Stockard Channing is a highly skilled American theater, television, and film actress. She gained recognition for her roles as ‘First Lady Abbey Bartlet’ on the popular ‘NBC’ show ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Betty Rizzo’ in the movie ‘Grease.’
With a career spanning more than 40 years, she has delivered numerous dynamic and acclaimed performances in both stage and screen productions.
Stockard Channing Bio Summary
Full name: Susan Williams Antonia Stockard
Date of birth: February 13, 1944
Place of birth: Manhattan
Gender: Female
Mother’s name: Mary Alice English
Father’s name: Lester Napier Stockard
Siblings: Lesly Stockard Smith
Nationality: American
Age: 77
Height: 5 ft 2 in
Education: Havard University
Profession: Actress
Marital status: Divorced
Ex-husbands names: Walter Channing Jr, Paul Schmidt, David Debin, David Rawle
Early Life & Education
Susan Williams Antonia Stockard, also known as Stockard Channing, was born on February 13, 1944, in Manhattan, New York City, US. Her parents were Lester Napier Stockard, who worked in shipping, and Mary Alice, who came from a large Irish Catholic family in Brooklyn. She grew up in the Upper East Side.
After attending the ‘Chapin School’ in New York City, she studied at the ‘Madeira School’ in McLean, Virginia. She then pursued her education at ‘Radcliffe College’ in Massachusetts, majoring in history and literature and earning a “summa cum laude” distinction in 1965.
In addition, she received acting training at ‘HB Studio’ in New York City. Her sister, Lesly Stockard Smith, held the position of mayor in Palm Beach, Florida.
Career
Stockard Channing’s acting journey started in Boston where she joined an avant-garde theater troupe. Together, they put on a rendition of Elaine May’s “Adaptation/Next” in 1969, followed by a revival of “Arsenic and Old Lace.”
Her first appearance on Broadway was in 1971 in the rock musical “Two Gentlemen of Verona,” a modern take on Shakespeare’s famous comedy.
In 1971, Stockard took to the Broadway stage for the first time in John Guare’s rock musical ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona.’ She also appeared in the 1985 Broadway revival of ‘A Day in the Death of Joe Egg,’ directed by Arvin Brown.
This production won the ‘Drama Desk Award’ for ‘Outstanding Revival’ and earned Stockard a nomination for another ‘Drama Desk Award’ and a ‘Tony Award.’
In 1972, Stockard Channing made her TV debut in the educational children’s series “Sesame Street” as “The Number Painter’s Female Victim.” Her first starring role was in the 1973 black-comedy TV movie “The Girl Most Likely To…” where she played “Miriam Knight.”
She had success on CBS with the sitcoms “Stockard Channing in Just Friends” and “The Stockard Channing Show”. She received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her performances in “Echoes in the Darkness”, “Perfect Witness”, “Road to Avonlea”, “An Unexpected Family”, “The Baby Dance”, and “Out of Practice”.
Her portrayal of ‘First Lady Abbey Bartlet’ in the ‘NBC’ political drama series ‘The West Wing’ was a standout in her career. From 1999 to 2006, she played the role, initially as a recurring character in seasons 1 and 2, and later as a main character in seasons 3 and 7.
This performance earned her numerous accolades, including the ‘Primetime Emmy Award’ for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series’ in 2002.
Stockard Channing began her journey in the film industry by taking on smaller roles, until she eventually landed her first major role in the 1975 American comedy film ‘The Fortune.’ Directed by Mike Nichols, the film showcased Stockard as ‘Freddie,’ a wealthy heiress.
Her portrayal earned her a nomination for the ‘Best Female Acting Debut in a Motion Picture’ at the ‘Golden Globe’ awards.
She was nominated for multiple awards, including an ‘Academy Award’ and a ‘Golden Globe,’ for her exceptional portrayal of ‘Louisa “Ouisa” Kittredge’ in the 1993 comedy-drama ‘Six Degrees of Separation.’
Over the years, she continued to excel in her film career, starring in movies like ‘Smoke’ (1995), ‘Up Close & Personal’ (1996), ‘Moll Flanders’ (1996), ‘The First Wives Club’ (1996), ‘Practical Magic’ (1998), and ‘The Business of Strangers’ (2001).
Personal Life
Stockard Channing has been through four marriages, but unfortunately, all of them have ended in divorce. Her first marriage was to Walter Channing, lasting from 1964 to 1967.
She then married Paul Schmidt in 1969, but their union ended in 1976. After that, she was married to David Debin from 1976 to 1980, and her final marriage was to David Rawle from 1982 to 1988.
For more than 20 years, she has been in a romantic relationship with cinematographer Daniel Gillham and they reside together in Maine when they are not busy with work.
Net Worth
Stockard Channing, a renowned American actress, has a net worth of $15 million. She gained recognition during the 1970s for her roles in “The Fortune” and “Grease.”
She has had a successful career in both movies and television, appearing in notable works such as “Six Degrees of Separation,” “Up Close & Personal,” “Anything Else,” “The West Wing,” and “The Good Wife.”
