Home / Arts and Entertainment / Broadway Icon Sondra Lee Dies at 95
Broadway Icon Sondra Lee Dies at 95
25 Feb
Summary
- Lee died Monday of natural causes in her New York apartment.
- She coached A-list actors like Jane Fonda and Marlon Brando.
- Lee had a nine-decade career spanning dance, acting, and writing.
Sondra Lee, a celebrated dancer, actress, and coach, passed away peacefully on Monday in her New York apartment at the age of 95. Born on September 30, 1928, in Newark, New Jersey, Lee embarked on a remarkable nine-decade career in the performing arts.
Her Broadway debut occurred in 1947, and she later gained prominence for her role as Tiger Lily in the 1954 production of Peter Pan, which was also the first full-length Broadway show filmed for color television. Lee's extensive career included roles in "Hello, Dolly!" and collaborations with renowned choreographers like Jerome Robbins.
Beyond her stage performances, Lee was a sought-after acting coach, mentoring a generation of stars including Jane Fonda, Marlon Brando, and Amy Adams. She also lent her expertise as a consultant on numerous films, contributing to productions like "The Last of the Mohicans."
Lee's influence extended to directing cabaret shows and authoring a memoir. Her last public appearance was a concert performance of "Hello, Dolly!" at Carnegie Hall in June 2026, where she received a standing ovation as the last surviving original principal artist.
