Who Is Judith Light? Age, Biography and Wiki
Judith Light was born on February 9, 1949, which makes her 76 years old as of 2025. She is an accomplished American actress best known for her roles in television, theater, and film. Light gained fame in the late 1970s with her breakout role in the soap opera "One Life to Live." Her performance earned her two Daytime Emmy Awards. Over the years, she has starred in noteworthy productions, including the hit series "Who's the Boss?" and more recently, the critically acclaimed "Transparent," which showcased her talent and versatility.
| Occupation | Soap Opera Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 9, 1949 |
| Age | 76 Years |
| Birth Place | Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Jersey |
Popularity
Judith Light's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Judith Light is known for her elegant presence. She stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm). While her weight has fluctuated throughout her career, she maintains a healthy physique, weighing approximately 130 pounds (59 kg). Judith’s body measurements are generally reported to be around 34-26-36 inches, reflecting her dedication to wellness and fitness.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her life, Judith Light has been quite private about her personal relationships. However, she is currently in a committed relationship with her long-time partner, Robert D. C. H. (Bob) O’Connor, an accomplished businessman. The couple has been together since the early 2000s and enjoys a deep companionship marked by mutual respect and admiration. Judith does not have children but remains close to her family, often expressing her love for her supportive relatives.
Light made her Broadway debut in A Doll's House in 1975. She also starred in the 1976 Broadway play Herzl. Light also acted for such theatre companies as the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and the Seattle Repertory Theatre. In the late 1970s, Light went through a real crisis after a period of not landing any parts.
Broke, she almost quit acting, because she felt that she was not contributing to the theater. In 1977, her agent phoned Light to have her audition for an understudy role in the ABC soap opera One Life to Live. Not wanting to be attached to a soap opera or a sitcom she initially rejected the idea, until she was told her daily salary would be $350.
At the audition she realized that "the format reaches a lot of people". She could "make a difference" and "make money" at the same time. Instead of landing an understudy role, she was recast in the role of Karen Wolek, a role that had previously been portrayed by actresses Kathryn Breech and Julia Duffy.
This role was quite lucrative for Light and spawned one of the show's most-remembered storylines; Light's character became an alcoholic prostitute after she became bored with her life as a housewife.
On trial, Karen saved her friend Viki Lord Riley (Erika Slezak) from being convicted of killing Karen's pimp, Marco Dane (Gerald Anthony) by admitting to the entire town, including her faithful husband, Dr Larry Wolek (Michael Storm), that she had been a prostitute.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Judith Light's net worth is estimated to be around $8 million. This impressive figure is a testament to her successful career in acting, coupled with endorsements and various business ventures. Judith’s earnings have been bolstered by her active involvement in theater productions, television series, and films, as well as her appearances in commercials and other promotional activities.
Career, Business and Investments
Judith Light's career spans several decades and showcases her remarkable talent. After gaining early fame on "One Life to Live," she transitioned to primetime television with iconic roles on "Who's the Boss?" and later on "The Assassination of Gianni Versace." In addition to acting, Judith is a powerful advocate for various causes, including LGBTQ+ rights and human rights, which has helped her build a strong public persona.
In recent years, she has ventured into producing and has invested in philanthropic projects that support the arts. Judith remains active in the industry, taking on diverse roles that challenge her abilities and resonate with audiences.
The New York Times said in 1999 of Light's lead performance in the Broadway play Wit, "It is the sort of transformational work that would hint at other future successes, with Shakespeare, maybe, if a full-time career in the theater were truly an option these days. In any event, it gives rise to a wish. Ms.
Light, don't touch that dial again, at least not for a while." Nevertheless, it would be another decade before Light returned to a major theatrical role on Broadway.
From 2010 to 2011, Light appeared on Broadway as witty alcoholic Marie Lombardi in the play Lombardi, for which she received a nomination for the Tony Award, for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play.
Another role on Broadway followed, as Silda Grauman in Other Desert Cities from 2011 to 2012, which garnered Light her first Tony Award for Featured Actress in a Play and the 2012 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play.
Light also starred in two television pilots, ABC's sitcom Other People's Kids and USA Network's drama Eden, both in 2011 and neither of which were green-lit to continue.
Social Network
Judith Light maintains a vibrant presence on social media, where she connects with her fans and engages in discussions about her projects and advocacy work. You can follow her on platforms such as:
- Instagram - where she shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her life and career.
- Twitter - for updates and insights into her thoughts on important social issues.
- Facebook - to interact with her fan base and keep up-to-date on her latest endeavors.
Light starred as Angela Bower in the long-running ABC sitcom Who's the Boss? from 1984 to 1992.
Light played the recurring role of Elizabeth Donnelly in the NBC legal crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002–2010) and also played Claire Meade in the ABC comedy-drama Ugly Betty (2006–2010), for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 2007.
From 2013 to 2014, she played the role of villainous Judith Brown Ryland in the TNT drama series Dallas. In 2014, she began starring as Shelly Pfefferman in the critically acclaimed Amazon Studios dark comedy-drama series Transparent, for which she received several Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Critics' Choice Award nominations.
She again received Primetime Emmy and Critics' Choice Award nominations for playing Marilyn Miglin in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story in 2018. In 2019, she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Education
Judith Light graduated from Kean University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts. Her educational background laid the foundation for her thriving career in the performing arts. Judith has often spoken about the significance of education in her life and the role it played in shaping her artistic journey.
She is the daughter of Pearl Sue (née Hollander), a model, and Sidney Licht, an accountant. Light graduated from high school in 1966 at St. Mary's Hall–Doane Academy in Burlington, New Jersey. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in drama. She recalled graduating with a class of 15 actors who were there all four years.
She said "it was a really rigorous program and I thank God for it because it was an amazing training program." She made her professional debut on stage in Richard III at the California Shakespeare Festival in 1970.
