Bebe Neuwirth, best known for playing Dr. Lilith Sternin on *Cheers* and *Frasier*, had an unexpected journey to acting. Born Beatrice Jane Neuwirth on December 31, 1958, in New Jersey, Bebe grew up in a talented family but rebelled against the academic path set by her mathematician father. Despite her passion for ballet, her dreams were dashed at 13 when she lacked the physical build for it. However, discovering Broadway rekindled her love for dance, leading her to study at Juilliard, though she eventually dropped out to pursue a Broadway career.
Bebe’s Broadway success paved the way for her iconic role on *Cheers*. Originally intended as a one-off, her character, Lilith, became a recurring role due to her chemistry with Kelsey Grammer. This success led to her reprising the role on *Frasier*, though she preferred Broadway. Despite her fame, Bebe is known for her privacy, keeping her personal life, including her marriage to director Chris Calkins, out of the spotlight.
Throughout her career, Bebe has balanced stage and screen, winning multiple awards, including Tonys for her performances in *Sweet Charity* and *Chicago*. Offstage, she’s deeply involved in charity work, particularly in supporting professional dancers through the Dancers’ Resource program at the Actors Fund, which she founded after undergoing two hip replacements.