Biografie

She was a member of the very first class of the drama division at Juilliard. Other classmates included Kevin Kline (with whom she had an eight-year relationship in the 70s), David Ogden Stiers, and her future "Evita" co-star Mandy Patinkin.

The name "Patti" is not shortened from or derived from Patricia, but rather from Ms. LuPone's mother's maiden name, which was "Patti".

Awarded Tony for 'Evita'.

Graduated from Juilliard's drama division

Is the first American actress to win an Olivier award in England for her performances in "Les Misérables" and "The Cradle Will Rock" in 1985

The audiences that inspire me are the ones that are not asleep.

I knew before I knew anything else that my career was in Europe. I wanted a career there. I've always thought that was who I am and that what I look like belongs in Italy. I made a film there and I looked around and thought, 'God, I'm a beauty here. I mean, I'm really gorgeous here.'

For a long time, I don't think people thought I was capable of comedy. I mean, I'm Italian, so crying has always been easy for me - our emotions are just underneath the skin. But I've always had a black sense of humor, and I've always been able to find humor in any situation.

I'm totally Italian, and it's a big personality. But I'm not a diva. If you could see the way I'm dressed in daily life, that's not a diva. Appearances are so not important to me.

I'm fairly tough on anybody who isn't there for the play. I'm very tough on people who are in it for the wrong reason. I'm very tough on people who don't remember that there's an audience out there paying a lot of money. The bottom line is that I love the theater. I realized when I came back [after an absence in L.A.] and put my foot on the boards, this is where I belong.