Raised in Washington, D.C., Frances Sternhagen taught acting, singing and dancing to school children before first performing herself with the Arena Stage Group. Since that time, she has been seen in numerous Broadway show, has been nominated five times for a Tony Award and received one for "The Good Doctor". Other shows that she has appeared in include "Equus", "On Golden Pond", "Angel" and "You Can't Take it With You". Ms. Sternhagen's film debut was in _Up the Down Staircase . She delighted Off-Broadway audiences for over two years with her feisty portrayal of the title character in "Driving Miss Daisy".
Widowed mother of 6 children.
Graduated Vassar College.
Nominated for Tony award, along with two other female cast members, as Best Featured Actress in a Play, for role in "Mornings At Seven", May 2002.
Has won two Tony Awards: in 1974 as Best Supporting or Featured Actress for "The Good Doctor," and in 1995 as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) for a revival of "The Heiress." She has been nominated five other times: as Best Supporting or Featured Actress in 1972 for a revival "The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window" and in 1975 for "Equus;" as Best Actress in 1978 for "Angel;" as Best Actress (Play) in 1979 for "On Golden Pond;" and as Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) in 2002 for a revival of "Mornings at Seven."
Shes the daughter of a U.S. tax court judge.
Awarded the The Helen Hayes Tribute by the Helen Hayes Award Organization on April 16, 2007.
Mother of actors Paul Carlin , Tony Carlin , Amanda Carlin , and Peter Carlin.
Studied with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse during the 1960s.
(March 2005) Starring in Steel Magnolias on Broadway (as Clairee the Olympia Dukakis role in the movie)
On Broadway in "Mornings at Seven"
Her paternal great-grandparents were all German immigrants.
