---
name: "Christine Baranski"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/christine-baranski"
fi1m_id: "christine-baranski"
imdb_id: "nm0004724"
tmdb_id: 11870
wikidata_id: "Q229134"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "2 May 1952"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 11
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 11
updated: "2026-10-23T04:08:50.094087+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Christine Baranski

## Identity

Christine Baranski

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/christine-baranski
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** christine-baranski
- **IMDb ID:** nm0004724
- **TMDB ID:** 11870
- **Wikidata ID:** Q229134
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Baranski, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229134, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004724/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11870

Actor. Born 2 May 1952 in Buffalo, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 2 May 1952, Buffalo, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1986–present
- **Also known as:** Christine Jane Baranski
- **Frequently works with:** [Amanda Seyfried](https://film.one/person/amanda-seyfried.md), [Anna Kendrick](https://film.one/person/anna-kendrick.md), [Colin Firth](https://film.one/person/colin-firth.md), [Gary Goetzman](https://film.one/person/gary-goetzman.md), [Judy Craymer](https://film.one/person/judy-craymer.md), [Meryl Streep](https://film.one/person/meryl-streep.md), [Pierce Brosnan](https://film.one/person/pierce-brosnan.md), [Rob Marshall](https://film.one/person/rob-marshall.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 11 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 78 (3), 2000s 71 (4), 2010s 69 (3), 2020s 57 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 64 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 8, Drama 4, Fantasy 3, Romance 3, Crime 2, Family 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,130m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Baranski, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229134, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004724/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11870

## Streaming the US now

- **Paramount+:** [*The Good Wife*](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) (84), [*Chicago*](https://film.one/film/chicago.md) (73)
- **Apple TV:** [*Addams Family Values*](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md) (78), [*Mamma Mia!*](https://film.one/film/mamma-mia.md) (72)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Birdcage*](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md) (81)
- **HBO Max:** [*Miss Sloane*](https://film.one/film/miss-sloane.md) (65)
- **Disney+:** [*Into the Woods*](https://film.one/film/into-the-woods.md) (65)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Christine Baranski

> We value Christine Baranski’s exact comic timing and the authority she brings to drama. The familiar casting as a clever, acerbic woman suits her, though it can leave us wishing someone would ask for something less predictable.

Christine Baranski makes a sophisticated woman’s sharp remark worth waiting for. Her comic timing is the attraction, particularly in ensembles where a supporting actor has limited time to establish someone. We like the assurance, and we like that she can take it into dramatic parts without depending on a joke. The recurrent casting as educated, acerbic women is understandable, though it can make the choice of role feel a little too settled.

*The Birdcage* (1996) offers a good setting for that skill, with Baranski as Katharine Archer in Mike Nichols’s warmly played farce. We were touched by the affection Robin Williams and Nathan Lane brought to the fuss; it gave the comedy something worth caring about. The cast is better than the cautious script, whose eagerness to please takes some force out of the satire.

*Reversal of Fortune* (1990), with Baranski as Andrea Reynolds, puts her in the drier company of Barbet Schroeder’s drama. Jeremy Irons supplies much of its unease, while the fascination with people debating evidence sometimes leaves Sunny feeling like an afterthought. Her reputation cannot be explained by these film appearances alone. Television gave her more sustained work, beginning with the breakthrough of Maryann Thorpe in *Cybill* (1995–1998).

The later television work makes the stronger case for taking her dramatic authority seriously. Diane Lockhart in *The Good Wife* (2009–2016) is central to that change of emphasis, followed by *The Good Fight* (2017–2022) and Agnes van Rhijn in *The Gilded Age* (2022). The familiar sophistication remains, but the legal and period roles draw on the nuance as well as the wit. We would welcome casting that asks something less expected of her; until then, start with *The Birdcage*, allowing for a script rather less sharp than its actors.

## Biography

Christine Jane Baranski is an American actress. She was born on 2 May 1952 in Buffalo, New York, and trained at the Juilliard School, graduating with a BFA in 1974.

Baranski began her career on stage and made her film debut in the early 1980s. She appeared as Andrea Reynolds in *Reversal of Fortune* (1990) and as Katharine Archer in *The Birdcage* (1996). Her other film roles include *Cruel Intentions* (1999), *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), *Mamma Mia!* (2008) and its 2018 sequel, *Into the Woods* (2014) and *Trolls* (2016). On television she is known for *Cybill* (1995–1998), *The Big Bang Theory* (2007–2019) and *The Good Wife* (2009–2016).

