Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald celebrates her birthday July 3.

McDonald made her Broadway debut as a replacement for Ayah in The Secret Garden. In the three decades since, she has enjoyed a prolific and acclaimed career, starring in everything from lush musicals like Carousel to searing dramas like A Raisin in the Sun. Known for her soaring soprano, she has won Tony Awards for her performances in Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, The Gershwins’ Porgy, and Bess, A Raisin in the Sun, and Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. She was last seen on Broadway in Terrence McNally's Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune with Michael Shannon.

In addition to her six Tonys, McDonald has won two Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, and several other accolades. Some of her movie and TV roles include Madame Garderobe in the live-action Beauty and the Beast , Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music Live!, and Sally in Hello, Again. In 2017 she was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

In honor of the seminal performer, look back at highlights from her career.

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Celebrating 6-Time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald

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