Judith Light
Judith Light has captivated audiences worldwide since her portrayal of Angela Bower on the ABC-TV hit comedy series "Who's the Boss?" Fans are accustomed to her amazing talent that allows her to appear virtually unrecognizable in each of an incredible diversity of roles.
Judith’s television career began with her two-time Best Actress Emmy award- winning turn as Karen Wolek on “One Life to Live”. She can currently be seen on the award-winning ABC hit “Ugly Betty” in the role of Claire Meade, and on NBC’s long-running drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” in the recurring role of Supreme Court Judge Elizabeth Donnelly.
In 2005, Judith returned to her performing roots in theatre, opening at The MCC Theatre in New York in the production of Laura Wade’s “Colder Than Here.” Judith showcased her musical abilities in 2004 in the role of Joanne in Steven Sondheim’s “Company” at the Freud Theatre in LA as part of Reprise! Judith also appeared in Athol Fugard’s “Sorrows and Rejoicings” in 2002 at the Second Stage Theatre in New York and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. In 2001, Judith opened in Washington, DC at The Shakespeare Theater portraying the title character in the Henrik Ibsen classic “Hedda Gabler”.
In 1999 she also took to the stage at the Union Square Theater, starring as the brilliant and uncompromising “Dr. Vivian Bearing” in the critically acclaimed and Pulitzer Prize winning Off-Broadway play WIT.
Originally directed by Derek Anson Jones, “WIT” is a heartbreaking and at times very funny play about how ‘Dr. Bearing’ copes with ovarian cancer, and how it transforms her and her views of life. A university professor who has always treasured her independence and lack of personal connections, ‘Dr. Bearing’ is forced to change her stance when she undergoes radical chemotherapy.
Judith performed in New York until January 2000 and then toured with WIT nationwide, in such cities as Boston, Washington (at the Kennedy Center), and San Francisco. For her outstanding performance Judith received the Helen Hayes Award in Washington, DC, as well as the Elliot Norton Award in Boston.
As accomplished as Judith's career is as an actress, her work within the LGBT community with AIDS projects and other human rights organizations and efforts reflects a lifetime of service.
Her work human rights work includes:
Aid For AIDS / The Actor’s Fund of America
· Honorary Co-Chairperson “Tony Awards” Dinner honoring Gwen Verdon
AIDS Awareness Youth Conference (AIDS education program)
· Keynote Speaker - Orlando, Florida (1996)
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
· Keynote Speaker - Benefit dinner (1993)
AIDS Nutrition Service Alliance
· Keynote Speaker - 8th Annual AIDS Nutrition Services Alliance (ANSA), (2001)
AFRICA AIDS TREK
· Fund Raiser and Participant - 100 Mile Trek (2002)
AIDS Grove Monument Committee (AIDS memorial organization)
· AIDS Grove Memorial Design Co-Chair with Barbara Streisand (2005)
· Keynote Speaker / Worlds AIDS day (2004)
· Member of Advisory Board (1996 to present)
AIDS Project Los Angeles (AIDS support organization)
· Support - “Philadelphia” premiere benefit (1993)
· Participation in KTWV "The Wave" March Against Aids Radiothon (1993)
· Participation in KTWV "The Wave" March Against Aids Radiothon (1992)
· Committee member - “Silence of the Lambs” premiere benefit (1991)
AIDS Project Worcester (AIDS support organization)
· Keynote Speaker – Worcester AIDS Day (1995)
American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFar)
· Co-chair - For ATP Gala Awards Dinner (1993)
· Participation - Elizabeth Taylor and Wolfgang Puck's “Passport '93”, Los Angeles (1993)
Beth Chayim Chadashim 30th Anniversary
· Special Guest and Master of Ceremonies - December 15, 2002
Broadway Cares; Equity Fights AIDS (AIDS Support Organization)
· Appearance, at Shubert Alley fundraiser, New York (1999) California AIDS Ride
· Speaker - Closing Ceremonies in Los Angeles (1995, 1996, 1997)
· Participant - Completed the entire 560-mile, seven-day ride (1995)
· Appearance - Public Service Announcements (1994, 1995, 1997)
Christopher Street West (Gay and Lesbian Pride Organization)
· Grand Marshal - Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade (1995)
Destination Foundation (Art Benefit for AIDS & Cancer Patients)
· Artist - Tails of the City SF (2001)
The Diginity/Washington 30th Anniversary Celebration
· Keynote Speaker - September 14, 2002
Empire State Pride Agenda, New York
· Master of Ceremonies, October 9, 2003
Family AIDS Network, Inc.
