Biography for
Kristin Chenoweth More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

24 July 1968, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, USA

Birth Name

Kristi Dawn Chenoweth

Nickname

Cheno

Height

4' 11" (1.50 m)

Trade Mark

Is known for wearing the colour pink.

Her unique voice

Short stature

Trivia

Earned a bachelor's degree in musical theater from Oklahoma City University, which she attended on a full scholarship to study voice. Afterwards, she studied for and earned a master's degree in opera performance.

Finished 2nd runner-up in the Miss Oklahoma pageant.

Was engaged to Marc Kudisch for three years - the relationship ended in 2001. Chenoweth turned down the role of Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie on Broadway in Spring 2002, in which Kudisch coincidentally played Trevor Graydon III. Turned down the role of Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie at the La Jolla Playhouse to star in the NBC sitcom "Kristin" (2001).

In 2002, released her debut solo recording entitled "Let Yourself Go," a collection of old standards from the 1930s and '40s. In 2005, she released a second album called "As I Am," which featured various spiritual songs.

Won a full scholarship to the Philadelphia Academy of Vocal Arts, but turned it down when she received a role in an off-Broadway play.

Is a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Won Broadway's 1999 Tony Award as Best Actress (Featured Role - Musical" for her portrayal of Sally in a revival of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." Was nominated as Best Actress (Musical) in 2004 for her role as Galinda/Glinda in "Wicked."

Has a dog, Maltese, named Maddie, after her idol, actress Madeline Kahn.

She has incredible relative pitch and near-perfect pitch.

She was shortlisted to play Roxie Hart in Chicago (2002), but the part ultimately went to Renée Zellweger. Kristin was also approached for the part of Mary Sunshine (which went to Christine Baranski).

Is a 1986 graduate of Broken Arrow High School in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

She is 1/4 Cherokee. Although she was adopted, she has information about her biological family. Her birth parents were a flight attendant and a married pilot.

Shares a birthday with Jennifer Lopez. However Kristin was born a year earlier.

Nicole Kidman met Kristin after a performance of "Wicked" and said she had enjoyed her performance as "Glinda the Good Witch" and that she would get a part written specifically for her in Kidman's new movie, Bewitched (2005). A few months later, Kidman followed up on her promise.

Is trained in singing opera. Has ongoing performances with various symphony orchestras.

She is a natural brunette.

As a child, Kristin auditioned for a role as an orphan in the 1982 film version of the Broadway musical, "Annie". She didn't get the part, primarily because her "New Yorker" accent (an imitation of Barbra Streisand) sounded too phony. But Kristin later played the dim-witted villain "Lily St. Regis" in a made-for-TV movie of the musical.

Named #49 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006).

Fell down twelve concrete stairs and broke several ribs (9/2007).

Was in the running for the Madeline Kahn role in the stage version of Young Frankenstein (1974) but took the role on "Pushing Daisies" (2007), instead.

Took some time off to take care of her sick mother, Junie Chenoweth, (who was diagnosed with breast cancer) but her mother has since recovered [April 26, 2008].

Her parents live in the Houston suburb of Spring, TX where Lee Pace, her "Pushing Daisies" (2007) co-star, grew up.

Has a brother.

When Chenoweth was a guest star on the TV show "Glee" (2009), series regular Chris Colfer told The L.A. Times that for him, "working with Kristin is what I can imagine what a priest would go through if they worked with Jesus".

Broke up with Lane Garrison in 2006.

Has had two television characters based on her: the main character, Kristin Yancey, in her short-lived eponymous sitcom "Kristin" (2001), and the character Harriet Hayes (played by Sarah Paulson) on her one time boyfriend Aaron Sorkin's show "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (2006).

Personal Quotes

On being four feet, eleven inches tall: "I used to want to be tall, and then I thought, 'If I were tall, then people would say I was pretty and not cute.' And then I realized that there are worse things than being called cute. They could say I was a bitch, which would be terrible in my book. So I've decided that this height ain't so bad."

"I was a spiritual kid." (Guidepost Magazine)

"I've never changed my clothes so fast in my life." - accepting her 1999 Tony Award, when she had to quickly change out of costume as her award was presented immediately following a musical number she performed in.

I am a Christian and I don't want there to be any confusion about what I believe or who I am. I don't believe gay people are going to hell. I believe that judgment is left to the one upstairs and I believe Jesus is all about love. If I can live my life even just a smidgen the way God made his son for us as an example, I'm happy. I do not judge other people for what they believe, but for me, this is what works.

I'm a very controversial figure in the Christian world. I don't believe if you're gay or you have a drink or you dance, you're going to hell. I don't think that's the kind of God we have. The Pat Robertsons and Jerry Falwells of the world are scary. I want to be a Christian like Christ - loving and accepting of other people.

When I was promoting "As I Am" last year, I went on "The 700 Club" (1966). I wasn't thinking about what it represents. I guess I was living in a little bit of a bubble, and I was surprised that it upset so many people. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't go, because I don't agree with that anti-gay stuff. I don't understand what the big deal is with gay marriage. Get over it, people. What if it was a sin to be short? Well, I guess it is in the Miss Oklahoma pageant.

I said O.K. I was happy to give him that gift. And I watch every week because I'm supportive of Aaron; whether we're together or not, I love him always. I think it's a genius show. But...it is weird when I see her behaving in ways that are different from me. I'm really not that judgmental girl. But you have to let artists go where they go - quoted in The New York Times describing how she gave Aaron Sorkin permission to create the "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" (2006) character "Harriet Hayes", based on her.

Where Are They Now

(October 2003) Playing the role of Glinda in the new musical Wicked. opened October 30, 2003

(July 2004) Left the cast of Wicked on July 18, 2004. Her role was taken over by Jennifer Laura Thompson.

(September 2004) Performing at Carnegie Hall, finishing up her second solo album and preparing to film _Asphalt Beach (2007)_ and Bewitched (2005).

(December 2004) Plays Annabeth Schott in the NBC series, "The West Wing" (1999).

(February 2005) Currently working on her sophomore album, expected to be released in April. The album will include songs written for her, and some covers. The theme is "inspirational."

(May 2005) Portrays the roles of Eve, Princess Barbára, and Ella/Pasionella (all made famous by Barbara Harris) in the City Center Encores' mounting of "The Apple Tree" (Off-Broadway).

(November 2005) In addition to starring on "The West Wing" (1999), she has been doing many commercials for Old Navy.

(November 2006) Will be starring in Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of "The Apple Tree" as Eve, Princess Barbara, Ella and Passionella.

(2007) Developing a movie biography of Dusty Springfield.

(September 2007) Co-starring in ABC's new TV show, "Pushing Daisies" (2007).

(December 2007) Currently starring on the hit new series "Pushing Daisies" (2007), which is on hold due to the writers' strike but will be returning.

(February 2008) the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre, in Los Angeles, California

(October 2008) Finishing writing her memoir, "A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love and Faith in Stages". The book is due in April, 2009.

(October 2008) Finished recording her Christmas album, A Lovely Way to Spend Christmas".

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