American actress, singer and dancer, the youngest person ever inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. Peters won a Golden Globe for the film “Pennies From Heaven,” 1981; nominated four times, she won a Tony Award for “Song and Dance” in 1985. She received a nomination for a Grammy in January 1997. A larger-than-life star, when she’s not on Broadway she is on TV, in films, does voices for animated features and sells out Carnegie Hall and other venues. She also developed a night club act to showcase her talents.
Bernadette’s father drove a bread truck and her mom wanted to be an actress. Starting tap lessons at age three and singing lessons at five, her imitation of Sophie Tucker gained her a spot on the “Horn and Hardart Children’s Hour.” She attended Quintano’s School for Young Professionals in Manhattan and at 17 she decided it was time for acting lessons. She played in the musical “The Most Happy Fella” in 1959, but her part as Ruby in “Dames At Sea” 1966 allowed people to see that this young woman who looked like a Dresden figurine with long curly hair had a big voice. Losing the part to Ann-Margaret for the TV special, she decided to go to Hollywood to become known. She appeared on the Carol Burnett Show, in “All’s Fair” and one season series with Richard Crenna and in her first film, “Ace Eli and Rodger Of The Skies,” 1973.
Her first film was Mel Brooks’ “Silent Movie,” followed by “Pennies from Heaven,” “Heartbeeps” and “Annie,” as well as Broadway’s “Into the Woods.” A versatile, talented woman, she is also an accomplished ballad’s singer.
Peters had an off screen romance with Steve Martin from 1978-1984. She married Michael Wittenberg, a financial advisor 14 years her junior on 7/20/1996 Millbrook, N.Y.., a first marriage for both.
Sadly, her beloved husband, died in a helicopter crash in Montenegro on September 26, 2005.
Link to Wikipedia biography