Top 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsMost Popular Video GamesMost Popular Music VideosMost Popular Podcasts
    Release CalendarBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Biography
  • Awards
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Christine Baranski

  • Actress
  • Producer
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeter
Top 5,000105
Christine Baranski
The Gilded Age begins in 1882 with young Marian Brook (Jacobson) moving from rural Pennsylvania to New York City after the death of her father to live with her thoroughly old money aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Baranski) and Ada Brook (Nixon). Exposed to a world on the brink of the modern age, will Marian follow the established rules of society, or forge her own path?
Play trailer2:07
The Gilded Age (2022– )
49 Videos
99+ Photos
Christine Baranski is an American actress from Buffalo, New York. She has had a relatively lengthy career in both film and television. She has been nominated for 15 Emmy Awards, winning once. One of her most popular roles was that of neuroscientist Dr. Beverly Hofstadter in the sitcom " The Big Bang Theory ". She played this role from 2009 to 2019.

Baranski was born to a Polish-American family. Her parents were newspaper editor Lucien Baranski and his wife Virginia Mazurowska. Her grandparents were reportedly Polish theatrical actors. She was raised in the town of Cheektowaga, a suburb of Buffalo. Polish Americans have long been the dominant ethnicity in Cheektowaga.

Baranski received her secondary education at the Villa Maria Academy, a Catholic high school operated by the Felician Sisters. In 1970, she enrolled in the Juilliard School, a private performing arts conservatory located in New York City. She studied drama for four years. She graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1980, Baranski made both her Off-Broadway debut and her Broadway debut. She later received critical acclaim for the leading role of Charlotte in the play "The Real Thing" (1982) by Tom Stoppard. For this role, Baranski won the 1984 "Tony Award Best Featured Actress in a Play".

In 1986, Baranski had a supporting role in the BDSM-themed erotic film "9½ Weeks", loosely based on the novel "Nine and a Half Weeks: A Memoir of a Love Affair" (1978) by Ingeborg Day (1940-2011). The film earned 100 million dollars at the worldwide box office, and became a cult favorite. It was the first popular film in Baranski's career.

In 1990, Baranski had a role in the courtroom drama "Reversal of Fortune". The film was based on the trial of lawyer Claus von Bülow (1926-2019) for the attempted murder of his wife. The film under-performed at the box office, but was nominated for several awards.

In 1993, Baranski played the tyrannical camp counselor Becky Martin-Granger in the black comedy film "Addams Family Values". The film was loosely based on the comic strip "The Addams Family" by Charles Addams (1912-1988). Becky was one of the film's main antagonists, and an opponent for Wednesday Addams (played by Christina Ricci). The film earned about 49 million dollars at the domestic box office, and was well-received critically.

In 1995, Baranski gained a major television role in the sitcom "Cybill" (1995-1998). She played Maryann Thorpe, a wealthy and sharp-tonged woman. Maryann suffered from long-term ennui, motivating her to become more involved in the personal life of her best friend Cybill Sheridan (played by Cybill Shepherd). The series lasted for 4 seasons and a total of 87 episodes. Baranski won critical acclaim for this role. She won the 1995"Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series".

In 1996, Baranski played the supporting role of Katharine Archer in the comedy film "The Birdcage". In the film, Katharine is a former lover of the openly gay Armand Goldman (played by Robin Williams) and the mother of his son Val Goldman (played by Dan Futterman). She agrees to pretend to be Armand's wife in a meeting with Val's prospective in-laws. The film earned about 185 million dollars at the worldwide box office, one of the greatest box office hits in Baranski's career.

In 2000, Baranski played Martha May Whovier in the Christmas film "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". The film was based on the 1957 children's story of the same name by Dr. Seuss (1904-1991). In this adaptation, the Grinch (played by Jim Carrey) has a life-long romantic interest in Martha May, but has trouble expressing his feelings to her. The film earned about 363 million dollars at the worldwide box office, and became the sixth highest-grossing film of 2000.

Also in 2000, Baranki was cast in the major role of producer Marsha Bickner in the short-lived sitcom "Welcome to New York" (2000-2001). The sitcom depicted the inner workings of morning news show. It lasted a single season and a total of 16 episodes. The series was canceled due to low ratings.

In 2002, Baranski was cast as the baker Mrs. Lovett in a revival of the musical "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (1979) by Stephen Sondheim (1930-) and Hugh Wheeler (1912 - 1987). The play features Lovett as the accomplice of the serial killer Sweeney Todd. It is a loose adaptation of the penny dreadful "The String of Pearls" (1846-1847). For this role, Baranski won the 2003 "Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical".