She has received two Tony Awards for her Broadway performances in *The Real Thing* (1984) and *Rumors* (1989), and a Primetime Emmy Award for *Cybill*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (11)

- *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* (2026), Fi1m 57, as Christine Baranski — [page](https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md)
- *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* (2018), Fi1m 77, as Tanya — [page](https://film.one/film/mamma-mia-here-we-go-again.md)
- *Miss Sloane* (2016), Fi1m 65, as Evelyn Sumner — [page](https://film.one/film/miss-sloane.md)
- *Into the Woods* (2014), Fi1m 65, as Stepmother — [page](https://film.one/film/into-the-woods.md)
- *The Good Wife* (2009), Fi1m 84, as Diane Lockhart — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Mamma Mia!* (2008), Fi1m 72, as Tanya Chesham-Leigh — [page](https://film.one/film/mamma-mia.md)
- *Chicago* (2002), Fi1m 73, as Mary Sunshine — [page](https://film.one/film/chicago.md)
- *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), Fi1m 54, as Martha May Whovier — [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas.md)
- *The Birdcage* (1996), Fi1m 81, as Katharine Archer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md)
- *Addams Family Values* (1993), Fi1m 78, as Becky Martin-Granger — [page](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md)
- *Reversal of Fortune* (1990), Fi1m 75, as Andrea Reynolds — [page](https://film.one/film/reversal-of-fortune.md)

## Complete filmography (84)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *All That She Wants* (2026), Actor
- *Stuart Fails to Save the Universe* (2026), series, as Christine Baranski — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/stuart-fails-to-save-the-universe.md)
- *Praise Petey* (2023), series, as White (voice)
- *The Metropolitan Opera: The Hours* (2022), as Host
- *Hopper: An American Love Story* (2022), as Josephine Hopper (voice)
- *The Gilded Age* (2022), series, as Agnes van Rhijn
- *Nine Perfect Strangers* (2021), series, as Victoria O'Clair
- *Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square* (2020), as Regina Fuller
- *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again* (2018), as Tanya — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/mamma-mia-here-we-go-again.md)
- *Fancy Nancy* (2018), series, as Mrs. Devine (voice)
- *Michael Jackson's Halloween* (2017), as Mrs. Grau (voice)
- *Young Sheldon* (2017), series, as Beverly Hofstadter
- *A Bad Moms Christmas* (2017), as Ruth Mitchell
- *The Good Fight* (2017), series, as Diane Lockhart
- *Miss Sloane* (2016), as Evelyn Sumner — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/miss-sloane.md)
- *Trolls* (2016), as Chef (voice)
- *Sinatra: All or Nothing at All* (2015), series, as Ruth Berle (voice)
- *Into the Woods* (2014), as Stepmother — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/into-the-woods.md)
- *Yellowbird* (2014), as Janet (voice)
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Amanda Hannity (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *Foodfight!* (2012), as Hedda Shopper (voice)
- *Who Is Simon Miller?* (2011), as Amanda
- *Regular Show* (2010), series, as Guardian (voice)
- *The Bounty Hunter* (2010), as Kitty Hurley
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Diane Lockhart — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Mamma Mia!* (2008), as Tanya Chesham-Leigh — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/mamma-mia.md)
- *The Big Bang Theory* (2007), series, as Beverly Hofstadter — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory.md)
- *Ugly Betty* (2006), series, as Victoria Hartley
- *Bonneville* (2006), as Francine Holden Packard
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Alice Clayton
- *Relative Strangers* (2006), as Arleen Clayton
- *Falling for Grace* (2006), as Bree Barrington
- *Recipe for a Perfect Christmas* (2005), as Lee Bellmont
- *Ghost Whisperer* (2005), series, as Faith Clancy
- *Scooby-Doo! in Where's My Mummy?* (2005), as Amelia von Butch (voice)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Homeless Woman (voice)
- *Welcome to Mooseport* (2004), as Charlotte Cole
- *Eloise at Christmastime* (2003), as Prunella Stickler the Events Coordinator
- *Happy Family* (2003), series, as Annie Brennan
- *Marci X* (2003), as Sen. Mary Ellen Spinkle
- *Eloise at the Plaza* (2003), as Prunella Stickler the Events Coordinator
- *Chicago* (2002), as Mary Sunshine — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/chicago.md)
- *Presidio Med* (2002), series, as Dr. Terry Howland
- *The Guru* (2002), as Chantal
- *Timothy Tweedle the First Christmas Elf* (2000), as Flo (voice)
- *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), as Martha May Whovier — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas.md)
- *Welcome to New York* (2000), series, as Marsha Bickner
- *Bowfinger* (1999), as Carol
- *Cruel Intentions* (1999), as Bunny Caldwell
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Newport Heiress (voice), Christine Baranski (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Bulworth* (1998), as Constance Bulworth
- *The Odd Couple II* (1998), as Thelma
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1997), series, Actor
- *The Birdcage* (1996), as Katharine Archer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-birdcage.md)
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Sonja Umdahl
- *Jeffrey* (1995), as Ann Marwood Bartle
- *New Jersey Drive* (1995), as Prosecutor
- *Cybill* (1995), series, as Maryann Thorpe
- *Getting In* (1994), as Mrs. Higgs
- *The War* (1994), as Miss Strapford
- *The Ref* (1994), as Connie Chasseur
- *To Dance with the White Dog* (1993), as Kate
- *Addams Family Values* (1993), as Becky Martin-Granger — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/addams-family-values.md)
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Nora Fairchild — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Life with Mikey* (1993), as Carol
- *The Night We Never Met* (1993), as Lucy
- *Buying a Landslide* (1992), as Blair Bennett
- *Reversal of Fortune* (1990), as Andrea Reynolds — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/reversal-of-fortune.md)
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Katherine Masucci-Beigal, Children's Rights Attorney Rose Siegal — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Christine Baranski (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *The Pick-up Artist* (1987), as Harriet
- *The House of Blue Leaves* (1987), as Bunny Flingus
- *American Masters* (1986), series, as Josephine Nivison Hopper
- *Legal Eagles* (1986), as Carol Freeman
- *Nine 1/2 Weeks* (1986), as Thea
- *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1985), as Helena
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Victoria Baines
- *Crackers* (1984), as Maxine
- *Lovesick* (1983), as Nymphomaniac
- *Soup for One* (1982), as Blonde In Bar
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Bunny Flingus
- *Playing for Time* (1980), as Olga
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, Actor
- *Bad Moms' Moms*, as Ruth

