performances in the programs ‘Echoes in the Darkness’ (1987), ‘Perfect Witness’ (1989), ‘Road to Avonlea’ (1994), ‘An Unexpected Family’ (1996), ‘The Baby Dance’ (1998), and ‘Out of Practice’ (2005–2006).

One of the most memorable roles of her career was that of ‘First Lady Abbey Bartlet’ in the ‘NBC’-aired political-drama series ‘The West Wing.’ She appeared in the role between 1999 and 2006, first as a recurring character during seasons 1 and 2 and then as a series regular during seasons 3 and 7. It won her several awards, including the ‘Primetime Emmy Award’ for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series’ in 2002.

Some of her other notable TV roles were those of ‘Judy Shepard’ in the 2002 Canadian–American film ‘The Matthew Shepard Story’ (which won her the ‘Primetime Emmy Award’ for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie’) and ‘Anne’ in the 2004 American drama film ‘Jack’ (which helped her earn the ‘Daytime Emmy Award’ for ‘Outstanding Performer in a Children/Youth/Family Special’).

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Films

Stockard started her film career with bit roles before landing up with her first major film, the 1975-released American comedy film ‘The Fortune.’ The Mike Nichols-directed film featured her as a wealthy young heiress named ‘Freddie.’ She received a ‘Golden Globe’ award nomination for the ‘Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture – Female’ for the performance.

Her fame reached new heights when at age 33, she played high-school teenager ‘Betty Rizzo’ in the 1978-released American musical romantic-comedy movie ‘Grease,’ co-starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The critically acclaimed film emerged as the highest-grossing musical flick of the time. She also contributed lead vocals to the tracks ‘Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee’ and ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’ in the 1978-released soundtrack album titled ‘Grease: The Original Soundtrack from the Motion Picture.’ It earned a nomination for the ‘Album of the Year’ award at the 21st annual ‘Grammy Awards.’

She received several nominations, including one for an ‘Academy Award’ and another for a ‘Golden Globe,’ for her outstanding performance as ‘Louisa "Ouisa" Kittredge’ in the 1993 American comedy–drama film ‘Six Degrees of Separation.’ In the ensuing years, she advanced her film career with films such as ‘Smoke’ (1995), ‘Up Close & Personal’ (1996), ‘Moll Flanders’ (1996), ‘The First Wives Club’ (1996), ‘Practical Magic’ (1998), and ‘The Business of Strangers’ (2001).

Family & Personal Life

Stockard has been married four times. However, all of them have ended in divorce. She was married to Walter Channing from 1964 to 1967, to Paul Schmidt from 1969 to 1976, to David Debin from 1976 to 1980, and to David Rawle from 1982 to 1988.

She is romantically involved with cinematographer Daniel Gillham for over 2 decades and stays with him in Maine when the two are not working.

Facts About Stockard Channing

Stockard Channing's real name is Susan Antonia Williams Stockard.

She has been nominated for multiple Tony Awards for her work on Broadway, showcasing her talent as a versatile actress.

Channing is known for her love of animals and has been an advocate for animal rights throughout her career.

She is a skilled singer and has released an album showcasing her musical talents.

Channing has a strong interest in environmental issues and has been involved in various conservation efforts over the years.

2002	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series	The West Wing (1999)
2002	Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie	The Matthew Shepard Story (2002)

Stockard Channing Biography

You wanted to know

Is Stockard Channing still acting?

What are some popular movies featuring Stockard Channing?

Has Stockard Channing starred in any Broadway productions?

Does Stockard Channing have any upcoming projects?

What are some memorable characters played by Stockard Channing?