Robin Bartlett (born April 22, 1951) is an American film, stage, and television actress. A native of New York City, Bartlett began her career in theater after graduating from Boston University, appearing in a production of Richard III (1973). In 1975, she had a supporting role and was the understudy of the title character in Yentl on Broadway.
She made her feature film debut in Michael Cimino's epic Western Heaven's Gate (1980), and had supporting roles in numerous films over the following two decades, including Sophie's Choice (1982), Moonstruck (1987), Postcards from the Edge (1990), If Looks Could Kill (1991), Dangerous Minds (1995), and City of Angels (1998).
In television, she is known for her recurring roles in two NBC sitcoms: The Powers That Be and Mad About You. She also had recurring guest roles on the series Judging Amy (2000–2004) and Dragnet (2003–2004). In 2013, Bartlett appeared in two seasons of American Horror Story: Asylum and Coven. Bartlett's later film roles include supporting parts in the thriller Shutter Island (2010), the drama Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), as well as The Fabelmans (2022) and the independent horror film Shelby Oaks (2024).
Early life Bartlett was born April 22, 1951 in New York City and raised in Manhattan. Both of her parents were psychologists. Bartlett began acting as a child, first appearing in a stage production of The Servant of Two Masters at the World's fair in Queens.
She attended the High School of Performing Arts before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University in 1973. After college, Bartlett worked as a secretary while pursuing acting roles.
Career In 1973, with the Theatre Company of Boston, Bartlett appeared opposite Al Pacino and Lance Henriksen in a stage production of Richard III. She also performed with the Williamstown Theater Festival in Williamstown, Massachusetts. In 1975, Bartlett appeared on Broadway in Yentl, also serving as an understudy for the title role.
Bartlett made her feature film debut in the western Heaven's Gate (1980), and later had supporting roles in Sophie's Choice (1982), Baby Boom, and Moonstruck (both 1987). On stage, Bartlett starred in a 1986 Circle Repertory Theatre production of The Early Girl opposite Demi Moore, for which she earned Obie Award and Drama Desk Award nominations for her performance.
She also had minor roles in Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) and Alice (1990), and in Mike Nichols's Postcards from the Edge (1990) and Regarding Henry (1991). For her performance in the 1991 action comedy If Looks Could Kill, Bartlett was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She appeared in the short-lived series The Powers That Be. She played the sister of a filmmaker in Mad About You and a television producer in Sisters. She played a teacher in two films, Lean on Me and If Looks Could Kill. In addition, she played the dean of a private school in an episode ("The Ida Funkhouser Roadside Memorial") of the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm.
In June 2010, it was announced Barlett would play Hannah Pitt in Signature Theatre Company's 20th-anniversary production of Tony Kushner's Angels in America. She played Bridget Kearns in Shutter Island in 2010.
In 2013, she portrayed Miranda Crump in American Horror Storys second season, Asylum, and later that year returned for the third season, Coven, portraying Cecily Pembroke.
She starred in the 2014 film H., for which she was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female in 2016.
In 2024, Bartlett starred in the independent supernatural horror film Shelby Oaks.
Influences Bartlett cited Michael Moriarty and Marlon Brando as influences on her acting. She also named Geraldine Page her favorite actress of all time, commenting: "I admired most her fluidity and incredible ability to respond to anything in a millisecond. And when she was subtle, she was very subtle."
