Megan Hilty

Megan Kathleen Hilty (born March 29, 1981)[1] is an American actress and singer. She rose to prominence for her roles in Broadway musicals, including her performance as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5: The Musical, and her Tony Award-nominated role as Brooke Ashton in Noises Off. She also starred as Ivy Lynn on the musical-drama series Smash, on which she sang the Grammy Award-nominated "Let Me Be Your Star", and portrayed Liz on the sitcom Sean Saves the World.

Megan Hilty
Hilty in May 2008
Born
Megan Kathleen Hilty

(1981-03-29) March 29, 1981
Bellevue, Washington, U.S.
EducationCarnegie Mellon University (BFA)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1995; 2005–present
Spouse(s)
Brian Gallagher
(
m. 2013)
Children2

Early life

Hilty was born in Bellevue, Washington, the daughter of Donna and Jack Hilty. She began taking vocal lessons at the age of 12, and was interested in performing opera. She attended Sammamish High School in Bellevue, then transferred to the Washington Academy of Performing Arts Conservatory High School in Redmond, and later attended the Chrysalis School, Woodinville.[2]

She graduated from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in 2004, and is a member of Actors' Equity Association. She is a recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters Award for Excellence in Musical Theater.

Career

Shortly before graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Hilty auditioned for the musical Wicked. She moved to New York City after graduating, and in August 2004 made her Broadway debut as the standby for Glinda the Good Witch, before taking over the role from Jennifer Laura Thompson on May 31, 2005. After playing the role for a year, Hilty ended her run on May 28, 2006 and was succeeded by Kate Reinders. She then reprised the role on the first national tour of the show from September through December 2006, replacing Kendra Kassebaum. She was succeeded by Christina DeCicco. Soon after, she originated the role in the Los Angeles sit-down production, which began previews on February 10, 2007, and opened February 21. She left the production on May 18, 2008 and was replaced by Erin Mackey, only to return on October 31, 2008, to close the production, which played its final performance January 11, 2009.[3]

Hilty starred in the musical Vanities during its premiere engagement at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts in Mountain View, California. In addition to her stage work, Hilty has made guest appearances on various television shows including The Closer, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Ugly Betty, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Desperate Housewives, and Shark. She was the singing voice of Snow White in the animated feature film Shrek the Third.

In 2008, Hilty joined Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, and Marc Kudisch in the musical adaptation of the 1980 film 9 to 5. The production was directed by Joe Mantello, with a pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, which opened on September 9, 2008. Hilty had participated in workshops and readings as the character Doralee Rhodes (the character Dolly Parton had played in the film version). The musical began preview performances on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on April 7, 2009, with an official opening on April 30, 2009, closing on September 6, 2009. For this role, Hilty was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance, and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical.[4][5][6]

Hilty supporting The Trevor Project in December 2013

In 2009, Hilty appeared in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation entitled "Deep Fried and Minty Fresh", playing a fast food manager helping out with a murder at Choozy's Chicken. She also appeared in two episodes of Desperate Housewives as the other woman to Carlos' boss. Hilty also lent her talents in Rated RSO: The Music and Lyrics of Ryan Scott Oliver at The Boston Court Performing Arts Center in December 2009, alongside Lesli Margherita, Steve Kazee, Morgan Karr, Natalie Weiss, among others. Hilty also branched off into a coffee and tea product line.[7] In 2010, Hilty confirmed that she would voice the character of the China Princess in the animated film Dorothy of Oz. In 2011, it was announced that she was cast in the NBC musical-drama series Smash, opposite Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston, and Brian d'Arcy James.[8] The series premiered on February 6, 2012 and aired for two seasons.

In May 2012, Hilty appeared in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, as a part of the Encores! staged concert series. She appeared as Lorelei Lee alongside performers Brennan Brown, Simon Jones and Rachel York. Hilty received rave reviews for her performance, with The New York Times rating her performance on par with those of Carol Channing and Marilyn Monroe.[9][10]

In November 2012, it was announced that Hilty would appear on the album I'm Ready: The Songs of Rob Rokicki.[11] Hilty released her debut solo album, It Happens All the Time, on March 12, 2013.[12] On June 13, 2013, it was announced that Hilty would star alongside Sean Hayes in NBC sitcom Sean Saves the World.

