Portrait of Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo

Acting

Biography

Cynthia Chinasaokwu Onyedinmanasu Amarachukwu Owezuke Echimino Erivo(/əˈriːvoʊ/ə-REE-voh; born 8 January 1987) is a British actress and singer. Known for her work on both stage and screen, she is the recipient of several accolades and one of the few individuals nominated for an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award (EGOT), winning all but the Oscar. Erivo made her West End debut in the stage musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (2011). She later made her Broadway debut playing Celie in the musical revival of The Color Purple (2015–2017). Erivo's work for the production won her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album, as well as a Daytime Emmy Award. She expanded to films in 2018 with the crime thrillers Widows and Bad Times at the El Royale. Erivo earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress for portraying Harriet Tubman in Harriet (2019) and Elphaba in Wicked (2024), as well as a nomination for Best Original Song for the song "Stand Up" from the former. On television, Erivo portrayed Holly Gibney in the HBO crime drama miniseries The Outsider (2020) and Aretha Franklin in National Geographic's anthology series Genius: Aretha (2021); the latter earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. As a singer, she has released singles as well as two solo albums in 2021 and 2025. Description above from the Wikipedia article Cynthia Erivo, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Born: January 8, 1987

Place of Birth: Stockwell, London, England, UK

Filmography

2027
Bad Fairies

as Jayne Staplegun (voice)

2025
2025
2025
RoboGobo

as The Slink (voice)

2024
2024
Wicked

as Elphaba

2024
Drift

as Jacqueline Kamara

2023
Off Script with The Hollywood Reporter

as Self - Roundtable Talent

2023
Luther: The Fallen Sun

as Odette Raine

2023
Poker Face

as Amber / Delia / Cece / Bebe Kazinsky / Felicty Price

2022
Sherri

as Self - Guest

2022
Pinocchio

as Blue Fairy

2022
Roar

as Ambia

2021
Needle in a Timestack

as Janine Mikkelsen

2021
Star Wars: Visions

as Kratu (voice)

2021
2020
The Boss Baby: Get That Baby!

as Turtleneck Superstar (voice)

2020
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

as Self - Phone a Friend

2020
The Outsider

as Holly Gibney

2019
Harriet

as Harriet Tubman

2019
2018
Widows

as Belle

2018
2018
2018
The Boss Baby: Back in Business

as Turtleneck Superstar CEO Baby (voice)

2018
2018
2017
Genius

as Aretha Franklin

2016
To Tell the Truth

as Self - Panelist

2015
Chewing Gum

as Magdalene

2014
Chicken Shop Date

as Self - Guest

2014
Broad City

as Lisa

2012
RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars

as Self - Guest Judge

2011
The Voice

as Self - Advisor

2009
RuPaul's Drag Race

as Self - Guest Judge

2005
Dancing with the Stars

as Self - Guest

2004
Project Runway

as Self - Guest

2004
Strictly Come Dancing

as Self - Guest Mentor

1997
The View

as Self - Guest

1996
1988
1971
Great Performances

as Self - Performer

1959
1956
Tony Awards

as Self - Host

1953
The Oscars

as Self

1944
Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Nominee