Beth Fowler is an American actress and singer, best known for her performances on Broadway and for her role as Sister Ingalls, on Orange Is the New Black. She is a two-time Tony Award nominee.[1]
Elizabeth Fowler | |
|---|---|
 Fowler at the Drama League Benefit Gala Honoring Angela Lansbury, February 8, 2010 | |
| Born | Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Caldwell University |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Spouse | Jack Witham |
Life and career
editBorn in Jersey City, New Jersey,[2] Fowler attended Caldwell University in New Jersey and was a music teacher for several years, as well as performing in community theater.[3] [4] Fowler attended Catholic schools and planned to enter a convent before becoming a music teacher.[citation needed]
She had a fondness for Broadway theatre when she decided to audition for Gantry in 1970. She was signed for the chorus and as understudy for the lead, but the show closed on opening night.[5] She had better luck with her next outing, Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music. Additional Broadway credits include 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; Peter Pan; Baby; Take Me Along; Teddy & Alice; the 1989 revival of Sweeney Todd, in which she portrayed Mrs. Lovett; Beauty and the Beast, in which she originated the role of Mrs. Potts; Bells Are Ringing; and The Boy from Oz, where she portrayed Peter Allen's mother Marion.[6]
Fowler has been nominated for two Tony Awards: as Best Featured Actress in a Musical for The Boy From Oz and as Best Actress in a Musical for Sweeney Todd, which garnered her a Drama Desk Award nomination as well.[1]
During her career, Fowler appeared in a number of films, including Sister Act and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Friends & Family, Did You Hear About the Morgans?, I Don't Know How She Does It, and Mulan, in which she sang "Honor to Us All". On television, Fowler guest-starred on Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Ed, and Gossip Girl. In 2013, she began appearing in the recurring role as Sister Jane Ingalls in the comedy-drama series Orange Is the New Black. Along with cast, Fowler received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.[7]
Personal
editSince 2000, Fowler has been a resident of New Milford, New Jersey, having previously resided in Rutherford, Teaneck, Hawthorne, and Glen Rock.[8][9]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas | Joan Kahl | TV movie |
| 1992 | Sister Act | Choir Nun | |
| 1993 | Law & Order | Mrs. Wrenn | Episode: "Virus" |
| 1993 | Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit | Choir Nun | |
| 1998 | Mulan | Voice | |
| 2000 | Ed | Molly's Mom | Episode: "The Whole Truth" |
| 2001 | Friends & Family | Mrs. Torcelli | |
| 2006 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Margaret Collo | Episode: "On Fire" |
| 2008 | Back to Me | Beth | Short |
| 2009 | Did You Hear About the Morgans? | Ma Simmons | |
| 2010 | The Extra Man | Ms. Marsh | |
| 2011 | Silhouette | Paige | |
| 2011 | I Don't Know How She Does It | Clark's Secretary | |
| 2007–2012 | Gossip Girl | Mistress of Ceremonies | 3 episodes |
| 2013–2016 | Orange Is the New Black | Sister Jane Ingalls | 32 episodes Recurring role Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |
References
edit- ^ a b League, The Broadway. "Beth Fowler – Broadway Cast & Staff - IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
- ^ "'Orange Is the New Black' star talks about Jersey City roots in podcast". 8 August 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
- ^ a b Delhauer, Patricia. "Meet Beth Fowler" omagdigital.com, September 5, 2018
- ^ "Actress Beth Fowler Visits Her Alma Mater Caldwell University" caldwell.edu, March 24, 2015
- ^ "From parish to prison, N.J. actress Beth Fowler can't escape the convent". 27 July 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
- ^ "The Boy From Oz | IBDB: The official source for Broadway Information". www.ibdb.com. Archived from the original on 2009-11-07.
- ^ Michelle McCue (26 January 2015). "BIRDMAN, DOWNTON ABBEY Big Winners At 21st Screen Actors Guild Awards". We Are Movie Geeks. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
- ^ Beckerman, Jim. "Fowler draws on salon ties for role" Archived June 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, The Record (Bergen County), March 12, 2008. Accessed March 12, 2008. "Born in Jersey City, raised in Rutherford (she cut her acting teeth with the Bergen County Players in Oradell), she lived in Teaneck, Hawthorne and Glen Rock before settling, eight years ago, in New Milford."
- ^ a b Klein, Alvin. "Theater; A Musical Powerhouse Returns to the Stage" The New York Times, November 26, 2000