## Gallery

- ![Christine Baranski](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-3db5b1a77f99.jpg) Christine Baranski — iDominick, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/99/Christine_Baranski_at_2015_PaleyFes_cropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-a1a5cf11b270.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%281%29.jpg/1280px-Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-725a4503dff9.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2810%29.jpg/1280px-Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2810%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-965fe70df67f.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2811%29.jpg/1280px-Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2811%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christine Baranski](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-e4ea1657bdb1.jpg) Christine Baranski — Image via TMDB
- ![Christine Baranski](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-69441937acb6.jpg) Christine Baranski — Image via TMDB
- ![Christine Baranski](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-dfb19dec96a7.jpg) Christine Baranski — Image via TMDB
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-207e6ead1fd0.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2812%29.jpg/1280px-Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2812%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-f45b07ebf089.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Christine Baranski, Julianna Margulies, Mary Beth Peil, Matt Czuchry 70th Annual Peabody Awards Luncheon Waldorf= (2011) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2813%29.jpg/1280px-Christine_Baranski%2C_Julianna_Margulies%2C_Mary_Beth_Peil%2C_and_Matt_Czuchry%2C_May_2011_%2813%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christine Baranski](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-6cad0f1095c2.jpg) Christine Baranski — Image via TMDB
- ![Christine Baranski](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-a817b7f8c512.jpg) Christine Baranski — Image via TMDB
- ![Christine Baranski](https://film.one/media/person/77738/gallery-ee808707d3df.jpg) Christine Baranski — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1995: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Cybill*

### SAG Awards — 3 won

- 2002: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (won), for *Chicago*
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (won), for *The Birdcage*
- 1996: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Cybill*

### Other awards — 6 won, 1 nominated

- European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film 2019: European Film Award – People's Choice Award for Best European Film (nominated), for *Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again*
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble 2002: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Acting Ensemble (won), for *Chicago*
- American Comedy Awards 1996: American Comedy Awards (won), for *Cybill*
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play 1992: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (won), for *Lips Together, Teeth Apart*
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1989: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play 1984: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (won), for *The Real Thing*
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1984: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/christine-baranski