How much is Audra McDonald's Net Worth? Unveiling the Astonishing Figures.

What is Audra McDonald's net worth?

Audra McDonald, an American actress and singer, boasts a net worth of $8 million. Renowned for her achievements in the theater, McDonald has garnered six Tony Awards throughout her illustrious career. She has graced the stages of Broadway in notable productions like "Carousel" (1994–1995), "Ragtime" (1998), "A Raisin In The Sun" (2004), and "Porgy And Bess" (2012).

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At the young age of 28, McDonald became the youngest person to win three Tonys. As of now, she holds the record for the most Tony wins by any performer and is the only individual to have triumphed in four different acting categories. McDonald has released several albums, including "Way Back to Paradise" (1998), "How Glory Goes" (2000), "Happy Songs" (2002), "Build a Bridge" (2006), "Go Back Home" (2013), and "Sing Happy" (2018). She has also appeared in over 40 films and television shows, such as "Beauty and the Beast" (2017), "Respect" (2021), "The Bedford Diaries" (2006), "Private Practice" (2007–2013), "The Sound of Music Live!" (2013), and "The Good Fight" (2018–present). In 2021, she co-hosted the Tony Awards with Leslie Odom Jr. McDonald was granted a place in the esteemed American Theater Hall of Fame in 2017.

Early Life

Audra McDonald, born Audra Ann McDonald on July 3, 1970, in West Berlin, Germany, comes from American parents Anna and Stanley. Anna worked as a university administrator, while Stanley served as a high school principal. At the time of her birth, Stanley was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army. Tragically, Stanley passed away in 2007 during a fatal accident involving an experimental aircraft he was flying. McDonald grew up in Fresno, California, alongside her younger sister Alison, who pursued a career as a director, producer, and screenwriter. During her youth, Audra showcased her talent with the Good Company Players' junior company, and she has attributed her mother and Good Company director Dan Pessano as the most influential individuals in her life. McDonald attended Theodore Roosevelt High School, graduating from the Roosevelt School of the Arts program in 1988. In 2018, the Roosevelt Auditorium was renamed the Audra McDonald Theatre. Following high school, Audra pursued classical voice studies at New York City's Juilliard School, from which she completed her education in 1993.

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Theatre Career

McDonald made her Broadway debut as a replacement for the role of Ayah in a 1992 production of "The Secret Garden." Subsequently, from 1994 to 1995, she portrayed Carrie Pipperidge in "Carousel," winning her first Tony Award. She went on to star as Sharon Graham in "Master Class" (1995), Sarah in "Ragtime" (1997), and Lucy, The Beggar Woman in "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (2000). In 2001, she played Deena Jones in a New York Actor's Fund Benefit Concert of "Dreamgirls." In 2004, Audra won her fourth Tony for her exceptional performance as Ruth Younger in a production of "A Raisin in the Sun." She received a Primetime Emmy nomination when she reprised the same role in a 2008 ABC adaptation of the play. Notably, McDonald delivered Tony-winning portrayals as Bess in "Porgy and Bess" (2011) and Billie Holiday in "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" (2014). She received a Tony nomination for her role as Frankie in "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" (2019). In 2017, McDonald revisited the character of Billie Holiday in a London production of "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill" at Wyndham's Theatre.

Film and Television Career

Making her debut in the film industry, Audra McDonald starred in "Seven Servants" (1996). She went on to appear in movies such as "The Object of My Affection" (1998), "Cradle Will Rock" (1999), and a television adaptation of the musical "Annie" (1999), where she portrayed Grace Farrell. In 2006, McDonald played Professor Carla Bonatelle on The WB series "The Bedford Diaries." From 2007 to 2013, she took on the role of Dr. Naomi Bennett on ABC's "Private Practice," featuring in more than 60 episodes. McDonald has also appeared in films like "It Runs in the Family" (2003), "The Best Thief in the World" (2004), and "Rampart" (2011). In 2015, she shared the screen with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline in "Ricki and the Flash." Other noteworthy contributions include her performance as Mother Abbess in NBC's "The Sound of Music Live!" (2013) and her concert special "Audra McDonald: Go Back Home." In 2017, she portrayed Madame de Garderobe in "Beauty and the Beast." Since 2018, Audra has been starring as Liz Lawrence-Reddick on the CBS All Access (now Paramount+) legal drama series "The Good Fight." In 2021, she took on the role of Rachel Boutella on the Spectrum Originals series "The Bite," alongside her husband, Will Swenson. She also portrayed Barbara Siggers Franklin, mother of Aretha Franklin, in the film "Respect." McDonald has been hosting the PBS series "Live from Lincoln Center" since 2012.

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Personal Life

Audra McDonald tied the knot with bassist Peter Donovan on September 10, 2000. Together, they welcomed daughter Zoe on February 14, 2001, before parting ways and divorcing in 2009. In 2012, McDonald married fellow actor Will Swenson, known for his roles in Broadway productions like "Hair," "Les Misérables," and "Waitress." The couple's second child, Sadie, was born on October 19, 2016. Audra is also a stepmother to Bridger and Sawyer, Will's sons from his first marriage. In September 2014, McDonald rendered a touching rendition of the song "Smile" at Joan Rivers' funeral. In June 2020, she joined forces with other theater professionals to establish Black Theatre United, an organization aimed at protecting Black individuals, Black talent, and Black lives in the theater and communities across the United States. Additionally, McDonald collaborated with Broadway stars Idina Menzel, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kristin Chenoweth, and others to create the bilingual children's album "Singing You Home – Children's Songs for Family Reunification" in 2018, with proceeds benefiting organizations assisting separated families at the border. In 2014, Audra became a member of the board of directors for Covenant House, a nonprofit organization providing support and services to homeless youth. She was honored with Covenant House's Beacon of Hope Award in 2018.

Awards and Nominations

Throughout her career, McDonald has received numerous accolades for her exceptional stage performances. In 2012, she was bestowed with the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award. Furthermore, in 2016, former President Barack Obama presented her with the National Medal of Arts, commending her for illuminating Broadway as one of its shining stars. On the television front, McDonald has earned five Primetime Emmy nominations, securing the Outstanding Special Class Program win for the "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – In Concert with the New York Philharmonic" episode of "Live from Lincoln Center" in 2015. Her other nominations include Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for "Wit" (2001) and "A Raisin in the Sun" (2008), Outstanding Special Class Programs for the "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Carousel" episode of "Live from Lincoln Center" (2013), and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill" (2016). Furthermore, McDonald boasts two Grammy wins for Best Opera Recording and Best Classical Album for "Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny" (2009) and a Best Musical Theater Album nomination for "The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess: New Broadway Cast Recording" (2013). In 2008, she earned an Online Film & Television Association Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries for "A Raisin in the Sun." Additionally, in 2020, the Casting Society of America honored McDonald with the Marion Dougherty New York Apple Award.

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McDonald's contributions to the stage have garnered her numerous awards and recognitions. For her role in "Carousel," she clinched a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, alongside a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical. She was also a recipient of the Theatre World Award. McDonald secured a Tony and Ovation Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for "Master Class," in addition to a Tony for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for "Ragtime." "A Raisin in the Sun" earned her a Tony, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Broadway.com Audience Award, while the KissFM Phenomenal Woman Award recognized her in 2005. She attained a Tony, Drama Desk Award, Drama League Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award for "Porgy and Bess," as well as a Tony, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Broadway.com Audience Award for "Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill." In 2013, McDonald was honored with a Sarah Siddons Award for Distinguished Achievement in the Theatre. Most recently, she clinched an Antonyo Award for Best Actor in a Play on Broadway for "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune" in 2020.