Also in 2002, Baranski played sensationalist reporter Mary Sunshine in the black comedy film "Chicago". The film earned about 307 million dollars at the worldwide box office. At the time t held the record as the highest grossing live-action musical in film history.

In 2003, Baranski was cast in the main role of Annie Brennan in the sitcom "Happy Family" (2003-2004). The sitcom depicted the problems of aging patents who have to deal with the eccentricities of their grown-up children. The series lasted a single season and a total of 22 episodes. Due to low ratings, there were no plans for a second season.

In 2008, Baranski played Tanya Chesham-Leigh in the romantic comedy "Mamma Mia! (film)". It was based on the theatrical musical "Mamma Mia!" (1999) by Catherine Johnson (1957-), and used hit songs by the Swedish pop group ABBA. In the film, Tanya is an old friend of the main character Donna Sheridan-Carmichael (played by Meryl Streep). The film earned about 616 million dollars at the worldwide box office, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film of 2008. Baranski returned to her role in the sequel "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" (2018), which was also a box office hit.

In 2009, Baranski was cast in the recurring role of Dr. Beverly Hofstadter in the sitcom "The Big Bang Theory". The character is depicted as a brilliant but self-centered scientist, who has a problematic relationship with her son Leonard Hofstadter (played by Johnny Galecki). Baranski appeared in 16 episodes of the series, and her character was popular. For this role, Baranski was nominated four times for the "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series".

Also in 2009, Baranski was cast in the role of Diane Lockhart in the legal drama "The Good Wife" (2009-2016). Diane was depicted as a senior partner in a law firm, and the mentor of protagonist Alicia Florrick (played by Julianna Margulies). She was one of the series' main characters, and appeared in 156 episodes. The role was critically acclaimed, and Baranski was nominated 6 times for the "Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series".

In 2014, Baranski played Cinderella's Stepmother in the fairy-tale-themed fantasy film "Into the Woods". The film earned about 213 million dollars at the worldwide box office, and was praised by critics. The film reunited Baranski with her colleague Meryl Streep.

In 2017, Baranski returned to the role of Diane Lockhart in the legal drama "The Good Fight" (2017-), a sequel series "The Good Wife". This time Diane is the main character. In the initial episodes, she has lost her savings and is forced to resume her legal career to earn a living. As of 2021, four seasons of the series have been completed and a fifth one is about to begin.

In 2018, Baranski was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame. Eligible inductees for this hall of fame include theatrical actors, playwrights and other theater practitioners who have had an American theatrical career for at least 25 years, and have at least five credits on major Broadway productions.

As of 2021, Baranski is 69-years-old. She has never retired from acting, and she remains highly popular with both critics and audiences.
BornMay 2, 1952
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornMay 2, 1952
IMDbProStarmeter
Top 5,000105
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
  • Won 1 Primetime Emmy

Photos359

William Baldwin and Christine Baranski in Bulworth (1998)
Warren Beatty and Christine Baranski in Bulworth (1998)
Christine Baranski and Cynthia Nixon in The Gilded Age (2022)
Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald in The Good Fight (2017)
Cybill Shepherd and Christine Baranski in Cybill (1995)
Cybill Shepherd and Christine Baranski in Cybill (1995)
Jeremy Irons and Christine Baranski in Reversal of Fortune (1990)
Jeremy Irons and Christine Baranski in Reversal of Fortune (1990)
Jeremy Irons and Christine Baranski in Reversal of Fortune (1990)
Christine Baranski in The Big Bang Theory (2007)
Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald in The One Where the Sun Comes Out (2019)
Christine Baranski and Johnny Galecki in The Big Bang Theory (2007)

Known for

Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia! (2008)
Mamma Mia!
6.5
  • Tanya
  • 2008
Richard Gere, Renée Zellweger, and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Chicago (2002)
Chicago
7.2
  • Mary Sunshine
  • 2002
Meryl Streep in Into the Woods (2014)
Into the Woods
5.9
  • Stepmother
  • 2014
Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Cher, Andy Garcia, Meryl Streep, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, Hugh Skinner, Jeremy Irvine, Alexa Davies, Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, and Josh Dylan in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
6.6
  • Tanya
  • 2018