· Host - Tribute to Mary Fisher (1999)
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
· Presenter - Introducing Neil Giuliano - 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, LA (2007)
· Presenter - Journalism Award, NYC (2001)
· Host - GLAAD Media Awards 10th Anniversary, Los Angeles (1999)
· Host - GLAAD Media Awards, Los Angeles (1993)
· Host - GLAAD Media Awards, Los Angeles (1992)
· Presenter - First Stephen Kolzak Award to Paul Monette, Los Angeles (1991)
Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Democratic National Committee
· Honorary Co-Chair - July 20, 2001
Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund
· Sponsor/Host - Tea honoring Sir Ian McKellen, Los Angeles (1999)
Gay Games
· Speaker - Opening ceremonies, New York, NY (1994)
· Judge, at “Gypsy of the Year” event, New York (1999)
California AIDS Ride
· Speaker - Closing Ceremonies in Los Angeles (1995, 1996, 1997)
· Participant - Completed the entire 560-mile, seven-day ride (1995)
· Appearance - Public Service Announcements (1994, 1995, 1997)
Christopher Street West (Gay and Lesbian Pride Organization)
· Grand Marshal - Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade (1995)
Destination Foundation (Art Benefit for AIDS & Cancer Patients)
· Artist - Tails of the City SF (2001)
The Diginity/Washington 30th Anniversary Celebration
· Keynote Speaker - September 14, 2002
Empire State Pride Agenda, New York
· Master of Ceremonies, October 9, 2003
Family AIDS Network, Inc.
· Host - Tribute to Mary Fisher (1999)
Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
· Presenter - Introducing Neil Giuliano - 18th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, LA (2007)
· Presenter - Journalism Award, NYC (2001)
· Host - GLAAD Media Awards 10th Anniversary, Los Angeles (1999)
· Host - GLAAD Media Awards, Los Angeles (1993)
· Host - GLAAD Media Awards, Los Angeles (1992)
· Presenter - First Stephen Kolzak Award to Paul Monette, Los Angeles (1991)
Gay and Lesbian Leadership Council Democratic National Committee
· Honorary Co-Chair - July 20, 2001
Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund
· Sponsor/Host - Tea honoring Sir Ian McKellen, Los Angeles (1999)
Gay Games
· Speaker - Opening ceremonies, New York, NY (1994)
Heart Strings (AIDS education and awareness program)
· National Spokesperson (1992)
· Los Angeles appearance (taped for ABC-TV, 1992)
· Narrator - Los Angeles Tour (with Christopher Reeve) (1990)
Hedrick Martin School Benefit/span>
· Annual Benefit Dinner
· Presented Chastity Bono w/ (Award) (1999)
Hollywood, Heath & Society/span>
· Committee Member (current board member)
Hollywood Supports
(promotes fairness in the workplace for people with AIDS and for the LGBT community)
· Appeared in a film to increase AIDS awareness in the workplace (1992)
Honoring Americore
· Caring Counts Awards - Hosted Volunteers (2002)
Houston Black Tie Dinner, Inc./span>
(supports 12 Houston-area AIDS organizations and one National Organization)
· Keynote Speaker - Houston (1998)
Human Rights Campaign
· Keynote Speaker - North Carolina Regional Dinner February 2004
· Speaker, and presenter of Community Leadership Award - Los Angeles (1988)
· Award Presenter - Human Rights Campaign/Community Service Award to A.N.G.L.E. (2001)
· Keynote Speaker - Regional Dinner, Columbus, OH (1999)
· Opening Speaker (with President Bill Clinton and Ellen DeGeneres) -
National Dinner, Washington, D.C. (1997)
· Keynote Speaker - Denver Convention (1997)
· Keynote Speaker - Chicago Convention (1996)
· Speaker (introduced Senator Kennedy) - HRC Reception at Democratic