In July 2015, it was reported that Hilty would return to Broadway in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Noises Off, portraying Brooke Ashton.[13] For her performance in the role, Hilty received nominations for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play, and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance.[14][15][16] That same year, she recurred as Charlene on Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce.[17] On July 7, 2016, Hilty appeared alongside Matthew Morrison for an evening with The New York Pops at the Forest Hills Stadium, Queens.[18]

Personal life

Hilty was in a relationship with actor Steve Kazee from 2005 until 2012.[19] On November 2, 2013, Hilty married actor Brian Gallagher in Las Vegas, Nevada.[20] In March 2014, she announced that she was expecting their first child.[21] Hilty gave birth to a girl, Viola Philomena Gallagher, on September 18, 2014.[22] On September 24, 2016, she announced that she was pregnant with her second child.[23] Their son Ronan was born on March 13, 2017.[24]

Stage
Year Title Role Location
2004-05 Wicked Standby for Glinda Gershwin Theatre
2005–06 Wicked Glinda Gershwin Theatre
2006 Vanities Mary Mountain View Center
2006 Wicked Glinda North American National Tour
2007-08; 2008-09 Wicked Glinda Hollywood Pantages Theatre
2009 9 to 5: The Musical Doralee Rhodes Marquis Theatre
2012 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Lorelei Lee New York City Center
2015 Annie Get Your Gun Annie Oakley New York City Center
2016 Noises Off Brooke Ashton American Airlines Theatre
2018 Little Shop of Horrors Audrey John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Shrek the Third Snow White (singing voice)
2010 What Happens Next Ruthie
2010 Bitter Feast Peg
2010 Happiest Man Alive Woman Short film
2011 The Maiden and the Princess Adult Maiden (voice)
2012 Secret of the Wings Rosetta (voice)
2014 The Pirate Fairy Rosetta (voice)
2014 Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast Rosetta (voice)
2014 Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return China Princess / Queen Mouse (voice)
2016 Rules Don't Apply Sally

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1995 The X-Files Jessica (uncredited) Episode: "Irresistible"
2007 The Suite Life of Zack & Cody Enid Episode: "The Arwin That Came to Dinner"
2007 The Closer Michelle Edwards 2 episodes
2007 Ugly Betty Glinda the Good Witch Episode: "Something Wicked This Way Comes"
2008 Shark Laurel Hasbrouck Episode: "One Hit Wonder"
2009 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Kiwi Long Episode: "Deep Fried and Minty Fresh"
2009 Desperate Housewives Shayla Grove 2 episodes
2009 Eli Stone Cheryl Episode: "Flight Path"
2010 Phineas and Ferb Aunt Tiana (voice) Episode: "Just Passing Through/Candace's Big Day"
2009–10 Glenn Martin, DDS Singing Bum (voice) 2 episodes
2010 Bones Julie Coyle Episode: "The Death of the Queen Bee"
2010 Louie Heckler Episode: "Heckler/Cop Movie"
2011 Prayer Hour Jo Ellen Television film
2011 Melissa & Joey Tiffany Longo 2 episodes
2011 The Penguins of Madagascar Frances Alberta (voice) Episode: "The Hoboken Surprise"
2011 Pixie Hollow Games Rosetta (voice) Television short
2012–13 Smash Ivy Lynn 32 episodes
2012–13 Robot and Monster J.D. (voice) 12 episodes
2013–14 Sean Saves the World Liz 13 episodes
2014 Dora and Friends: Into the City! La Vida (voice) Episode: "Dora Saves Opera Land"
2016 I Shudder Sarah Morelle Television pilot
2016 Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce Charlene Frumpkis 3 episodes
2016 The Good Wife Holly Westfall 3 episodes
2016 BrainDead Misty Alise 4 episodes
2017-2018 Sofia the First Prisma (voice)
2018 The Wingits Mom (voice) Pilot
2018 The Good Fight Holly Westfall Episode: "Day 457"
2018 Santa's Boots Holly Television film
2019 Patsy & Loretta Patsy Cline Television film Lifetime
2019 - present T.O.T.S. K.C the Koala Main Role
2020 It's Pony Beatrice (voice)

