Allie Anschutz

Acting for the Musical Stage

May 2nd, 2016
Betty Buckley
Betty Buckley is an American stage, film, and television actress and
singer. She is most known for her roles as Abby Abbot in Eight is Enough,
Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, and she originated the role of
Grizabella in the original Broadway production of Cats. She is also known for
her other Broadway productions such as 1776, Pippin, and The Mystery of
Edwin Drood. Her most recent stage credit is her portrayal of Big Edie in
Grey Gardens in New York City.
Buckley was born in Big Spring, Texas. She has three brothers and
studied at Texas Christian University. She started performing at the age of
15. In 1966, she was the runner up in the Miss Texas competition but was
then invited to perform at the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. During
the competition was where Buckley was first discovered by a talent scout.
Since then she has been performing all over the world in all different
mediums. She had been in multiple TV shows and movies and of course has
starred on Broadway a number of times. She has had a fantastic career both
on screen and stage.
However, Buckley isnt just the talented actress with an amazing voice.
Recently, she and other fellow diva Patti LuPone got into an argument over
the song Meadowlark, which they both perform during their solo concerts.
They both think that Stephen Schwartz wrote the song specifically for
themselves. When they asked Schwartz he smartly replied that he doesnt

recall who he wrote the song for. Finally, they came to an agreement that
they were both too old to sing the song and that they would both retire it
but no surprise here, they are both still singing the song. To this day, they
still say the song was written for themselves. Divas will be divas. She has
also had other experiences with cast or crew members giving her the cold
shoulder for her diva actions.
Now at 68 years old, Buckley is still performing around the country. She
recently announced that she will be in New York City to teach her Song
Interpretation & Monologue workshop May 1st through the 5th. She is still a
powerhouse diva with a killer voice.