National Convention, Chicago (1996)
· Keynote Speaker - HRC Political Convention at Democratic National Convention, Chicago (1996)
· Keynote Speaker - Annual Benefit Dinner, Washington, D.C. (1996)
· Award Presenter - Human Rights Campaign/Gay and Lesbian Task Force Benefit Dinner (1996
Jewish Image Awards
· Presenter - Dramatic Series JAG, Dana Cohen author September 21, 2003
KOL AMI “Shomer Tzedek” Award
· Award Presenter - Steve Tyler May 17, 2003
LAMDA Literary Foundation 2002 Bridgebuilder Award
· Award Presenter - Betty De Generes May 29, 2003
Liberty Hill Foundation
· Speaker - Upton Sinclair Dinner June 2, 2003
· Judge - Halloween Costume Party October 25, 2003
Los Angeles Wellness Community Benefit
· Speaker (introduced Dr Scott Hitt) March 26, 2003
Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust
· Special Guest Speaker - May 18, 2003 (Opening Celebration)
Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center
· Resigned from Board of Directors (2002)
· Speaker (introduced Mayor Dick Reiordon) - Annual Center Dinner (1995)
· Member - Board of Directors (1995 - present)
· Member - Council of Governors (1993 - present)
· Host - Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies for opening of the new Center facilities (1992)
March on Washington for Gay Rights (1993)
· Main Stage Speaker
· Host - “An Evening With:” Gay and Lesbian Bands of America
· Host - Human Rights Campaign Fund Dinner
NAMES Project (AIDS support and memorial organization)
· Keynote Speaker - For Cleve Jones-Aids Memorial Quilt display, Washington DC 20th
Anniversary (June, 3 2001)
· Keynote Speaker - AIDS Memorial Quilt display, Universal Studios, Florida (World AIDS Day 1996)
· Host Committee - National Candlelight March and AIDS Memorial Quilt Display, Washington
D.C. (1996)
· Chair, Host Committee - Rose Bowl AIDS Memorial Quilt display, Pasadena, CA (1995)
· AIDS Memorial Quilt display, Washington, DC (1993)
· Co-Host and M. C. - "People Do Care" AIDS Memorial Quilt display, Pacific Design Center, Los
Angeles (1993)
· Host - Friends of the Quilt Dinner, Washington, DC (1992)
· AIDS Memorial Quilt display and Candlelight March, Washington, DC (1992)
· AIDS Memorial Quilt display, Los Angeles (1992)
· Keynote Speaker - Chapter Conference, San Francisco (1992)
· AIDS Memorial Quilt display, Los Angeles (1991)
· Press conference announcing the AIDS Memorial Quilt's first display , Los Angeles (1989)
National AIDS Fund
· Honorary Board Member 2001
National AIDS Memorial Grove
· Speaker and Award Presenter at World AIDS Day Event – San Francisco (1998)
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
· Speaker and Presented Oregon Senator, Ron Wyden, - Benefit dinner, Los Angeles
(1995)
National Mental Health Awareness
· Hosted Reception Shakespeare Theater Washington DC (2001)
National Skills Building Conference
(training and support for AIDS workers and volunteers)
· National Conference Keynote speaker, Los Angeles (1996)
Northern Lights Alternative (AIDS support organization)
· Co-host - T-shirt auction (1992)
· Honorary Chairperson - Aids Mastery (1992)
· Advisory Board Member (1991 – 1995)
Online Partners
· Advisory Board Member (2000-Present)
Project Angel Food (AIDS support organization)
· Press Release explaining the Agency’s Role (2004)
· Introduction to Opening Video - Angel Awards (2002)
· Presenter - Angel Award (1998 and 1999)
· Performer - “Love Letters” benefit (1995)
· Co-Host - Angel Art Auction (1992)
· Co-Spokesperson at press conferences for fundraising events, including “Angel Art” (1991) and “Divine Design” (1992)