Awards and nominations
Year Award Work Result
2006 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Female Replacement Wicked Nominated
2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical 9 to 5: The Musical Nominated
Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated
Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Actress in a Musical Nominated
2013 Dorian Award for TV Musical Performance of the Year "Let Me Be Your Star" from Smash Nominated
Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series Robot and Monster Nominated
Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a TV Special/Direct-to-DVD Title or Theatrical Short Secret of the Wings Nominated
2015 The Pirate Fairy Nominated
Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return Nominated
2016 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Featured Actress in a Play Noises Off Won
Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play Nominated
Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Nominated
Drama League Award for Distinguished Performance Nominated
gollark: This is cool at 2x speed.
gollark: Or humans or some other species will beat entropy, hack the universe and stop anything from dying ever.
gollark: I mean, ultimately, long after the last stars burn out, the fuel of giant stars of the bright, early universe we live in having long been exhausted, giving way to red dwarves which will themselves slowly fade to black, the matter in them having decayed (possibly), there will be nothing but slowly evaporating black holes. And eventually even these will vanish, leaving nothing but electromagnetic radiation being slowly redshifted, with no energy gradients able to sustain life.
gollark: Sure!
gollark: I mean, death won't happen forever.

References
  1. "30 Under 30 – Megan Hilty". BroadwaySpace.com. 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-02-03.
  2. Owen, Rob (January 29, 2012). "'Smash's' Megan Hilty 'obsessed' with singing". The Seattle Times. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  3. "Espinosa and Hilty to Return to Los Angeles Cast of Wicked". Playbill.com. October 17, 2008. Archived from the original on October 20, 2008.
  4. "Billy Elliot and Shrek Top Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations". Playbill.com. April 20, 2009. Archived from the original on April 23, 2009.
  5. "75th Annual Drama League Award Nominees Announced". Playbill. April 21, 2009. Archived from the original on May 8, 2009.
  6. "Drama Desk Nominees Announced; 9 to 5 Garners 15 Nominations". Playbill.com. April 27, 2009. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009.
  7. "Megan Hilty". Net Worth Coffee Brokers. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved April 16, 2014.
  8. "Megan Hilty to Star in NBC's Musical Pilot". BroadwayWorld.com. February 9, 2011.
  9. Brantley, Ben (May 10, 2012). "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, with Megan Hilty, at City Center". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  10. "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Review". Theatre Mania. May 10, 2012.
  11. "Megan Hilty, Emma Hunton and More Set for Rob Rokicki's Album Release Concert, 11/19". BroadwayWorld.com. November 2, 2012.
  12. "New CD from 'Smash' star Megan Hilty doesn't ease on down the Broadway-diva road". The Washington Post. March 15, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  13. Snetiker, Marc (July 24, 2015). "Megan Hilty, Campbell Scott and more join Noises Off on Broadway". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  14. "2016 Tony Awards Nominations: HAMILTON Breaks Record with 16! And the Nominees Are..." BroadwayWorld.com. May 3, 2016.
  15. "SHE LOVES ME, HAMILTON, THE CRUCIBLE & More Earn 2016 Drama League Nominations; Check Out the Full List!". BroadwayWorld.com. April 28, 2016.
  16. "The 2016 Drama Desk Nominations: SHE LOVES ME, AMERICAN PSYCHO & BRIGHT STAR Lead!"". BroadwayWorld.com. April 28, 2016.
  17. Sandberg, Bryn Elise (July 21, 2015). "'Smash' Alum Megan Hilty Joins 'Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  18. Clement, Olivia (July 7, 2016). "Megan Hilty and Matthew Morrison Join the New York Pops Tonight". Playbill.com.
  19. Healy, Patrick (May 16, 2012). "A Role That Cuts Close to His Heart". The New York Times.
  20. Webber, Stephanie (November 3, 2013). "Megan Hilty Marries Brian Gallagher, Former Smash Star Weds In Intimate Las Vegas Venetian Chapel". Us Weekly.
  21. "Megan Hilty Pregnant With First Child". The Hollywood Reporter. March 30, 2014.
  22. Maquina, Sierra (September 19, 2014). "Megan Hilty Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby Girl Viola Philomena With Husband". Us Weekly.
  23. Clement, Olivia. "Megan Hilty Announces Pregnancy" Playbill, September 24, 2016
  24. McPhee, Ryan. "Megan Hilty and Brian Gallagher Welcome Newborn Son" Playbill, March 20, 2017
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