LEA DELARIA seems to have achieved overnight stardom with her two time, SAG Award winning, stand-out role as Carrie ‘Big Boo’ Black in the Netflix hit series Orange is the New Black. However, DeLaria’s multi-faceted career as a comedian, actress, and jazz musician has, in fact, spanned decades.
DeLaria holds the distinction of being the first openly gay comic on television in America which led to countless television and film roles portraying police lieutenants, PE teachers and the lesbian who inappropriately hits on straight women. She’s received Obie & Theater World Awards and a Drama Desk nomination for her portrayal as Hildy in the Public Theatre’s revival of On The Town and an Ovation nomination for The Boys From Syracuse.
DeLaria was the featured vocalist at the 50th Anniversary of the Newport Jazz Festival, and has performed in some of the most prestigious houses in the world including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Chicago Symphony, Hollywood Bowl, The Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