· Advisory Board Member (1989 - present)
Q. Spirit (Gay Spirituality)
· Appearance - Annual Benefit, San Francisco (2000)
· Appearance - Annual Benefit, New York (1999)
Ric Weiss Humanitarian Award
· Presented Award to Mary Hart May 3, 2003
Ryan White Foundation, Indianapolis (AIDS Education and Prevention)
· Advisory Board Member (1990 - present)
Santa Monica College
· Keynote Speaker - AIDS Awareness Week (1995)
SHANTI (AIDS support organization)
· Host Committee - “ Priscilla Queen of the Desert” benefit premiere (1994)
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, Tucson
· Keynote Speaker - AIDSWALK ’98 (1998)
Stonewall 25
· Rally Speaker and March Participant - NY, NY (1994)
STOP AIDS Project
· Honorary Chair - Fifth Annual Benefit - SF (Sept.18, 2000)
Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network, Tucson
Spiritual Address - AIDSWALK ’98 Interfaith Worship Service (1998)
The Interfaith Alliance Foundation
· Host Committee - Walter Cronkite Faith and Freedom Award (2001)
UN Global Peace Project
· UN World Aids Day (2005)
· Presenter at the “International year of Microcredit Awards”(2005)
· Committee Member (Current Member)
Whitman - Walker Clinic
· Honorary Host Committee - United Airlines Golf Tournament (1997)
· Honorary Committee - “Chicago, the Musical” benefit (1997)
· Celebrity Committee Chair - National AIDS Candlelight March (1996)
· Keynote Speaker - Annual Meeting (1996)
Zen Hospice
· Appearance - Fundraiser, San Francisco (2000)
Gay Press
· Cover Story, Next Magazine, New York, (September, 1999)
· Cover Story, Lesbian News Los Angeles (January, 1999)
· Interview, Metro Weekly Washington, D.C. (April 1998)
· Interview, Blade Orange Co., CA (January, 1998)
· Interview, ICON, Toronto, Ont. (August, 1997)
· Cover Story, The Advocate National (July, 1996)
· Interview, Frontiers Los Angeles (June 16, 1995)
· Interview, Out Front Los Angeles (April 5, 1995)
· Interview, POZ Magazine National (December, 1994)
· Interview, Gay & Lesbian Times (November 17, 1994)
· Profiled, Lesbian News Los Angeles (August, 1994)
· Interview, Washington, DC Blade (1993)
· Contributed to GLAAD/LA press release concerning military’s ban on Gays (April 20, 1993)
· Interview, Frontiers Los Angeles (December 6, 1991)
· Numerous press interviews during appearances at benefits quilt displays, etc.
Radio Interviews
· “One in Ten” (1996)
· “HIV Talk Radio” (1994)
Television / Video
· Public Service Announcement for AIDS 2006 Television Campaign - directed by Liev Schreiber
· Narrator, “It’s Time To Stop AIDS” video produced by Levi-Strauss / UN AIDS Program / World
· Health Organization / Family Health International / Kaiser Family Foundation (1998)
· Interviewed on CA State Assembly Member Sheila Kuehl’s Nationally syndicated cable show
“Get Used To It” (1997)
· Profiled for EXTRA! “Cause Celeb” touring Gay and Lesbian Social Services Center (1996)
· Interviewed and profiled in the documentary “100 to Infinity” (1996)
· Interview for “Brink of Summer’s End” (documentary about Paul Monette) (1996)
· Appeared in ABC prime time special “In A New Light” (1993)
· Appeared in ABC prime time special "In A New Light" (1992)
· Appearance in AIDS Healthcare Foundation Telethon (1992)
· Public Service Announcement for Los Angeles Gay Pride Parade and Festival (1992)
· Interview in film "Coming Out" - produced by Out Loud Productions
· Interview with Network Q (1994)
· Commercial for Project Angel Food
· Interview for "In the Life"
· Numerous on-camera interviews for benefits, AIDS Memorial Quilt displays, etc.
