Although to some she's best known as the mother of Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow, this handsome, husky-voiced actress has enjoyed her own illustrious, award-winning career both on stage and screen. Initially a theater player, she earned a Tony for her Broadway debut as a free spirit in the drama
Butterflies Are Free, yet she wasn't considered enough of a name to reprise the role in the 1972 film adaptation. In a way, that summed up Hollywood's attitude toward her for the next three decades. Although she worked steadily on both the big and small screens — except for a self-imposed hiatus to raise her children with TV-producer husband Bruce Paltrow in the '80s — she was never regarded as a star. All that changed in the '00s when a series of high-profile maternal roles brought the still sexy sexagenarian more awards — and more fame — than ever. She was charming as Robert De Niro's sweet, Waspy wife in the 2000 hit comedy
Meet the Parents and reprised the part in its 2004 sequel
Meet the Fockers, and a recurring role as Will's blueblood mom on
Will & Grace earned her a pair of Emmy nods. Her part on
Huff as the title character's eccentric mother finally won her industry recognition in the form of two consecutive Emmys. Unfortunately her career resurrection was bittersweet as it coincided with the death of her longtime husband, Paltrow, in 2003.
Blythe Danner Fast Facts:
- In 1974, during her first of many summers at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, she played Nina in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull; 20 years later, she appeared as Arkadina in the same play while her daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, played Nina.
- Has twice played Paltrow's mother on screen: in the TV miniseries Cruel Doubt (1992) and the feature film Sylvia (2003).
- Played Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer's mother in the Two and a Half Men pilot, but claimed she didn't have a feel for the role and was subsequently replaced by Holland Taylor.
- Received three Emmy nominations in 2005: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Will & Grace; Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for Back When We Were Grown Ups; and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Huff. She won for Huff.
- Blythe Danner Relationships:
- Bruce Paltrow - Husband (deceased)
- Chevy Chase - Ex-significant Other
- Gwyneth Paltrow - Daughter
- Harry Danner - Brother
- Harry Danner - Father
- Hillary Danner - Niece
- Jake Paltrow - Son
- Katharine Danner - Mother
- Katherine Moennig - Niece
- William Moennig - Half Brother
- Blythe Danner Awards:
- 2005 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2002 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Winner
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Winner
- 1970 Tony: Actress, Supporting or Featured (Dramatic) - Winner
- 2001 Tony: Actress (Musical) - Nominee
- 1980 Tony: Actress (Play) - Nominee
- 1988 Tony: Actress (Play) - Nominee
- College:
- Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY (BA, 1965)
