Lesley Ann Warren has built one of the most diverse and enduring careers in show business.
With her wide-eyed beauty, unmistakable voice, and fearless range, she has shone in musicals, comedies, dramas, and thrillers across film, television, and Broadway. From her early days as a Disney princess to her critically acclaimed roles in edgy films, Warren has never stopped surprising audiences.
A Fairytale Beginning
Born on August 16, 1946, in New York City, Lesley Ann Warren studied ballet at the School of American Ballet and later trained at the famed Actors Studio. Her breakout moment came at just 17 years old when she starred as Cinderella in the 1965 CBS musical production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The televised event introduced Warren to millions and established her as America’s newest sweetheart.
The role would prove iconic, and even decades later, audiences still remember her luminous performance and heartfelt singing.
Broadway and Early Film Work
After Cinderella, Warren quickly found success on Broadway, earning a Theatre World Award for her performance in 110 in the Shade. Her youthful energy and musical chops made her a standout in stage musicals.
She transitioned to film in the late 1960s, appearing in movies like The Happiest Millionaire and The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, both Disney productions. But as she matured, Warren pushed beyond ingénue roles, determined to show her depth as an actress.
Reinvention and Critical Acclaim
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Warren took on edgier roles and worked to reinvent herself in the eyes of both Hollywood and audiences. Her performance as a troubled call girl in Night in Heaven (1983) and as the over-the-top but lovable Miss Scarlet in Clue (1985) showed her comedic timing and fearlessness.
But it was her Oscar-nominated role in Victor/Victoria (1982) that proved her true range. Playing a ditzy yet emotionally layered showgirl opposite Julie Andrews and James Garner, Warren earned widespread praise and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Television Success
Lesley Ann Warren also enjoyed a prolific television career. She earned multiple Golden Globe nominations and won in 1978 for her role in Harold Robbins’ 79 Park Avenue. She starred in numerous TV movies and miniseries, and in the 1990s, she gained a new fan base with recurring roles on popular series like Will & Grace, Desperate Housewives, and In Plain Sight.
Warren became known for playing complex, sometimes unpredictable women — often glamorous, sometimes unhinged, but always memorable.
Personal Life
Lesley Ann Warren was married to producer Jon Peters in the 1960s and later married choreographer and film director Ronald Taft. She has one son, actor and producer Christopher Peters. Despite her Hollywood roots, she has largely kept her personal life out of the spotlight, focusing instead on her craft and carefully chosen roles.