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actress

  • Praise Petey
    • (voice)
    • Pre-production
  • Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald in The Good Fight (2017)
    The Good Fight
  • The Loud House (2014)
    The Loud House
    • (voice)
  • Christine Baranski and Carrie Coon in The Gilded Age (2022)
    The Gilded Age
  • Fancy Nancy (2018)
    Fancy Nancy
  • Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and Yeardley Smith in The Simpsons (1989)
    The Simpsons
    • (voice)
  • Fairfax (2021)
    Fairfax
    • (voice)
  • Dolly Parton, Treat Williams, Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis, Matthew Johnson, Mary Lane Haskell, Josh Segarra, Jeanine Mason, and Selah Kimbro Jones in Christmas on the Square (2020)
    Christmas on the Square
  • Ana Gasteyer, Anna Akana, and Quinta Brunson in Magical Girl Friendship Squad (2020)
    Magical Girl Friendship Squad
    • (voice)
  • Will Arnett in BoJack Horseman (2014)
    BoJack Horseman
    • (voice)
  • Spirit Riding Free: Pony Tales (2017)
    Spirit Riding Free: Pony Tales
    • (voice)
  • The Bravest Knight (2019)
    The Bravest Knight
    • (voice)
  • Tony Hale in Archibald's Next Big Thing (2019)
    Archibald's Next Big Thing
    • (voice)
  • The Two Princes (2019)
    The Two Princes
  • Iain Armitage in Young Sheldon (2017)
    Young Sheldon
    • (voice)
  • Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Jim Parsons, Melissa Rauch, and Kunal Nayyar in The Big Bang Theory (2007)
    The Big Bang Theory

Producer

  • Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald in The Good Fight (2017)
    The Good Fight
  • Christine Baranski, Sara Gilbert, Rocky Carroll, and Jim Gaffigan in Welcome to New York (2000)
    Welcome to New York

Soundtrack

  • Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and Yeardley Smith in The Simpsons (1989)
    The Simpsons
    • (uncredited)
  • Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald in The Good Fight (2017)
    The Good Fight
  • Dolly Parton, Treat Williams, Christine Baranski, Jenifer Lewis, Matthew Johnson, Mary Lane Haskell, Josh Segarra, Jeanine Mason, and Selah Kimbro Jones in Christmas on the Square (2020)
    Christmas on the Square
  • Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration (2020)
    Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration
  • Gemma Arterton and Rose Johnson in Comic Relief: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Yet Again (2019)
    Comic Relief: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Yet Again
  • Everything Wrong with... (2012)
    Everything Wrong with...
  • Diminishing Returns (2016)
    Diminishing Returns
  • Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Cher, Andy Garcia, Meryl Streep, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried, Hugh Skinner, Jeremy Irvine, Alexa Davies, Lily James, Jessica Keenan Wynn, and Josh Dylan in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
    Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
  • Doug Walker in Nostalgia Critic (2007)
    Nostalgia Critic
  • Meryl Streep in Into the Woods (2014)
    Into the Woods
  • The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts (1998)
    The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts
  • America Ferrera in Ugly Betty (2006)
    Ugly Betty
    • (uncredited)
  • Mayim Bialik, Kaley Cuoco, Johnny Galecki, Simon Helberg, Jim Parsons, Melissa Rauch, and Kunal Nayyar in The Big Bang Theory (2007)
    The Big Bang Theory
    • (uncredited)
  • Amanda Seyfried in Mamma Mia! (2008)
    Mamma Mia!
  • Christine Baranski, Tyler Francavilla, Jeff Bryan Davis, John Larroquette, and Melanie Paxson in Happy Family (2003)
    Happy Family
    • (uncredited)
  • In-development projects at IMDbPro

Videos50

The Making of Mamma Mia!: Part 1, Clip 2
Clip 0:46
The Making of Mamma Mia!: Part 1, Clip 2
Trolls
Clip 1:37
Trolls
Fresh Takes: Into the Woods
Interview 2:36
Fresh Takes: Into the Woods
Season 6 Official Trailer
Trailer 2:32
Season 6 Official Trailer
Season 6 Teaser
Trailer 0:31
Season 6 Teaser
Trailer
Trailer 2:08
Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 2:07
Official Trailer
Official Teaser Trailer
Trailer 0:50
Official Teaser Trailer
Official Trailer
Trailer 1:43
Official Trailer
Final Trailer
Trailer 2:39
Final Trailer
Season 2 First Look
Trailer 2:13
Season 2 First Look
International Trailer
Trailer 2:40
International Trailer

Personal details

Edit
    • May 2, 1952
    • Buffalo, New York, USA
    • Matthew CowlesOctober 15, 1983 - May 22, 2014 (his death, 2 children)
    • Lily Cowles
  • Other works
    TV commercial for Cadillac Seville STS ("Stabilitrak").
  • Publicity listings
    • 2 Interviews
    • 5 Articles
    • 7 Magazine Cover Photos

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    Baranski has said the most enjoyable film shoots she has done were the "Mamma Mia" films because she could "research" her character over martinis with old friend Meryl Streep after each daily wrap.
  • Quotes
    Acting is like a high wire act. Your margin for error is very slim.

Related news

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More to explore

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
  • Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • IMDb Developer
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.