Personal life Bartlett was married to actor Alan Rosenberg from 1976 until 1984. The couple met while performing together at the Williamstown Theater Festival in the 1970s. In 1990, she married fiction writer Terence Cannon, with whom she has one son, Eamon, born in 1987. Beginning in 1984, Bartlett and Cannon resided in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Filmography Film +Key Denotes works that have not yet been released Year Title Role Notes 1980 Heaven's Gate Mrs. Lezak 1980 Playing for Time Etalina Television film 1981 Skokie JDL Girl Television film 1982 Sophie's Choice Lillian Grossman 1987 Baby Boom Yuppie Wife 1987 Moonstruck Barbara 1989 Lean on Me Mrs. Elliot 1989 See You in the Morning Group Therapy Patient 1989 Crimes and Misdemeanors Wedding Guest 1990 Postcards from the Edge Aretha 1990 Alice Nina 1991 If Looks Could Kill Patricia Grober 1991 Regarding Henry Phyllis 1991 Deceived Charlotte 1993 12:01 Anne Jackson Television film 1995 Dangerous Minds Mrs. Carla Nichols 1997 Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves Patti Szalinski 1998 City of Angels Anne 2005 Bella 2010 Shutter Island Bridget Kearns 2013 Inside Llewyn Davis Lillian Gorfein 2014 H. Helen 2015 Chronic Martha 2017 Erma 2018 Josie Martha 2019 Immortal Mary 2021 Helen 2021 Land of Dreams Jackie 2022 Tina Schildkraut 2023 Earline 2024 Shelby Oaks Norma Miles
Television Year Title Role Notes 1979 Shirley Sarah Episode: "A Play on Words" 1981 Ryan's Hope Judy Prince Episode: "#1.1619" 1988 Spenser: For Hire Mrs. Drake Episode: "To the End of the Line" 1989 Miami Vice Rhoda King Episode: "The Cell Within" 1992 Coach Sarah Episode: "If That's Opportunity, Don't Answer" 1992–1993 The Powers That Be Sophie Lipkin 20 episodes 1993 Fallen Angels Jean Medill Episode: "Murder, Obliquely" 1993 It Had to Be You Eve Parkin 6 episodes 1994–1999 Mad About You Debbie Buchman 29 episodes 2000–2004 Judging Amy Atty. Roberta Orr 3 episodes 2000 Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane Professor Norris Episode: "I Don't Feel So Good" 2000 Touched by an Angel Toni Episode: "Quality Time" 2000 Bull Rose Wright Episode: "To Have and to Hold" 2001 Danny Unknown Episode: "Forget About Your Boss" 2002 Susan Thomas Episode: "The Red Mass" 2003 Nili Demsky Episode: "Unholy Alliances" 2003–2004 Dragnet Donna Bostick 6 episodes 2004 Medical Investigation Dr. Salgado Episode: "Team" 2004 NYPD Blue Evelyn Winker Episode: "I Love My Wives, But Oh You Kid" 2005 American Dad! Clara Episode: "Stan Knows Best" (voice) 2005 Leah Rainey Episode: "Flashpoint" 2005 Nip/Tuck Meredith Forsythe Episode: "KiKi" 2006 Justice Regina Stack Episode: "Death Spiral" 2007 Mrs. Braunstein Episode: "The Work Dinner" 2007 Curb Your Enthusiasm Dean Episode: "The Ida Funkhouser Roadside Memorial" 2010 CSI: Miami Stephanie Hollister Episode: "Backfire" 2013 American Horror Story: Asylum Miranda Crump Episode: "Continuum" 2013 American Horror Story: Coven 3 episodes 2014 Comedy Bang! Bang! Hot Dog Lady Episode: "Nick Offerman Wears a Green Flannel Shirt & Brown Boots" 2015 Battle Creek Judge Warren Episode: "The Hand-Off" 2015 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Miss Miriam Episode: "The Mattress" 2016 Vice Principals Mrs. Leblanc Episode: "The Foundation of Learning" 2021 The Shrink Next Door Cathy Miniseries; 5 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Location 1973 Richard III Duke of York Theatre Company of Boston 1975 Yentl Avram / Raizeleh Eugene O'Neill Theatre 1977 Two for the Seesaw Gittel Mosca Asolo Repertory Theatre 1978 Fathers and Sons The Public Theater 1981–1982 No End of Blame Stella / Dr. Glasson Manhattan Theatre Club 1982 2nd Angel / The Angel Rochele Rialto Theatre 1983 Araminta Manhattan Theatre Club 1983 Masha The American Place Theatre 1984 Found a Peanut Melody The Public Theater 1984 Mrs. Hassett / Becky The Public Theater 1985 Life and Limb Doina Playwrights Horizons 1986 Jean Circle Repertory Theatre 1986 Cheapside Mary Frith Roundabout Theatre 1988 Reckless Rachel Circle Repertory Theatre 1986 Cheapside Mary Frith Roundabout Theatre 1999 Jolly Jolly Geffen Playhouse 2001–2002 Everett Beekin Sophie / Celia Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater 2005 Singing Forest Loe Rieman Long Wharf Theatre 2007 Prelude to a Kiss Mrs. Boyle American Airlines Theatre 2010 Angels in America Hannah Pitt Signature Theatre Company 2019 Linda Actors Theatre of Louisville
Accolades Award/association Year Category Nominated work Result Drama Desk Awards 1987 Outstanding Actress in a Play 1989 Reckless Independent Spirit Awards 2016 Best Supporting Female H. Obie Awards 1987 Distinguished Performance by an Actress Outer Critics Circle Awards 2007 Outstanding Actress in a Play Prelude to a Kiss Saturn Awards 1992 Best Supporting Actress If Looks Could Kill Screen Actors Guild Awards 1998 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Mad About You
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