Profile of Betty Buckley on Famous Like Me

Betty Lynn Buckley (born July 3, 1947) in Fort Worth, Texas, is an American theater, film, and television actress. Buckley attended Texas Christian University as a journalism major. She was crowned "Miss Fort Worth" in 1966 and was runner-up in the Miss Texas competition. Buckley made her Broadway debut in 1969 and has been called "The voice of Broadway!" by New York Magazine.

On Broadway, she has appeared in:

• 1776 - 1969, her Broadway debut as Martha Jefferson where she sang "He Plays the Violin."
• Cats - 1982 where she won the Tony Award for outstanding achievement in the theatre that year for playing Grizzabella.
• The Mystery of Edwin Drood - 1985
• Carrie - 1988 - as Carrie's mother, in a famed musical disaster
• Sunset Boulevard - 1994 (Andrew Lloyd Webber's adaptation of the film) as Norma Desmond, the aging diva silent screen actress.
• Triumph of Love - 1997 with F. Murray Abraham and Christopher Sieber

She is perhaps best known for the 1977-1981 TV dramedy Eight is Enough.She joined the show in its second season after the original star, Diana Hyland, died after the first four episodes of season one. Hyland's character (Joan Bradford) died, and Buckley was cast as Sandra Sue Abbott (nicknamed Abby), who went on to become step-mother to the 'eight' mentioned in the title.

Buckley also gave a much remembered performance in the original movie version of Carrie in 1976. She played Miss Collins, Carrie's friendly PE instructor. Despite being very close to Carrie, Miss Collins was not excluded in the movie's famous prom scene. She died when part of the roof collapsed on and electricuted her.

Buckley currently lives on a ranch in Parker County, Texas and participates in NCHA cutting horse competitions.

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