Donna Glory Theodore (born July 25, 1941) is an American actress and singer who first came to attention as a headliner at many famous nightclubs during the 1960s including the Copacabana, The Fountainebleau Hotel, the Fairmont Hotel, and the El San Juan in

Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and Unincorporated ...

Biography

Theodore began working professionally at the age of twelve. She appeared Off-Broadway as Eustacia Vye in the 1977 Hudson Guild Theater production of ''Dance On A Country Grave''. Her success on Broadway led to concerts at major performance venues such as

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhatta ...

. During the 1970s and 1980s, Theodore appeared regularly on many different talk and variety shows on television including

Dick Cavett Richard Alva Cavett (; born November 19, 1936) is an American television personality and former talk show host. He appeared regularly on nationally broadcast television in the United States for five decades, from the 1960s through the 2000s. In ...

Mike Douglas Michael Delaney Dowd Jr. (August 11, 1920 – August 11, 2006),Cook County Birth Certificates, file number 6053268, borAugust 11, 1920Social Security Death Index, Michael D. Dowd Jr., Birth: 11 Aug 1920, death: 11 Aug 2006 residing in North ...

, and

Merv Griffin Mervyn Edward Griffin Jr. (July 6, 1925 – August 12, 2007) was an American television show host and media mogul. He began his career as a radio and big band singer, later appearing in film and on Broadway. From 1965 to 1986 he hosted his own ta ...

. She is perhaps best remembered for her appearances with

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, writer and producer. He is best known as the host of ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson received six Pr ...

on ''

The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. The show has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2009 and 201 ...

'', making more than 50 guest appearances. Theodore also created the role of Kitty Merritt on the daytime soap opera ''

Search for Tomorrow ''Search for Tomorrow'' is an American television soap opera. It began its run on CBS on September 3, 1951, and concluded on NBC, 35 years later, on December 26, 1986. Set in the fictional town of Henderson in an unspecified state, the show focu ...

'', appeared in the television movie ''Face of Fear'', and acted in numerous other popular television series like ''

B. J. and the Bear ''B.J. and the Bear'' is an American action comedy television series which aired on NBC from February 10, 1979, to May 9, 1981. Created by Glen A. Larson and Christopher Crowe, the series stars Greg Evigan. The series was produced when the CB ...

'', ''

Family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

'', '' Medical Center'', ''

Lanigan's Rabbi ''Lanigan's Rabbi'' is an American crime drama series that aired on NBC from January 30 to April 24, 1977. Synopsis Based upon a series of novels by Harry Kemelman, the series stars Art Carney as Police Chief Paul Lanigan, who fights crime in ...

'' and ''

Rosetti and Ryan ''Rosetti and Ryan'' is an American legal drama television series that aired on NBC from September 22 until November 10, 1977, from 10 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Premise Legal drama about two completely different lawyers; Rosetti is outgoing and de ...

''. In 2010, she performed on concert stages throughout the United States with her critically acclaimed tribute show, ''A Date with Judy—the Garland Years''.

Personal life

Theodore attended

Amador Valley High School Amador Valley High School is a comprehensive public high school in Pleasanton, California. It is one of three high schools in the Pleasanton Unified School District, along with Foothill High School and Village High School. Founded as Amad ...

Pleasanton, California Pleasanton is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. Located in the Amador Valley, it is a suburb in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 79,871 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. In 200 ...

. Theodore lives in Palm Springs, California, with her husband Don Martin, where they present a spiritual and motivational program called "Performing Artists Living Spiritually."

Awards and honors

Theodore won a

Theater World Award The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or Off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945–1946 theatre sea ...

and received a

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual cer ...

nomination for her performance in the 1975 musical '' Shenandoah''. She was the first person to receive a

Drama Desk Award The Drama Desk Award is an annual prize recognizing excellence in New York theatre. First bestowed in 1955 as the Vernon Rice Award, the prize initially honored Off-Broadway productions, as well as Off-off-Broadway, and those in the vicinity. Fo ...

in the category of Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical. Prior to the 1974–1975 awards, Drama Desk awards did not make distinctions between the sexes or musical versus dramatic roles.

Bibliography

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Theodore, Donna 1941 births American women singers American musical theatre actresses American television actresses Drama Desk Award winners Jubilee Records artists Living people People from Pleasanton, California 21st-century American women