She’s lit up the small and big screens, plus the stage, and won many awards for her boundless talent! Get to know One Life to Live star Judith Light!
Jersey Gal
Light is a New Jersey native, born in Trenton on February 9.
Drama Queen
Judith studied drama at the renowned Carnegie Mellon University program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Small Screen Debut
Judith’s television debut was not as Karen on OLTL. Rather, it was on the cop drama Kojak. The episode was entitled “Monkey on a String.”
Soap Stardom
Light made her OLTL entrance in 1977, as iconic character, housewife-turned-prostitute Karen Wolek. She played the role until 1983. In fact, it is said that Karen’s classic courtroom confession scene is a staple in acting classes.
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Daytime Emmy Recognition
Light was rewarded twice with Daytime’s highest accolade for her OLTL performances. She won in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama in both 1980 and 1981.
Boss Lady
Light established herself not just as a leader in the soap acting field but on series television as well. She made the jump from OLTL to Who’s the Boss as career woman Angela Bower opposite Tony Danza in 1984 and starred on the series until 1992.
Stage Presence
Judith is a theater veteran, both on and Off-Broadway. Among her many credits are the plays Other Desert Cities and The Assembles Parties, both for which she won the coveted Tony award for Featured Actress in a Play.
Acting and Activism
Of course, we know Light for her extraordinary acting ability. But, she’s also a passionate activist. She has lent her time to many LGBT and AIDS causes and sits on a variety of boards dedicated to them.
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Streaming Success
Light stars on the Amazon Prime hit, Transparent in which she plays Shelly Pfefferman. She has been nominated for many awards for this role–a SAG award, Critic’s Choice, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy.
Homefront
OLTL is never far from Light. She’s been married to her former co-star, Robert Desiderio (ex-Steve Piermont) since 1985.
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