Brett Butler (actress)
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Brett Butler | |
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 Brett Butler at the 1994 Emmy Awards | |
| Born | Brett Anderson January 30, 1958 |
| Occupation | Actress/Comedian |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse(s) | Charles Michael Wilson (1978–1981) Ken Zieger (1987–1999) |
| Website | RealBrettButler.com |
Brett Butler (born January 30, 1958) is an American actress, writer, and stand-up comedian, best known for playing the title role in the comedy series Grace Under Fire.[1][2]
Early life
Butler was born Brett Anderson in Montgomery, Alabama, the eldest of five sisters. Before experiencing success as a stand-up comic, she worked as a cocktail waitress.[2][3]
Career
One of the first notable appearances for Butler was on Dolly Parton's ill-fated 1987 variety series, Dolly. Parton subsequently hired Butler as a writer for the remainder of the show's season, before it was canceled.
She was the star of the ABC television show Grace Under Fire from 1993 to 1998. In February 1998, due to her erratic behavior stemming from substance abuse, she was dismissed from the show.[4][5] During the show, she battled a recurring drug addiction and spent time in rehab. After Grace was cancelled in 1998, Butler moved out of L.A. and onto a farm in Georgia where she lived with 15 pets. When the money ran out, she turned to a homeless shelter for cover. A 2011 Hollywood Reporter article said that Butler was attempting to make a career comeback, and is working on "developing a reality TV show about her self-professed psychic abilities and performing at the Downtown Comedy Club in Los Angeles."[6]
Butler published her memoirs, entitled Knee Deep in Paradise, in 1996. The book was started before attaining her celebrity status, and candidly addresses much of this time frame, ending the autobiography before Grace Under Fire's television debut. [citation needed]
In 2008, Butler headlined at an arts fundraiser and spoke freely with a reporter about her depression, past drug addiction, television work and current life on a farm. She also expressed interest in writing another book.[7]
In October 2011, Butler appeared on The Rosie Show and reported being sober since 1998.[8]
Beginning in June 2012, Butler appeared in a recurring role on the CBS soap The Young and the Restless playing ex-psychiatrist Tim Reed's girlfriend.
Butler also has a recurring role as the bartender at the restaurant that Charlie Goodson frequents in the FX show Anger Management starring Charlie Sheen.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Child Ain't Right | Herself | Showtime Stand-Up Comedy special |
| 2000 | Bruno | Sister Della Rosa | |
| 2000 | Militia | Bobbi | |
| 2005 | Mrs. Harris | Tarnowner Ex #1 | Television film |
| 2005 | Vampire Bats | Shelly Beaudraux | Television film |
| 2006 | Moochers | Host | Television film |
| 2014 | Beach Cougar Gigolo | Melinda Maxwell | Pre-production |
| 2014 | Anchor Baby | Ruth Chu | Pre-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Dolly | Rhonda | Episode: "1.15" |
| 1993–1998 | Grace Under Fire | Grace Kelly | 112 episodes People's Choice Award for Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Series Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (1995, 1997) Nominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actress in a Quality Comedy Series (1994, 1996–97) |
| 1995 | Women of the House | Brett Butler | Episode: "Women in Film" |
| 1995 | The Larry Sanders Show | Brett Butler | Episode: "I Was a Teenage Lesbian" |
| 1997 | The Drew Carey Show | Grace Kelly | Episode: "Drew Gets Married" |
| 1997 | Ellen | Grace Kelly | Episode: "Secrets & Ellen" |
| 1997 | Coach | Grace Kelly | Episode: "Viva Las Ratings" |
| 2005 | My Name Is Earl | Connie Darville | Episode: "White Lie Christmas" |
| 2012 | Archer | Trish | Episode: "Space Race - Part 2" |
| 2012 | The Young and the Restless | Beth Hortense | 9 episodes |
| 2012–2014 | Anger Management | Brett | 38 episodes |
| 2015 | The Leftovers | Sandy | Episode: "No Room at the Inn" |
References
- ^ Baldwin, Kristen (1996-11-22). "Butler Did It". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ a b Schwarzbaum, Lisa (1994-10-07). "Brett Butler: More Power To Her". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Schwarzbaum, Lisa (1994-12-30). "Entertainer 11: Brett Butler". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ Miller, D. Patrick (2003). "Fame, Fire and Surrender". www.fearlessbooks.com. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
- ^ Lanzendorfer, Joy (2004-08-18). "Funny Lady". North Bay Bohemian. Retrieved 2010-04-13.
- ^ "9 Famous People Who Became Homeless".
- ^ "Spitfire: Comic Brett Butler set to take the stage in Santa Fe" Santafe.com October 23, 2008
- ^ O'Donnell, Rosie (host) (2011-10-26). "Brett Butler and Frank DeCaro". The Rosie Show. Season 1. Episode 13. OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.
External links
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