Contributions to Published Works
· Foreword to Dancing With 2 Dogs and Mozart a book of poems about AIDS by Michael Freiberg (1996)
· Contributed message and photograph for Portraits of Life: With Love benefiting The Hands-On Care Foundation (1994)
· Photographed in home for Michael McCreary's book HAVENS benefiting the Pediatric AIDS unit of City of Hope
· Hospital and Los Angeles Shanti (1993)
· Contributed to Feast for Life Pediatric Aids Foundation’s Cook Book (1993)
· Contributed to Some Things You Can Do About Aids, by Neal Hitchens
· Contributed to an article on Rob Eichberg for the book of profiles of Gay and Lesbian leaders, Uncommon Heroes
Special Events
· Presenter - 11th Annual Prism Awards April 24th, 2007
· Host - Global Green 10th Anniversary Dinner April 1st, 2006
· Point Foundation Gay Ski Week, 2005
· Member, Artist for the U.N. February, 2004
· OUTFESTive - Award presentation to Bruce Vilanch December, 2002
· M/C for Beth Chayim Chadashim Gay & Lesbian Jewish Center December, 2002
· Special Luncheon to Honor Judith – National Association of Women Justices (2002) Hosted by
Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sandra Day O’Connor
· Host - Fundraiser for openly lesbian US Congressional Candidate, Grethe Cammermyer (1998)
· Ambassador Committee member Macy’s and American Express’ Passport ’97 (benefiting the
Elizabeth Taylor Foundation, Magic Johnson Foundation, Project Angel Food, Tuesday’s Child,
Bienstar, The Sierra Project and UCLA AIDS Institute) (1997)
· Host Committee - A.N.G.L.E. & The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund: Election (1996)
· Honorary Co-Chair -1996 Lambda Liberty Awards - Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
(1996)
· Speaker - Memorial Service: Paul Monette (1995)
· Co-Host (with Barry Diller, David Geffen, Jeffrey Kattzenberg, Barbara Streisand, Elizabeth
Taylor and Steve Tish) – Benefit at Lynn & Norman Lear’s residence (November 5, 1994)
· Speaker - Memorial Service: Roberto Tyson (1994)
· Co-Chair - Benefit for LA Center For Living (December, 1993)
· Honorary Co-Chair - League for Individual Freedom & Equality (LIFE) Benefit (July 31, 1993)
· Appearance - "Celebration of Life" Aid for AIDS, (January, 1992)
· Co-Host, (with Michael Childers, Ted Danson and John Schlesinger) - Book Launching of Sally
Fisher’s Life Mastery
· Speaker - Memorial Service: Stephen Kolzak
· Honorary Committee - Planet Hollywood, New York "Kiss AIDS Goodbye"
· Benefit Reading - “The Laramie Project” - Fundraising Event for The
Matthew Shepard Foundation (2006)
Awards
· “Prism Award” - 11th Annual Prism Award (2007)
· “Red Ribbon of Hope Award” - Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (2006)
· “Making a Difference Award”(with husband, Robert Desiderio) The Matthew Shepard Foundation (2006)
· “Red Ribbon Leadership Award” (NHAP) World Aids Day December 1st (2005)
· “Awareness in the Arts Award” (ICRF) Israel Cancer Research Fund (2005)
· “Rick Weiss Humanitarian Award” (2002)
· “Caped Crusader Award” (2001) - CAPE (California Alliance for Pride & Equality)
· “Project Inform Education Award” - Project Inform (2000)
· “Vision Award” - Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (1998)
· “Lambda Liberty Award” - Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund (1997)
· “National Leadership Award” - Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Business Responds to AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS (1997)
· “Caring Heart Award” - Laguna Shanti (1997)
· “Equality Award” - Human Rights Campaign (1996)
· “Hope Award” - AIDS National Interfaith Network, National Association of People With AIDS, National Minority AIDS Council (1996)
· “George Moscone Award” (with husband, Robert Desiderio) - Christopher Street West (1996)
· “AIDS Volunteer of the Year” Award - Whitman Walker Clinic (1996)
· “Angel Award” (with husband, Robert Desiderio) - Project Angel Food (1995)
· "Friends of The Quilt" Award -- The Names Project (1994)
· “Rand Schrader Distinguished Achievement Award” - Gay and Lesbian Community Social Services Center (1994)
· World AIDS Day “Humanitarian Award” - Santa Monica City College Associated Students (1994)
· "Angel Award" - The Ryan White Foundation (1990)
Special Honors
The Judith Light Library at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center was
inaugurated November 21, 1998
Board of Director & Advisory Board Affiliations
· Aspen Theatre Honorary Trustee (since 2006)
· Rome Chamber Music Festival Board Member (since 2005)
· The National AIDS Grove Monument Committee (since 2004)
· The Point Foundation Board Member (since 2004)
· The Trevor Project Advisorary Board Member (since 2004)
· Hollywood Health and Society Board Member (since 2004)
· Foothill Aids Project Advisory Board (since 2001)
· Anita May Rosenstein Foundation Advisory Board (March 1999 to present)
· AIDS Monument Committee Advisory Board (since 1996)
· Bold New World Advisory Board (present)
· Gay.Com Member, Board of Directors (present)
· Last Acts - with Rosalyn Carter, Honorary Board Member (2000 - present)
· Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center Board of Directors (since 1995), Council of Governors (1993-2002)
· National Center For Disease Control and Prevention’s Business Responds To AIDS/Labor Responds to AIDS Board of Directors (since 1997)
· Project Angel Food Advisory Board (since 1989)
· Ryan White Foundation Advisory Board (since 1990)
· Faith In America Board of Directors (since 2006)




